Right, football. Spring practice has been going on all this time, and people less basketball/hockey addled than I have been tracking what's going on. We'll start with defense because I didn't even get to them last swing. Let's get caught up. Quick hitters:

• DL: Morris is everybody's dude. Weird names appearing.
• LB: Barrett back to being in the ILB mix. Mullings moonlighting at RB.
• CB/Nk: Will Johnson hype is a go! McBurroughs is hurt. Sainristil seems to be at nickel. Eamonn Dennis moved to offense.
• S: Rod Moore is hurt.
• First female grad assistant in program/P5 history.

[After THE JUMP: defensive derrings do]

Defensive Tackle

What we want to hear: Jenkins is exploding, Mazi is an All-American, and Rayshawn Benny is an unstoppable hellbeast. Jeter changed his mind and is coming back to Ann Arbor.

What we're hearing: Mazi!

Mazi Smith, right off the jump, Mazi Smith is playing really well. Expecting great things from Mazi. He looks tremendous. Kris Jenkins, Taylor Upshaw, a whole list of guys we’re really excited about. Braiden McGregor, Mike Morris. The state of Michigan football is scary good right now.”

The last bit made headlines a few weeks ago. More recently DC Jesse Minter pointed to Smith first as an example of a veteran he's excited about:

“From his ability to take up space, but also his ability to make plays … there were times where last year where it was like, ‘hey — the inside guys are going to do this so these guys on the outside can eat,’” he said. “I think Mazi is going to be a playmaker for us, and we’re going to try to do some things with him.

And Smith was made available to the press:

Via multiple accounts, whenever Smith and Olu Oluwatimi go head-to-head in practice it's must-watch stuff, harkening back to the heady days of Molk v Martin, or that one spring when Mason Cole and Ryan Glasgow were battling.

The Jansen podcast pointed to the guy they (and I) think will step in for Hinton:

Harbaugh also mentioned Kris Jenkins as a standout early in practice. Jenkins is the leader to take over the DT position left by Hinton's departure to the NFL.

That's also the truth according to Hinton, who mentioned all the guys but in a Jenkins and the kids way:

Hinton said. “Kris Jenkins is also a great football player and I feel like he’s going to flourish this year. Rayshaun Benny, that’s the big one. He has a lot of special talent. You have Dom Giudice, George Rooks, a handful of kids in that sophomore class that needs to take that step this year. … Rayshaun has some intangible skills that you can’t teach. He’s a monster and a dog. I have high expectations for Rayshaun. I have a high amount of confidence that he can fulfill those expectations.”

My practice observer saw Jenkins running with the ones, and serving as one of the veterans when they broke into groups, which was also Hinton's role last year.

Past the ones it's all sunshine and roses. Balas also mentioned($) Jenkins and Rayshaun Benny as having a "good spring" and "opening eyes," and George Rooks popped up($) in the last pair of ITFs($) as a guy getting to the quarterback. Jansen called out Benny as a guy he'll be watching out for this spring. Mason Graham "is a beast"($) an insider told Rivals' Josh Henschke.

Taylor Upshaw was asked to name a guy who's come the furthest from last year to this and named Benny, then remembered Jenkins called him "a freak."

But clearly Michigan still wants help here after —Sam said as much on our podcast. When I ran down the 28 tickets I included Donovan Jeter, despite him making some moves to move on, because I had someone from the program confident he could be turned around. Via Rivals, it sounds like he's been turned around:

that appears to have changed on Monday as two sources independently verified that not only was Donovan Jeter at Schembechler Hall, he was also on the practice field, too. It turns out that Jeter was looking towards the portal route for his final year but ultimately decided to return to the program next season.

I don't know if he tripped any NCAA wires in his absence, but count me among the happiest to hear it. At a position where experience matters a ton, without Jeter Michigan would be returning 38% of DT snaps I charted; with him that climbs to 61%.

I also don't know how that affects their plans with transfers, but it seems like that's moving ahead. Balas believes Michigan will land UCF transfer DT Cam Goode($, info in title), though he seems to be a lot more confident than the other sites. Goode would have two years left to play. A visit is locked in but that date isn't public.

What it means: If they're working Jeter to come back and playing the transfer portal, they're not comfortable with what they have after the starters. I want to believe the Jenkins hype but it's coming mixed with Benny and Rooks talk, and that talk is coming in terms of what people want to see, or flashes. It's a marked contrast to the way they were talking about Smith when he was about to pop last year.

I still think Jenkins is going to win the job, but this job requires heavy rotation, and Speight and Welschof (moved to DE) and Whittley were the depth after Jeter last year, so it makes sense that they're looking for help to shore that up. I assume Benny is a year away from a true explosion, but we'll get to see some flashes this year. Rooks and Graham are probably going to flash next year and be a big part of the DL afterwards.

Defensive End/OLB

[Barron]

What we want to hear: David Ojabo and Aidan Hutchinson were cloned. They were also holding off some incredible talent, and there's a very good explanation for why we didn't see it last year like we did when Winovich was coming up behind Taco, etc. Comparisons to Kwity Paye.

What we're hearing: Everyone knows it's going to be a dropoff; not only did Michigan lose a great player and one of the greatest in program history, but analyst Ryan Osborn, who did a lot of the work with the DEs, went to the Ravens.

The biggest mystery of the offseason—who's going to be the first seize one of the edge jobs opened by Hutchinson and Ojabo—is already answered. Harbaugh said in his presser last week that he had an idea:

The state of Michigan football is scary good right now. Mike Morris could be the next Aidan Hutchinson, Ojabo. There’s some really exciting things going on on the defensive line.

Then Josh Ross claimed Morris was "about to be elite" in the fall. And in case that wasn't clear enough, they made Morris available to the media, who asked, and were answered…

“I feel like I have no choice,” he said Monday afternoon. “Who else is it gonna be? I feel like I have to; I feel like I'm holding myself to that standard. It’s going to be me.

And Aidan Hutchinson pointed at Morris (and Smith) as his successor. The talk was all of Morris outside but this from Minter's presser shows he's at least aware that Morris can swing between DT and OLB.

“[Then], Mike Morris is a guy who is champing at the bit to be an every down player. I think coach Mac [former Michigan coordinator Mike Macdonald] used him well last year. He did a lot of different things for him. He was an extremely important piece in how he was able to manipulate fronts, let those guys on the edges go.”

Morris himself comped himself to Za'Darius Smith, or more Mike Danna (IE he's a power rusher) as opposed to the agility of Kwity Paye. Mazi Smith emphasized the versatility:

“He’s a real long guy … and he’ll use all that to his advantage,” Smith said. “Great player … utility guy. He can play anywhere across the line, especially when he puts his mind to it. “He going to have a great year. A great year.”

It's clear they see him as a rising star on the defense, though it's rumored Michigan's newest grad assistant once called Morris "an annoying little dweeb."

Other than Morris, things are looking good for my hopes that McGregor pushes the guys getting more snaps last year. Minter on the Jansen pod:

“Taylor Upshaw is a guy that is tough and rugged. He plays like a Michigan defensive player is supposed to play… A guy I’ve been pleasantly surprised with is Braiden McGregor. I think he has potential to be a high-end edge player as we continue to grow.

Upshaw was picked to address the media, and described himself as a versatile player who can cover TEs or RBs, rush from the edge, or from 3-tech. He and fellow NFL son

I know it's early to be surfing for TJ Guy talk but Henschke turned up some anyways:

One source in particular mentioned TJ Guy as someone who has been excelling early, saying that he is 'playing great.'

Be Kwityyyyyyy!

What it means: The kind of talk Morris is getting is usually reserved for senior captains they think are massively important to the program, but that doesn't mean an All-American season is coming. They spoke that way about Josh Ross and Brad Hawkins too. Morris has a starting spot on lockdown, but "pretty good Big Ten starter" is probably more realistic than coming close to Hutchinson's production.

The Upshaw stuff is confirmation he's a guy they trust in there; McGregor's mention is an excellent sign since they'd be mum on him if something wasn't happening there.

None of this alleviates the concern of the offseason, which is that Michigan won't be able to get any edge-bending out of this group. They can shove, but I'm going to be watching closely for any signs that McGregor or a young 'un can do the Uche thing.

Linebacker

Mullings: No club, joining them. [Barron]

What we want to hear: Lightbulb time for Junior Colson. One of the next generation is pushing him and Hill-Green.

What we're hearing: Minter's talk of Junior Colson inspired the "Guy we're building the defense around" headlines you might have seen. Here's the actual quote:

“When you go down to the next level, Junior Colson is a guy we’ve got to build this defense around. He’s a potential high level player when you talk about college and potentially down the line at the next level.

“But I also think we have some real depth at inside ‘backer with those guys. Nikhai, Kalel and Mike Barrett all have capabilities of having roles within this defense.”

Balas also reported that Kalel Mullings is getting a look at running back($), since they're a little short on bodies there—details on how that's going at the link. I'll add that Wisconsin(!) was interested in Mullings at RB so it's not a crazy idea, except I think they're going to need to find enough linebacker depth to warrant it.

What it means: That's a pretty succinct and unsurprising starting group. If Mullings wasn't 4th or higher on the depth chart I think he'd already be with the running backs; that they're only doing "both ways" says he's needed at ILB. The Colson talk is still of potential, not the present, unfortunately. The easiest way to see this defense taking a step forward would be a big sophomore leap from him. Hill-Green is apparently a tentative #1 beside him, and Barrett is close behind. The "having roles within this defense" part of Minter's quote could suggest they're going to platoon those two between run/rush situations, which isn't the worst idea.

It doesn't sound like we're going to get a big breakout spring from Hood or McLaurin, IE last year's freshmen. Most likely they're going into the year with Colson and NHG the starters, Barrett the SAM and quasi-starter rotation guy at WILL, and Mullings the next man in.

Nickel

What we want to hear: Next Dax up.

What we're hearing: Next Daxii hurt. The two guys who looked most plausible to fill in here were Rod Moore (coming down from safety) and Jaden McBurrows, but they're both out this spring, Moore after surgery and McBurrows for whatever shut him down last year.

In their stead the coaches moved slot receiver Mike Sainristil over, and from the talk of the program that is going to stick. Harbaugh:

On Mike Sainristil working at cornerback

He is right now, yeah. Mike has been playing corner and nickel corner for the start of the spring ball. Project him as a two-way player, maybe a three-way player.

On why Sainristil moved to CB

His skill-set. He’s got the skill-set for it. He’s got the skill-set for receiver, he’s got the skill-set for corner, for nickel corner. Skill-set reminds me a lot of Jimmy Ward and what he had in college. Yeah, skill-set.

It didn't take long for Sweetness to endear himself to Minter.

“Mikey has been one of my favorite guys to see throughout the first part of spring, just on both sides of the ball. He plays with a level of toughness and maturity. He’s a really good football player. … His ability on defense: he has a great grasp of what we’re trying to do. Zone coverages and where the spaces are."

On3's Clayton Safie made Sainristil and the move the subject of a feature that makes it pretty clear we're talking about the Dax Hill role:

On his own, he’s also studying Hill and other NFL defensive backs to pull from their games. “Definitely looking at last year’s defense, and just watching that position itself — whether it’s Dax, guys similar to my body type in the NFL.”

It's really been the talk of spring. He picked off a McNamara throw to AJ Henning early on and kept going.

What it means: My initial take that this was a short-term thing to fill an injury hole and cross-train the guy seems to be dying in the face of Sainristil's impressive play at his new position. I wouldn't say it means he's going to be a star. Sainristil is a program guy who's already earned the coaches' trust on offense and special teams, and that's the kind of guy you talk up. Do you remember when Courtney Avery going to "safety" was the talk of spring in 2011? That ended up meaning Troy Woolfolk was still hobbled, and Thomas Gordon wasn't really athletic enough to survive in the slot, but they were trying it anyways. Avery also made the interception to secure a victory over Ohio State. Sainristil could be awesome here, but my expectations are he's doing alright, but very visibly, and the other guys they were planning on (Moore in a 4-3, McBurrows in the nickel) are unavailable. Zeke Berry arrives in fall too—this game isn't over. It's also definitely changed.

Cornerback

What we want to hear: Gimme every molecule of Will Johnson, and if you've got any breath left (you shouldn't), tell me that Gemon Green went to a sports psychologist and that solved whatever happens to him when the ball arrives.

What we're hearing: All the oxygen is needed to feed the flames of Will Johnson hype. Minter:

“When you go somewhere and it’s like hey, there’s this five-star recruit that’s an early enrollee, maybe the top corner in the country — I wasn’t really sure what it would look like,” he said. “But it’s looked really, really good. It’s met my expectations.

Henschke's source is either Deon Johnson or someone who loves Will that much:

Will Johnson continues to get praise heaped on him for his play early on, this is from a separate source, which means we've had multiple sources confirm that Johnson is excelling during spring ball. Keon Sabb has also received praise from multiple sources as well. While his play is strong, we were told that Johnson has been on another level compared to everyone else.

Brice Marich's source is getting the same. Chris Balas's guy is also telling him what Chris and I want to believe($):

Will Johnson got off to an incredible start. He is going to play, probably in the mix at corner (opinion – he’ll start, and he, Sainristil and DJ Turner are the best trio) and is “different.” He had two picks in one of the first padded practices, is always around the ball and plays at a different speed.

Trust me, subscribers for $1, you'll want to see what else there was there. I'll add from an observer who emails me that Green and Turner are the top pair with Sainristil at nickel right now, and Johnson is in the "show us what you've got" phase.

What it means: The real battle is this fall. It also doesn't have to be a battle, since they will need all of Turner, Green, Johnson, McBurrows, and Sainristil to field a nickel defense with any depth this fall.

Safety

What we want to hear: RJ Moten being talked about like he's Brad Hawkins, as opposed to Brad Hawkins being talked about like he was the only Brad Hawkins.

What we're hearing: Old Man Moten was made available to the media. He comes off as gloriously boring:

Did you get anything from that? No. Is this the type of person who's going to spend at least half an hour talking about how he set up a Plex server? Absolutely. Is that what I want out of my safeties? You know it. Minter:

Third-year Michigan sophomore R.J. Moten has also done a “tremendous job” in the early going, having taken his play at safety to the next level. “He got his feet wet last year — he’s becoming a leader,” Minter said. “He’s becoming a real cerebral thinker. To me, safety is a position I’ve always had my hands on throughout my career. It’s like, ‘can you be a problem solver? So, can you anticipate things? Can you figure out things that are going to happen before they happen? I think R.J. is becoming that type of player.”

Ah, but can he catch the thing he anticipa…sorry sorry

/goes to chalkboard

I WILL NOT JOSH METELLUS RJ MOTEN
I WILL NOT JOSH METELLUS RJ MOTEN
I WILL NOT..

That's spilled over into Balas talking about the guys getting snaps in Moore's absence:

Safety Makari Paige is filling in for Rod Moore (out this spring after surgery), while R.J. Moten is the stalwart there. Paige has improved, but Keon Sabb is playing back there, too, and he’s a specimen He’s one of the freshmen that “passes the look test getting off the bus,” and there are a lot of them.

Rivals' Josh Henschke mentioned Sabb twice($):

continue to hear good things about Keon Sabb. Still working as a safety and linebacker but his athleticism continues to garner rave reviews.

What it means: Some Caden Kolesar disrespect I'll tell you what. The rest isn't unusual; Paige was the next guy in last season (after Kolesar) and the first guy in at the start of 2020, and you're going to pay attention to the five-star early enrollee. You can't really tell more since the plan this year is still to play Moore with Moten, and insert a cornerback (Sainristil) at nickel when they have Moore back.

The crickets when it comes to Jordan Morant in his third season are ominous; it may be the injury to his foot changed something, or maybe it's just not happening, though with the COVID year and a redshirt (he appeared in just 3 games) last season Morant is technically still a freshman. Still gotta press the "getting late early" button, since Morant's now been passed by both classmates, Johnny Kolesar's boy, and one true freshman. He in turn passed Quinten Johnson, Jalen Perry, and German Green. I wouldn't count hype for a blue chip recruit as "passing" but if Sabb and fall enrollee Damani Dent get on the field first it's probably not happening for Morant. It's probably not happening for the seniors.

Etc.

Hello: Graduate assistant Milan "Mimi" Bolden-Morris. Mike Morris's older sister, who played basketball at Georgetown but grew up around football became the first female graduate assistant in the history of Michigan football, or any Power 5 program for that matter. How it went down:

“Mimi reached out and expressed an interest in our graduate assistant positions when we had multiple openings this spring. We had some great conversations and I came away extremely impressed with her desire and ideas for coaching, and for making us better as a team. Mimi is a very bright, intelligent and competitive young woman who will be a great addition to our program and offensive coaching staff. We look forward to having Mimi transition into this role working with our quarterbacks. We can’t wait to see the new perspective she brings to our team.”

Angelique has the details on all the assistants' contracts. Michigan also added two former Jaguars to the staff: Harbaugh's close friend Tom Gamble, and our beloved Denard Robinson. This year's trip is going to visit upper Michigan. They should check out the place where gravity doesn't work.