Tell Me About Michigan

notre dame joe · August 4

4 hours ago, SimkinsMan said:

If you bothered to read the article, that's exactly what they did.

Why do people just not replace the cell phone instead of deleting files that can be recovered?

Mitch Cumsteen · August 4

2 hours ago, notre dame joe said:

Why do people just not replace the cell phone instead of deleting files that can be recovered?

The same reason they don’t make the entire plane out of the black box?

NWBuck · August 5

5 hours ago, GreenspointTexas said:

Pure michigan

Fixed it for the department of tourism

Bozo_Casanova · August 5

J’amuse

Edited August 5 by Bozo_Casanova

Hornius Emeritus · August 5

34 minutes ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

J’amuse

Well, hell. I hope the NCAA doesn't come for my phone.

Coelenterate Fuccboi · August 5

7 hours ago, Hornius Emeritus said:

Well, hell. I hope the NCAA doesn't come while reading my phone.

Tex Long · August 5

That was released or "leaked" by someone at NCAA? Seems like a remarkably chickenshit thing to do. I wouldn't think ill of someone with an M hat on who happened upon that person and whipped his ass thoroughly.

BurntOrange&White · August 7

MuellerHorn · August 7

18 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

NCAA: "He's a cheater in a multitude of ways and no one is allowed to hire him for the next four seasons without a year-long suspension."

Also NCAA: "Here's your title trophy you earned. Congratulations!"

Fuck this organization and all the ways they are corrupt and incompetent.

Edited August 7 by MuellerHorn

Funk Doctor Spock · August 7

You gonna be at the game, @Juicy?

Tex Long · August 7

NC2A is such an asshole organization. Comes across as being full of the pettiest douchebags in America. I'd like to see the media publish the names, images, and likenesses of every cocksucker in that organization - along with every other one of them who have anything to do with it, whether they suck cock or not.

Machinator · August 7

closetojumping · August 7

1 minute ago, Machinator said:

I respect Harbaugh's troll game enough to believe that, after he's simultaneously elevated the Chargers to their greatest heights since 1994 and alienated ownership to the point that they want him out, that he'll be ready for one more run in the NCAA, likely 5 years from now. He's a cheating shit head, but he's at least entertaining as a villain.

Tex Long · August 7

"Our job is to be entertaining, that's all." -- Abe Saperstein

Juicy · August 7

1 hour ago, Spider2YBanana said:

You gonna be at the game, @Juicy?

I had fully planned on it, but then the wife really wanted to go see Blake Shelton, which I didn't realize was the same damn day until I had already bought the tickets.....

Juicy · August 7

On 8/5/2024 at 8:56 AM, Tex Long said:

That was released or "leaked" by someone at NCAA? Seems like a remarkably chickenshit thing to do. I wouldn't think ill of someone with an M hat on who happened upon that person and whipped his ass thoroughly.

The constant "leaks" to Thamel through out all of this has turned this from a one day story to a 9 month long story. The fact that people think this is about signgate and not recruiting 4 years ago is a win for all of the clicks.

Harbaugh is done in college, even if he flames out with the chargers he can't go back, by the time he tries he will have another 3+ years of show cause for lack of institutional control, oversight and the other travisshamockery.

Thanks for last season, and in hindsight glad he jumped to the chargers, this would be such a cluster fuck if he was still in AA.

Funk Doctor Spock · August 7

7 minutes ago, Juicy said:

I had fully planned on it, but then the wife really wanted to go see Blake Shelton, which I didn't realize was the same damn day until I had already bought the tickets.....

Looks like a divorce is in order, bud. My condolences

Juicy · August 7

Just now, Spider2YBanana said:

Looks like a divorce is in order, bud. My condolences

hahahah. I told her we had 2 options, head up there Friday night and watch the game at the casino. Or wait until 330 and drive up the day of. Shockingly she agreed to watch the game at home.

Funk Doctor Spock · August 7

Just now, Juicy said:

hahahah. I told her we had 2 options, head up there Friday night and watch the game at the casino. Or wait until 330 and drive up the day of. Shockingly she agreed to watch the game at home.

Man, what a bummer. Make her pay you back and y'all make a trip down here to Austin.

Juicy · August 7

24 minutes ago, Spider2YBanana said:

Man, what a bummer. Make her pay you back and y'all make a trip down here to Austin.

If Michigan still has a football team by the time that game is played we are in for sure. I could do a friday night meet up so I can take my lumps in person. I will make sure I am wearing my defending champions gear to my roasting.

choripan · August 7

Here's your UM scouting report:

Coaching: Lot of good coaches. Moore did well when Harbaugh out last season, but can he do it as the man? We shall see. Tough schedule this year, especially with UT out-of-conference.

QB: Total wildcard. We have the athletic wizard with a cannon in Orji, a good game manager transfer in Tuttle, and a kinda hybrid in Warren. Orji is lowest floor, highest ceiling. The outcome here is the difference between a great season and something like 8-4.
RB: Excellent. Edwards is a 5* that panned out and the backup Mullings would start and do well at most other schools.
WR: Who knows? Morris smoked Bama's secondary last year, Semaj Morgan is a great jitterbug, and we have some talented guys who haven't seen much of the field. Definitely talented, but production?
TE: Top-15 draft pick next year in Loveland, the more in-line guy who I can't remember is also really good. This is a strength.
OL: A number of guys with spot starting experience and they all performed well. If Moore's experience as OL coach is any indication, at least 3-4 of the positions will be plus and we'll be at least average at the other 1-2.
DT: God-level. Top-10 pick in Graham and Grant is 1st rounder. Solid depth.
DE: Heavy talent, light on experience. Should be good but not great, like I'd expect from the OL.
LB: Hearing great things about Hausmann and the other guy I can't remember, writing this off the cuff.
CB: Top-5 pick stud in Will Johnson. Other side could be a weakness, though. Who knows?
S: Loaded. Two-deep with guys who are at least quality starters. Big position battle.
Special Teams: Don't have a clue. Nerds will kick balls and athletic dudes will return them.

Intangibles: Team seems to be coming together over this NCAA stuff. Our strawman joke is that it was "about a hamburger" but if you look at the source material, the key things are buying a couple of meals for recruits and their families during the covid dead period, buying a $100 entry to a charity golf outing affiliated with the family member of a recruit, and (no joke) assisting a recruit with getting verified on Instagram. The rub is that we essentially went between telling the NCAA to fuck off, in not so many words, and ignoring them, especially in light of what had recently happened at UNC, Tennessee, etc.

If QB pans out, I could see an easy Michigan win. If QB is weak, I can see an easy Texas win. Middle-of-the-road, I see a good game between a probably-better Texas team and a playing-at-home Michigan team. Looking forward to it!

Horn of Gabriel · August 7

4 hours ago, MuellerHorn said:

NCAA: "He's a cheater in a multitude of ways and no one is allowed to hire him for the next four seasons without a year-long suspension."

Also NCAA: "Here's your title trophy you earned. Congratulations!"

Fuck this organization and all the ways they are corrupt and incompetent.

The NCAA doesn't give the title trophy, the CFP does. NCAA != CFP and the NCAA can't revoke a title they never gave for that reason.

It's popular to bash the NCAA. Remember that the NCAA was created at the behest of and with the buy-in and support of the universities that created it, like UT and all of our new SEC friends, the B1G members, and so on. They created the NCAA to do what they struggled to do themselves but wanted, which was to provide governance and more importantly to be a punching bag for all the unpopular decisions they didn't want to put their stamp on, like scholarship limits, academic standards, retaining amateurism, and penalizing rule breakers.

It's a heck of a lot easier to sit back and say "those corrupt fat fucks at the NCAA are holding us down" "They're the ones preventing athletes from monetizing their NIL!" Why do you think the NCAA did any of that? Why do you think they held on so long that they get bitchslapped at the SCOTUS? It wasn't for fun, it was because their membership wanted it.

Now with all the money in major college football, there is a schism in the NCAA membership between the have's like UT in Power 2 and the have not's in the G7 and below. With the P2 programs turning profit it's no longer a "sports problem," it's a "sports opportunity" and the university presidents at those places are starting to care more. Board members like Eltife are even getting involved at a level previously not seen publicly. The power conferences are going to split off soon in football to establish more permissive rules for scholarships, recruiting, etc. They will form a new body, like the NCAA but just for major college football. The NCAA won't die, they don't even want to govern major college football because they don't make money on it and only get headaches.

So yeah I can empathize with NCAA, they're stuck in the middle between stakeholders who want diametrically opposed things. They can't pick a winner because their membership is both. They can't split the middle either. Every choice is a losing choice for them. They've also had some truly foot-in-the-mouth leadership along the way too, which doesn't help.

Also fuck you for making me defend the NCAA.

Deej · August 7

4 hours ago, Juicy said:

I had fully planned on it, but then the wife really wanted to go see Blake Shelton, which I didn't realize was the same damn day until I had already bought the tickets.....

WelfareBuysMyWeed · August 8

Jim Harbaugh to NCAA:

WelfareBuysMyWeed · August 8

5 hours ago, Horn of Gabriel said:

The NCAA doesn't give the title trophy, the CFP does. NCAA != CFP and the NCAA can't revoke a title they never gave for that reason.

It's popular to bash the NCAA. Remember that the NCAA was created at the behest of and with the buy-in and support of the universities that created it, like UT and all of our new SEC friends, the B1G members, and so on. They created the NCAA to do what they struggled to do themselves but wanted, which was to provide governance and more importantly to be a punching bag for all the unpopular decisions they didn't want to put their stamp on, like scholarship limits, academic standards, retaining amateurism, and penalizing rule breakers.

It's a heck of a lot easier to sit back and say "those corrupt fat fucks at the NCAA are holding us down" "They're the ones preventing athletes from monetizing their NIL!" Why do you think the NCAA did any of that? Why do you think they held on so long that they get bitchslapped at the SCOTUS? It wasn't for fun, it was because their membership wanted it.

Now with all the money in major college football, there is a schism in the NCAA membership between the have's like UT in Power 2 and the have not's in the G7 and below. With the P2 programs turning profit it's no longer a "sports problem," it's a "sports opportunity" and the university presidents at those places are starting to care more. Board members like Eltife are even getting involved at a level previously not seen publicly. The power conferences are going to split off soon in football to establish more permissive rules for scholarships, recruiting, etc. They will form a new body, like the NCAA but just for major college football. The NCAA won't die, they don't even want to govern major college football because they don't make money on it and only get headaches.

So yeah I can empathize with NCAA, they're stuck in the middle between stakeholders who want diametrically opposed things. They can't pick a winner because their membership is both. They can't split the middle either. Every choice is a losing choice for them. They've also had some truly foot-in-the-mouth leadership along the way too, which doesn't help.

Also fuck you for making me defend the NCAA.

The NCAA recognizes football BCS/CFP/AP national champions, and has vacated them in the past as well:

https://www.ncaa.com/history/football/fbs

See the asterisk next to Southern Cal in 2004? Read the comment associated. They can absolutely, 100% vacate Michigan's participation in the national championship game, even retroactively, because they have in the past.

Edited August 8 by WelfareBuysMyWeed

Funk Doctor Spock · August 8

Just because I'm petty I hope they do it.

redswingline · August 8

11 hours ago, Tex Long said:

I'd like to see the media publish the names, images, and likenesses of every cocksucker in that organization -

the great think about the cork soaking

is that while you are soaking the cork, you can also massage the grapes

Horn of Gabriel · August 8

2 hours ago, WelfareBuysMyWeed said:

The NCAA recognizes football BCS/CFP/AP national champions, and has vacated them in the past as well:

https://www.ncaa.com/history/football/fbs

See the asterisk next to Southern Cal in 2004? Read the comment associated. They can absolutely, 100% vacate Michigan's participation in the national championship game, even retroactively, because they have in the past.

That means less than nothing. An asterisk, oh no! They can't take the trophy back. There is no effective punishment the NCAA can dole out. Post-season ban? Punishes future players who had nothing to do with the infraction. Punish the coach? Oh the one who is gone to the NFL now? Fines? UM will laugh at that and can afford it. Scholarship reductions? The boosters will replace them with NIL deals of equal or more value.

If this were Texas we'd have our middle finger held high for the world to see as we basked in our championship. The UM alumnus I know are doing the same. If I ask them would they rather have a Championship* or Lloyd Carr the answer is crystal clear. So yeah they cheated and they got away with it. If you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin'

WelfareBuysMyWeed · August 8

2 hours ago, Horn of Gabriel said:

That means less than nothing. An asterisk, oh no! They can't take the trophy back. There is no effective punishment the NCAA can dole out. Post-season ban? Punishes future players who had nothing to do with the infraction. Punish the coach? Oh the one who is gone to the NFL now? Fines? UM will laugh at that and can afford it. Scholarship reductions? The boosters will replace them with NIL deals of equal or more value.

If this were Texas we'd have our middle finger held high for the world to see as we basked in our championship. The UM alumnus I know are doing the same. If I ask them would they rather have a Championship* or Lloyd Carr the answer is crystal clear. So yeah they cheated and they got away with it. If you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin'

You're the one queefing about how there is absolutely nothing the NCAA can do, we're saying updating the fucking website is the bare minimum. Also I've been an astros fan since I was a kid, went to every home opener going back to the 80's. Watched so, so fucking many years where they were dogshit but didn't care, still went. I'm not indignant about the uproar over the signal bullshit from 17, I absolutely do not hold my middle finger up about that shit. How about you have some standards and stop being a rolled over bitch? Cheaters fucking suck.

Edited August 8 by WelfareBuysMyWeed

Horn of Gabriel · August 8

5 hours ago, WelfareBuysMyWeed said:

You're the one queefing about how there is absolutely nothing the NCAA can do, we're saying updating the fucking website is the bare minimum. Also I've been an astros fan since I was a kid, went to every home opener going back to the 80's. Watched so, so fucking many years where they were dogshit but didn't care, still went. I'm not indignant about the uproar over the signal bullshit from 17, I absolutely do not hold my middle finger up about that shit. How about you have some standards and stop being a rolled over bitch? Cheaters fucking suck.

You need to go smoke some of that weed and chill the fuck out. I never said cheaters don't suck, so get those words outta my mouth. I said the NCAA can't do shit about it, and that's by design.

Mitch Cumsteen · August 8

20 hours ago, closetojumping said:

I respect Harbaugh's troll game enough to believe that, after he's simultaneously elevated the Chargers to their greatest heights since 1994 and alienated ownership to the point that they want him out, that he'll be ready for one more run in the NCAA, likely 5 years from now. He's a cheating shit head, but he's at least entertaining as a villain.

In the ncaa report, it was noted that Harbaugh ate a bacon cheeseburger for breakfast. At that rate, dude will be lucky to be ambulatory in five years.

Machinator · August 8

Juicy · August 9

Not breakfast and tours.... The horror.

Meanwhile in the SEC

Quote

regular cash payments — $5,000 here, $6,000 there — given directly to parents of recruits by former Tennessee Coach Jeremy Pruitt

I guess it is different. When you expect cash and end up with a breakfast cheeseburger and a tour of the football building. Probably a big disappointment.

Head coach handing out envelopes.

Edited August 9 by Juicy

someguy · August 9

since it was no big deal, why did Harbaugh consistently lie about it? Why not be truthful about some supposedly small, technical violations?

Blotto · August 9

On 8/7/2024 at 1:21 PM, Juicy said:

I had fully planned on it, but then the wife really wanted to go see Blake Shelton, which I didn't realize was the same damn day until I had already bought the tickets.....

Good lord that has to be hard to type.

Carl Spackler · August 9

Meatchicken with a big middle finger to the NCAA.

I say fuck you to both the NCAA and the cheating bastages in the Michigan football program.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/40796043/jim-harbaugh-michigan-honorary-captain-opener

WelfareBuysMyWeed · August 10

7 hours ago, Carl Spackler said:

Meatchicken with a big middle finger to the NCAA.

I say fuck you to both the NCAA and the cheating bastages in the Michigan football program.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/40796043/jim-harbaugh-michigan-honorary-captain-opener

The NCAA has the ability to ban people from official NCAA events, but i'm sure Horn up there will be dickriding soon enough to tell us why their hands are just so tied

notre dame joe · August 10

On 8/7/2024 at 10:44 PM, Horn of Gabriel said:

That means less than nothing. An asterisk, oh no! They can't take the trophy back. There is no effective punishment the NCAA can dole out. Post-season ban? Punishes future players who had nothing to do with the infraction. Punish the coach? Oh the one who is gone to the NFL now? Fines? UM will laugh at that and can afford it. Scholarship reductions? The boosters will replace them with NIL deals of equal or more value.

I agree with you. But we have a sizeable faction of fans that throw a hissy fit if someone quotes stats that did not account for the 'vacated wins.'

Ignatius · August 10

On 8/4/2024 at 7:56 PM, Mitch Cumsteen said:

The same reason they don’t make the entire plane out of the black box?

There was one?

closetojumping · August 20

Breakdown of position groups and rankings by The Michigan Insider. I subscribe to the 247 network and read various sites. Theirs seems fine overall. They still have an answer at QB and appear to be collectively going with the notion that "well, we're a defense and run-first school, so QB doesn't really matter." Okay then. The general expectations from that site are that the defense will be really good, which I believe, and that the offense will just eventually figure itself out and beat everyone via smashmouth football. We'll see, said the zen master.

Here you go:

Spoiler

No. 1) Defensive line

Why No. 1? If you count edge as separate from the defensive line (Michigan does, so we do too) this is maybe the best defensive line in the country, and could be one of the best in the Wolverines' history. Mason Graham is one of the most complete players in college football, and was a top-10 defensive tackle against both the pass and the run last fall. Kenneth Grant wasn't far behind him in disrupting the pass, and has a unique size-speed combination that makes him a high-ceiling, intriguing player. Rayshaun Benny is not far behind them, as he snuck in 5.5 tackles and 15 run stops as essentially Michigan's No. 5 defensive lineman last fall.

This trio combined for 18.0 tackles for loss last fall while sharing time with Kris Jenkins and Cam Goode. Depth is a minor concern (keep an eye out for Enow Etta and Trey Pierce), but Michigan has two potential first-round picks and high-caliber third man in Benny. All three have delivered against top offensive linemen in the country, and on the biggest stages in college football.

This story continues below.

No. 2) Tight end

Why No. 2? Colston Loveland was a top-10 tight end in the country in receptions and receiving yards last fall as a sophomore, and figures to play an even bigger role this season with AJ Barner, Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson off to the NFL. Loveland is an athletic, versatile tight end with great hands and a consistent work ethic, leading most publications to view him as a preseason All-American.

This room also brings back Max Bredeson, who was the nation's top run-blocking tight end last fall according to Pro Football Focus. Playing an H-back role with snaps at fullback, Bredeson was on the field for 29 of Michigan's 62 offensive touchdowns last fall, or one in every 8.2 snaps.

Though he isn't proven, the Wolverines are optimistic about the offseason that Marlin Klein has had, and think the speedy, 6-foot-6 tight end can have a Luke Schoonmaker-esque breakout season.

No. 3) Edge

Why No. 3? Like a few defensive position groups, Michigan has a great starting duo at edge in Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore, and questions about the depth behind them. Despite not starting a game last fall, Stewart and Moore combined for 72 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 55 QB pressures and 25 run stops last fall, in a combined 759 snaps. They were effective against top teams — Alabama especially — and were just as good statistically as Michigan starters Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor last fall.

Stewart and Moore are arguably among the top five edge rushers in the Big Ten, and this room beats out a few other rooms because optimism is high about TJ Guy as the No. 3 edge. If Cameron Brandt, Dominic Nichols or others can step up, this room can pick up where last year's left off.

No. 4) Linebacker

Why No. 4? Though Junior Colson and Michael Barrett are gone after two productive seasons running Michigan's linebacker room, the transfer portal has allowed the Wolverines to reload at linebacker. Ernest Hausmann, who spent his freshman year at Nebraska, returns after logging 46 tackles last fall backing up Colson and Barrett. He's a physical, efficient tackler with plus strength at the MIKE position. Joining him will be Maryland transfer Jaishawn Barham, who has been a beast as a pass-rusher, disruptive in coverage and strong as a tackler in two seasons starting in the Big Ten.

Depth is a minor concern here, keeping this room out of our top three. But if one or two of Jimmy Rolder, Jaydon Hood, Micah Pollard and Cole Sullivan can step up, this room will have more than enough size and physicality to shine in the Big Ten.

No. 5) Safety

Why No. 5? Entering the season, this might be the deepest position group on the team. Michigan returns Makari Paige as a two-year starter, and brings back rotation safety Quinten Johnson. They added three-year Tennessee starter Wesley Walker, and Michigan State starter Jaden Mangham to the room. Now former top-60 recruit Zeke Berry and talented sophomore Brandyn Hillman are viewed by coaches as ready for significant roles.

This room will miss the star power, well-rounded game, playmaking and leadership of Rod Moore, who is expected to miss the season due to injury. But with as many as six players it trusts to player starter-level snaps, Michigan's safety room gives the Wolverines room to breathe, and versatility to mix and match for matchups throughout the game and season.

No. 6) Special teams

Why No. 6? A case could be made that this room could be ranked higher. Dominic Zvada arrives to campus 34 for 40 in his career in field goals, including an impressive 14 for 17 on attempts of 40 yards or more. Tommy Doman was a top-10 punter last fall in Pro Football Focus's grades, and ranked second nationally averaging 4.36 seconds in hang time. Michigan also returns the only two long-snappers it has used in the last three seasons.

But with some unknowns in the return game, new faces in the coverage teams and room for Doman to improve as a second-year starter, we'll keep this room in the middle of the pack for now. The ceiling in this room is very high, though.

No. 7) Cornerback

Why No. 7? What's more controversial, that a position group with preseason All-American Will Johnson in it didn't crack the top six of these rankings, or that a position group with two open position battles, and only one player with more than 300 snaps at the Power-Four level didn't make the bottom four of these rankings? Call it a draw at No. 7.

For what it's worth, we might bump this room up if we're predicting how these rooms might look by October. Berry is the favorite to start at nickel, while talented redshirt freshman Jyaire Hill is beating out two transfers and other veterans for the No. 2 cornerback spot. Both drew rave reviews this spring, and have reportedly backed that up this fall.

That Ja'Den McBurrows and Aamir Hall may come off the bench to start the year implies this room is deeper and more talented than it looked in January.

No. 😎 Running back

Why No. 8? This room brings playmaking ability, physicality and depth to the 2024 season, but has a lot to prove on all three fronts with Blake Corum off to the NFL. Donovan Edwards is aiming for a bounce-back year after a strangely down junior season, but his six-carry, 104-yard, two-touchdown showing against Washington in the national championship game was a great start.

Behind him, Kalel Mullings continues to impress coaches and teammates with improved balance and pad level, and his after-contact carries last year (4.14 yards after contact per carry) ranked 11th out of 189 FBS running backs. If big-back Benjamin Hall or decorated freshman Jordan Marshall can step into rotation roles, this could be Michigan's deepest running back room in four years. Still, this room has accomplished less than others above it on this list.

No. 9) Offensive line

Why No. 9? The bad news is that Michigan must replace its top six offensive linemen from last season, who played 4,800 combined snaps last fall and logged 200 career starts in college.

The good news is that Michigan seems well-equipped to do that. Myles Hinton and Josh Priebe have 50 combined starts themselves, and have impressed teammates by mastering the playbook early as transfers (Hinton from Stanford last summer, Priebe from Northwestern this year). Though Giovanni El-Hadi, Greg Crippen and Raheem Anderson were backups the last three years, the former four-star recruits have waited their turns as starters behind award-winning players ahead of them. Two of them should start on Michigan's interior, and the third will be first off the bench.

Though this is an unproven room, Michigan feels great about four of the five starting roles. The fifth spot is the right tackle battle between Andrew Gentry, Jeffrey Persi and others. The good news is that there's a lot of size and recruiting talent at the position.

No. 10) Wide receiver

Why No. 10? In spring practices, this room was last, as it actually had as many scholarship players (five) as the quarterbacks room. Now, things look a little healthier in the room, as Michigan added two transfers (CJ Charleston, Amorion Walker) and two freshmen (Channing Goodwin, I'Marion Stewart) t round out the room.

Tyler Morris and Semaj Morgan are fairly proven playmakers in this room, but Michigan would love to ultimately rotated four or five receivers on a regular basis. Fredrick Moore is a name that gets brought up a lot by those able to witness practices, and Charleston, Goodwin and Walker have intrigued coaches this fall. If two or three of those players can bring it on a regular basis this fall, this room has the chance to climb these rankings.

No. 11) Quarterback

Why No. 11? At other schools, or in different years, seeing the quarterback room last in these rankings might spell doom for the season ahead. But in a run- and defense-heavy program like Michigan, it isn't a dealbreaker, but rather a sign of more proven talent elsewhere.

Of course, this room will try to prove this ranking wrong anyways. Led by Alex Orji, the Wolverines will try to move on from the JJ McCarthy era with high-percentage passes and athletic playmaking. Orji's physical tools are impressive, but he has only attempted one pass in college. In fact, seventh-year senior Jack Tuttle (199 career pass attempts as a backup at Indiana and Michigan) is the only quarterback in the room with even 15 career pass attempts.

That makes the quarterback position one of the true mysteries on Michigan's roster entering the season.

MuellerHorn · August 20

3 hours ago, closetojumping said:

Breakdown of position groups and rankings by The Michigan Insider. I subscribe to the 247 network and read various sites. Theirs seems fine overall. They still have an answer at QB and appear to be collectively going with the notion that "well, we're a defense and run-first school, so QB doesn't really matter." Okay then. The general expectations from that site are that the defense will be really good, which I believe, and that the offense will just eventually figure itself out and beat everyone via smashmouth football. We'll see, said the zen master.

Here you go:

Hide contents

No. 1) Defensive line

Why No. 1? If you count edge as separate from the defensive line (Michigan does, so we do too) this is maybe the best defensive line in the country, and could be one of the best in the Wolverines' history. Mason Graham is one of the most complete players in college football, and was a top-10 defensive tackle against both the pass and the run last fall. Kenneth Grant wasn't far behind him in disrupting the pass, and has a unique size-speed combination that makes him a high-ceiling, intriguing player. Rayshaun Benny is not far behind them, as he snuck in 5.5 tackles and 15 run stops as essentially Michigan's No. 5 defensive lineman last fall.

This trio combined for 18.0 tackles for loss last fall while sharing time with Kris Jenkins and Cam Goode. Depth is a minor concern (keep an eye out for Enow Etta and Trey Pierce), but Michigan has two potential first-round picks and high-caliber third man in Benny. All three have delivered against top offensive linemen in the country, and on the biggest stages in college football.

This story continues below.

No. 2) Tight end

Why No. 2? Colston Loveland was a top-10 tight end in the country in receptions and receiving yards last fall as a sophomore, and figures to play an even bigger role this season with AJ Barner, Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson off to the NFL. Loveland is an athletic, versatile tight end with great hands and a consistent work ethic, leading most publications to view him as a preseason All-American.

This room also brings back Max Bredeson, who was the nation's top run-blocking tight end last fall according to Pro Football Focus. Playing an H-back role with snaps at fullback, Bredeson was on the field for 29 of Michigan's 62 offensive touchdowns last fall, or one in every 8.2 snaps.

Though he isn't proven, the Wolverines are optimistic about the offseason that Marlin Klein has had, and think the speedy, 6-foot-6 tight end can have a Luke Schoonmaker-esque breakout season.

No. 3) Edge

Why No. 3? Like a few defensive position groups, Michigan has a great starting duo at edge in Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore, and questions about the depth behind them. Despite not starting a game last fall, Stewart and Moore combined for 72 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 55 QB pressures and 25 run stops last fall, in a combined 759 snaps. They were effective against top teams — Alabama especially — and were just as good statistically as Michigan starters Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor last fall.

Stewart and Moore are arguably among the top five edge rushers in the Big Ten, and this room beats out a few other rooms because optimism is high about TJ Guy as the No. 3 edge. If Cameron Brandt, Dominic Nichols or others can step up, this room can pick up where last year's left off.

No. 4) Linebacker

Why No. 4? Though Junior Colson and Michael Barrett are gone after two productive seasons running Michigan's linebacker room, the transfer portal has allowed the Wolverines to reload at linebacker. Ernest Hausmann, who spent his freshman year at Nebraska, returns after logging 46 tackles last fall backing up Colson and Barrett. He's a physical, efficient tackler with plus strength at the MIKE position. Joining him will be Maryland transfer Jaishawn Barham, who has been a beast as a pass-rusher, disruptive in coverage and strong as a tackler in two seasons starting in the Big Ten.

Depth is a minor concern here, keeping this room out of our top three. But if one or two of Jimmy Rolder, Jaydon Hood, Micah Pollard and Cole Sullivan can step up, this room will have more than enough size and physicality to shine in the Big Ten.

No. 5) Safety

Why No. 5? Entering the season, this might be the deepest position group on the team. Michigan returns Makari Paige as a two-year starter, and brings back rotation safety Quinten Johnson. They added three-year Tennessee starter Wesley Walker, and Michigan State starter Jaden Mangham to the room. Now former top-60 recruit Zeke Berry and talented sophomore Brandyn Hillman are viewed by coaches as ready for significant roles.

This room will miss the star power, well-rounded game, playmaking and leadership of Rod Moore, who is expected to miss the season due to injury. But with as many as six players it trusts to player starter-level snaps, Michigan's safety room gives the Wolverines room to breathe, and versatility to mix and match for matchups throughout the game and season.

No. 6) Special teams

Why No. 6? A case could be made that this room could be ranked higher. Dominic Zvada arrives to campus 34 for 40 in his career in field goals, including an impressive 14 for 17 on attempts of 40 yards or more. Tommy Doman was a top-10 punter last fall in Pro Football Focus's grades, and ranked second nationally averaging 4.36 seconds in hang time. Michigan also returns the only two long-snappers it has used in the last three seasons.

But with some unknowns in the return game, new faces in the coverage teams and room for Doman to improve as a second-year starter, we'll keep this room in the middle of the pack for now. The ceiling in this room is very high, though.

No. 7) Cornerback

Why No. 7? What's more controversial, that a position group with preseason All-American Will Johnson in it didn't crack the top six of these rankings, or that a position group with two open position battles, and only one player with more than 300 snaps at the Power-Four level didn't make the bottom four of these rankings? Call it a draw at No. 7.

For what it's worth, we might bump this room up if we're predicting how these rooms might look by October. Berry is the favorite to start at nickel, while talented redshirt freshman Jyaire Hill is beating out two transfers and other veterans for the No. 2 cornerback spot. Both drew rave reviews this spring, and have reportedly backed that up this fall.

That Ja'Den McBurrows and Aamir Hall may come off the bench to start the year implies this room is deeper and more talented than it looked in January.

No. 😎 Running back

Why No. 8? This room brings playmaking ability, physicality and depth to the 2024 season, but has a lot to prove on all three fronts with Blake Corum off to the NFL. Donovan Edwards is aiming for a bounce-back year after a strangely down junior season, but his six-carry, 104-yard, two-touchdown showing against Washington in the national championship game was a great start.

Behind him, Kalel Mullings continues to impress coaches and teammates with improved balance and pad level, and his after-contact carries last year (4.14 yards after contact per carry) ranked 11th out of 189 FBS running backs. If big-back Benjamin Hall or decorated freshman Jordan Marshall can step into rotation roles, this could be Michigan's deepest running back room in four years. Still, this room has accomplished less than others above it on this list.

No. 9) Offensive line

Why No. 9? The bad news is that Michigan must replace its top six offensive linemen from last season, who played 4,800 combined snaps last fall and logged 200 career starts in college.

The good news is that Michigan seems well-equipped to do that. Myles Hinton and Josh Priebe have 50 combined starts themselves, and have impressed teammates by mastering the playbook early as transfers (Hinton from Stanford last summer, Priebe from Northwestern this year). Though Giovanni El-Hadi, Greg Crippen and Raheem Anderson were backups the last three years, the former four-star recruits have waited their turns as starters behind award-winning players ahead of them. Two of them should start on Michigan's interior, and the third will be first off the bench.

Though this is an unproven room, Michigan feels great about four of the five starting roles. The fifth spot is the right tackle battle between Andrew Gentry, Jeffrey Persi and others. The good news is that there's a lot of size and recruiting talent at the position.

No. 10) Wide receiver

Why No. 10? In spring practices, this room was last, as it actually had as many scholarship players (five) as the quarterbacks room. Now, things look a little healthier in the room, as Michigan added two transfers (CJ Charleston, Amorion Walker) and two freshmen (Channing Goodwin, I'Marion Stewart) t round out the room.

Tyler Morris and Semaj Morgan are fairly proven playmakers in this room, but Michigan would love to ultimately rotated four or five receivers on a regular basis. Fredrick Moore is a name that gets brought up a lot by those able to witness practices, and Charleston, Goodwin and Walker have intrigued coaches this fall. If two or three of those players can bring it on a regular basis this fall, this room has the chance to climb these rankings.

No. 11) Quarterback

Why No. 11? At other schools, or in different years, seeing the quarterback room last in these rankings might spell doom for the season ahead. But in a run- and defense-heavy program like Michigan, it isn't a dealbreaker, but rather a sign of more proven talent elsewhere.

Of course, this room will try to prove this ranking wrong anyways. Led by Alex Orji, the Wolverines will try to move on from the JJ McCarthy era with high-percentage passes and athletic playmaking. Orji's physical tools are impressive, but he has only attempted one pass in college. In fact, seventh-year senior Jack Tuttle (199 career pass attempts as a backup at Indiana and Michigan) is the only quarterback in the room with even 15 career pass attempts.

That makes the quarterback position one of the true mysteries on Michigan's roster entering the season.

It's interesting to me they rank their TE room second, while the WR and QB groups are ranked second to last, and last, respectively, yet they assume Loveland (starting TE) will have even more success this year in the offense. I guess he'll have to be targeted more since they lack any proven WR targets, or even a QB with any history of passing success.

I'd have to imagine their passing game will have a ton of work to do - especially early in the year. To me, this feels like a game like Bama last year where Texas definitely benefits from facing Michigan's offense early in the year before they've worked out a lot of the kinks. If Texas gets up multiple scores, it sure seems like Michigan will have an awfully hard time coming back. Granted, the Michigan defense is going to be really stout, so we'll see. I think Sark will try to limit the amount of time Quinn needs in the pocket and utilizes all the speed at his disposal at WR, TE, and HB (RPOs, screens, HB swings) to limit Michigan's upside on the defensive front.

Edited August 20 by MuellerHorn

HenryJames · August 20

4 hours ago, closetojumping said:

Breakdown of position groups and rankings by The Michigan Insider. I subscribe to the 247 network and read various sites. Theirs seems fine overall. They still have an answer at QB and appear to be collectively going with the notion that "well, we're a defense and run-first school, so QB doesn't really matter." Okay then. The general expectations from that site are that the defense will be really good, which I believe, and that the offense will just eventually figure itself out and beat everyone via smashmouth football. We'll see, said the zen master.

Here you go:

Reveal hidden contents

No. 1) Defensive line

Why No. 1? If you count edge as separate from the defensive line (Michigan does, so we do too) this is maybe the best defensive line in the country, and could be one of the best in the Wolverines' history. Mason Graham is one of the most complete players in college football, and was a top-10 defensive tackle against both the pass and the run last fall. Kenneth Grant wasn't far behind him in disrupting the pass, and has a unique size-speed combination that makes him a high-ceiling, intriguing player. Rayshaun Benny is not far behind them, as he snuck in 5.5 tackles and 15 run stops as essentially Michigan's No. 5 defensive lineman last fall.

This trio combined for 18.0 tackles for loss last fall while sharing time with Kris Jenkins and Cam Goode. Depth is a minor concern (keep an eye out for Enow Etta and Trey Pierce), but Michigan has two potential first-round picks and high-caliber third man in Benny. All three have delivered against top offensive linemen in the country, and on the biggest stages in college football.

This story continues below.

No. 2) Tight end

Why No. 2? Colston Loveland was a top-10 tight end in the country in receptions and receiving yards last fall as a sophomore, and figures to play an even bigger role this season with AJ Barner, Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson off to the NFL. Loveland is an athletic, versatile tight end with great hands and a consistent work ethic, leading most publications to view him as a preseason All-American.

This room also brings back Max Bredeson, who was the nation's top run-blocking tight end last fall according to Pro Football Focus. Playing an H-back role with snaps at fullback, Bredeson was on the field for 29 of Michigan's 62 offensive touchdowns last fall, or one in every 8.2 snaps.

Though he isn't proven, the Wolverines are optimistic about the offseason that Marlin Klein has had, and think the speedy, 6-foot-6 tight end can have a Luke Schoonmaker-esque breakout season.

No. 3) Edge

Why No. 3? Like a few defensive position groups, Michigan has a great starting duo at edge in Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore, and questions about the depth behind them. Despite not starting a game last fall, Stewart and Moore combined for 72 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 55 QB pressures and 25 run stops last fall, in a combined 759 snaps. They were effective against top teams — Alabama especially — and were just as good statistically as Michigan starters Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor last fall.

Stewart and Moore are arguably among the top five edge rushers in the Big Ten, and this room beats out a few other rooms because optimism is high about TJ Guy as the No. 3 edge. If Cameron Brandt, Dominic Nichols or others can step up, this room can pick up where last year's left off.

No. 4) Linebacker

Why No. 4? Though Junior Colson and Michael Barrett are gone after two productive seasons running Michigan's linebacker room, the transfer portal has allowed the Wolverines to reload at linebacker. Ernest Hausmann, who spent his freshman year at Nebraska, returns after logging 46 tackles last fall backing up Colson and Barrett. He's a physical, efficient tackler with plus strength at the MIKE position. Joining him will be Maryland transfer Jaishawn Barham, who has been a beast as a pass-rusher, disruptive in coverage and strong as a tackler in two seasons starting in the Big Ten.

Depth is a minor concern here, keeping this room out of our top three. But if one or two of Jimmy Rolder, Jaydon Hood, Micah Pollard and Cole Sullivan can step up, this room will have more than enough size and physicality to shine in the Big Ten.

No. 5) Safety

Why No. 5? Entering the season, this might be the deepest position group on the team. Michigan returns Makari Paige as a two-year starter, and brings back rotation safety Quinten Johnson. They added three-year Tennessee starter Wesley Walker, and Michigan State starter Jaden Mangham to the room. Now former top-60 recruit Zeke Berry and talented sophomore Brandyn Hillman are viewed by coaches as ready for significant roles.

This room will miss the star power, well-rounded game, playmaking and leadership of Rod Moore, who is expected to miss the season due to injury. But with as many as six players it trusts to player starter-level snaps, Michigan's safety room gives the Wolverines room to breathe, and versatility to mix and match for matchups throughout the game and season.

No. 6) Special teams

Why No. 6? A case could be made that this room could be ranked higher. Dominic Zvada arrives to campus 34 for 40 in his career in field goals, including an impressive 14 for 17 on attempts of 40 yards or more. Tommy Doman was a top-10 punter last fall in Pro Football Focus's grades, and ranked second nationally averaging 4.36 seconds in hang time. Michigan also returns the only two long-snappers it has used in the last three seasons.

But with some unknowns in the return game, new faces in the coverage teams and room for Doman to improve as a second-year starter, we'll keep this room in the middle of the pack for now. The ceiling in this room is very high, though.

No. 7) Cornerback

Why No. 7? What's more controversial, that a position group with preseason All-American Will Johnson in it didn't crack the top six of these rankings, or that a position group with two open position battles, and only one player with more than 300 snaps at the Power-Four level didn't make the bottom four of these rankings? Call it a draw at No. 7.

For what it's worth, we might bump this room up if we're predicting how these rooms might look by October. Berry is the favorite to start at nickel, while talented redshirt freshman Jyaire Hill is beating out two transfers and other veterans for the No. 2 cornerback spot. Both drew rave reviews this spring, and have reportedly backed that up this fall.

That Ja'Den McBurrows and Aamir Hall may come off the bench to start the year implies this room is deeper and more talented than it looked in January.

No. 😎 Running back

Why No. 8? This room brings playmaking ability, physicality and depth to the 2024 season, but has a lot to prove on all three fronts with Blake Corum off to the NFL. Donovan Edwards is aiming for a bounce-back year after a strangely down junior season, but his six-carry, 104-yard, two-touchdown showing against Washington in the national championship game was a great start.

Behind him, Kalel Mullings continues to impress coaches and teammates with improved balance and pad level, and his after-contact carries last year (4.14 yards after contact per carry) ranked 11th out of 189 FBS running backs. If big-back Benjamin Hall or decorated freshman Jordan Marshall can step into rotation roles, this could be Michigan's deepest running back room in four years. Still, this room has accomplished less than others above it on this list.

No. 9) Offensive line

Why No. 9? The bad news is that Michigan must replace its top six offensive linemen from last season, who played 4,800 combined snaps last fall and logged 200 career starts in college.

The good news is that Michigan seems well-equipped to do that. Myles Hinton and Josh Priebe have 50 combined starts themselves, and have impressed teammates by mastering the playbook early as transfers (Hinton from Stanford last summer, Priebe from Northwestern this year). Though Giovanni El-Hadi, Greg Crippen and Raheem Anderson were backups the last three years, the former four-star recruits have waited their turns as starters behind award-winning players ahead of them. Two of them should start on Michigan's interior, and the third will be first off the bench.

Though this is an unproven room, Michigan feels great about four of the five starting roles. The fifth spot is the right tackle battle between Andrew Gentry, Jeffrey Persi and others. The good news is that there's a lot of size and recruiting talent at the position.

No. 10) Wide receiver

Why No. 10? In spring practices, this room was last, as it actually had as many scholarship players (five) as the quarterbacks room. Now, things look a little healthier in the room, as Michigan added two transfers (CJ Charleston, Amorion Walker) and two freshmen (Channing Goodwin, I'Marion Stewart) t round out the room.

Tyler Morris and Semaj Morgan are fairly proven playmakers in this room, but Michigan would love to ultimately rotated four or five receivers on a regular basis. Fredrick Moore is a name that gets brought up a lot by those able to witness practices, and Charleston, Goodwin and Walker have intrigued coaches this fall. If two or three of those players can bring it on a regular basis this fall, this room has the chance to climb these rankings.

No. 11) Quarterback

Why No. 11? At other schools, or in different years, seeing the quarterback room last in these rankings might spell doom for the season ahead. But in a run- and defense-heavy program like Michigan, it isn't a dealbreaker, but rather a sign of more proven talent elsewhere.

Of course, this room will try to prove this ranking wrong anyways. Led by Alex Orji, the Wolverines will try to move on from the JJ McCarthy era with high-percentage passes and athletic playmaking. Orji's physical tools are impressive, but he has only attempted one pass in college. In fact, seventh-year senior Jack Tuttle (199 career pass attempts as a backup at Indiana and Michigan) is the only quarterback in the room with even 15 career pass attempts.

That makes the quarterback position one of the true mysteries on Michigan's roster entering the season.

Bama offense with a worse QB and receivers.

LTtxfan · August 20

Didn't realize Sherrone played at blOU

The untold Oklahoma stories of Michigan coach Sherrone Moore

Jake Trotter, ESPN Sr Writer Aug 20, 2024

Quote

A common refrain heard around the Oklahoma locker room and team hotel on evenings before game days: "Ask Sherrone."

Long before succeeding Jim Harbaugh to become Michigan's head coach, Sherrone Moore was a backup guard for the Sooners. He never started a game, but Moore proved to be a beloved, sought out and, ultimately, valued member of Oklahoma's 2006 and 2007 Big 12 championship teams. Even then, those Sooners say now they saw a future head coach.

"He was incredibly bright, a great communicator ... a team guy, and that matters," recalled Bob Stoops, Oklahoma's head coach at the time. "Everything about him was fantastic."

Moore, 38, is less than two weeks away from his debut as Michigan's permanent head coach. He faces the enormous task of replacing Harbaugh, as well as 13 key players from last year's national championship team selected in the NFL draft; no program lost more draft picks this year.

Moore is also under scrutiny after the NCAA implicated him in the sign-stealing operation allegedly orchestrated by former Michigan staff member Connor Stalions. According to a draft of the NCAA's notice of allegations to Michigan that ESPN obtained, Moore could face a suspension and other penalties for allegedly deleting a thread of 52 text messages with Stalions in October 2023. According to the draft, Moore's texts later were recovered and he turned them over to NCAA enforcement staff. Moore said last week that the school is fully cooperating with the NCAA infractions process; of the Stalions text thread, he added: "I look forward to them being released."

Moore, however, showed last season as offensive coordinator and later, interim head coach, that he could weather a storm and lead the Wolverines to success with a cloud hanging over the program. While Harbaugh served suspensions, Moore went 4-0, with wins over Penn State and Ohio State, as Michigan finished undefeated on its way to the national title.

During that stretch, Moore's former teammates said they saw the same passion they remembered from his time at Oklahoma.

"When they won that [Penn State] game and he cried in the interview and people was giving him a hard time, I was like, 'That's because y'all don't know the type of person he is, the type of love he has for his teammates, the school he's at, the kids he's coaching,'" said former Oklahoma All-American defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who was a six-time Pro Bowler with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "He's very loyal. And he's going to be the biggest cheerleader."

Sherrone Moore takes over for Jim Harbaugh as the head coach at Michigan this season. Jaime Crawford/Getty Images

During his two years in Norman, Moore was Oklahoma's biggest cheerleader from the sidelines. Moore grew up just outside of Wichita in Derby, Kansas. After a stint at Butler (Kansas) Community College, he joined the Sooners as part of a star-laden signing class that included McCoy, San Francisco 49ers All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl running back DeMarco Murray and 2008 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Sam Bradford.

Tulsa head coach Kevin Wilson, who was then Oklahoma's offensive coordinator, recruited Moore out of junior college to replenish the Sooners' depth up front not long after Moore's father was sent to Iraq to work as a field manager for an oil company. Immediately, Wilson was impressed.

"A rock-solid guy," Wilson said. "I truly didn't think when he was young, 'OK, this kid's coaching.' But you go back and [think about] how great a teammate he was, watch the multiple positions he played and adapted easily, he showed a lot of those coaching traits as a young kid."

On a loaded Oklahoma offensive line that paved the way for an offense that broke several FBS records, Moore wound up backing up two-time All-American left guard Duke Robinson.

Moore rarely played. But, as Stoops noted, Moore was always ready to go.

"A lot of people don't handle that situation the best," Stoops said. "And he did. He always had a great attitude. That's what I mean by being a great team guy."

Moore didn't get many opportunities to help the Sooners on Saturdays. Instead, he focused on trying to help those that did reach their potential. Robinson especially relied on Moore for advice in practice, solidarity in summer workouts and, along with the rest of Oklahoma's players, encouragement in games.

"He definitely could've played elsewhere. It just so happened that we had an elite offensive line," Robinson said. "But he came in a dog, and fit right in. He was so smart, he helped me and other guys when it came to understanding certain plays and why the play went this way and why certain calls were made. He saw things that we didn't see. And he helped us out when we made a mistake or missed an assignment."

McCoy and the Oklahoma defenders would often grow frustrated during preseason practices because Moore would know what the defense would be doing leading into every snap.

"You try to move all over the place to try and not give away what's happening," McCoy said. "But he's calling out all the blitzes. He knew whether we were running a stunt game, he knew all our calls, all our checks, he knew everything. He knew everybody's job. He could play any position. ... Some teammates are just far advanced when it comes to knowing the game of football and Sherrone was always that guy."

Despite his football acumen, Moore wasn't Oklahoma's most athletic offensive lineman. During summer workouts, strength and conditioning coach Jerry Schmidt had players do an hour on a StairMaster for every second they missed off their goal time in shuttle runs. They would also have to run the shuttles again.

"Usually me and Sherrone [would] be the last ones, and we'd have the entire team rooting for us to finish," Robinson said. "We'd be literally just falling over each other, stumbling. We really needed each other, like, 'Damn bro, we better make this time because I ain't doing this s--- over again, I'm not getting on that StairMaster, either. None of that, bro.'"

Moore didn't always make his time. But unlike other exhausted teammates, Moore never stopped running, even if he knew he wouldn't make it in time.

"There were much better athletes in much better shape than Sherrone was, but Sherrone wouldn't give up," recalled former Sooners All-Big 12 center Jon Cooper, now Mississippi State's tight ends coach. "He might be a couple seconds late. But he would go on and finish late rather than quit."

Trent Ratterree, an instate walk-on tight end, remembered Moore taking him under his wing going into Ratterree's freshman year. The two had a mutual friend in Wade Weibert, who played with Moore at Butler before going to Kansas State. Weibert had asked Moore to look out for Ratterree and he did just that, becoming a "big brother type" to him.

"When I got to OU the workouts were shocking," Ratterree said. "I would throw up because I was so anxious. Sherrone picked up on that and coached me through it. ... I always looked up to him because I thought he was an extremely nice person. He would lift people up. It was just good to have him around for morale purposes."

That was especially true in tough and key moments during games. Moore developed a reputation for being first on the field between possessions, slapping teammates on the shoulder pads while offering advice and lifting spirits.

"He was always Mr. Positive," Cooper said. "He was always about the guys, always talking to us, always trying to spread positivity."

Cooper recalled during the 2007 Big 12 championship game when Moore's positivity helped Oklahoma overcome a slow start offensively. The Sooners trailed No. 1 Missouri 3-0 after the first quarter. At halftime, the game was tied.

"We'd be coming off [the field], and he'd be out at the numbers every time like, 'Hey, y'all got this,'" Cooper said. "You could see that look in his eye and it was contagious. He was like, 'Just keep doing what you're doing -- it's about to break.'"

As Michigan's co-offensive coordinator in 2021, Moore had another similar moment. After a grinding first half against Washington, Moore repeatedly uttered, "Smash," along the sidelines. The Wolverines embodied that mentality and steamrolled the Huskies in the second half, rushing for 343 yards (#smash is now on Moore's X bio).

In that Big 12 title game 14 years earlier, Moore kept reminding the Oklahoma offense that it was "about to break." Then, it did. The Sooners scored three straight touchdowns in the second half en route to their second straight Big 12 championship.

Following the Big 12 title victory the year before over Nebraska, Moore was up front dancing to wide receiver Malcolm Kelly's famed victory rap.

After the Missouri win, Moore was the first one dancing again.

"He was very high hipped with skinny legs and -- I don't know how to explain this dance -- but he had this dance anytime we won a big game," Cooper said. "And everybody would be cheering him on because he was that kind of guy on the sidelines."

"If there was a group of people laughing, you could bet your money Sherrone was somewhere nearby," said former Oklahoma teammate Gerald McCoy. "That's the type of person he is, he brought so much joy and love."

Moore's infectious personality and relentless positivity carried over off the field, too. In a locker room that could be cliquey by position, Moore was friendly with almost everyone, from the freshman walk-on tight end to the punter. Teammates called him "the connector" whom players could confide in if they were struggling with a problem. As a result, Moore's house became the unofficial hangout off campus for the entire team, whether he or roommate D.J. Wolfe, an Oklahoma defensive back, were there or not.

"If there was a group of people laughing, you could bet your money Sherrone was somewhere nearby," McCoy said. "That's the type of person he is, he brought so much joy and love. ... As soon as practice was over, you want to talk about the life of the party."

Yet when it came to football, Moore was all business. Before every pregame walkthrough, each player had to turn in a written test on that week's game plan. Inevitably, several players would wait last minute to fill them out.

"They'd be in the locker room hurrying, trying to rush, pages would be all ripped up, just looking a mess," McCoy said. "And if they didn't know the answer, it was always, 'Ask Sherrone.' Everybody would go to Sherrone. Because he's going to know."

After Moore graduated from Oklahoma, Stoops said he wanted to hire him. But he didn't have a vacant spot on his staff. Instead, Moore went to Louisville, where he began his rapid ascension up the coaching ranks -- all the way to Michigan.

"When you take a person that intelligent about the game of football, with that type of passion, it's hard to keep him from becoming a head coach," McCoy said. "Sherrone's a natural born leader.

"He was born to be a coach."

TonyTexas · August 21

Considering the source, I know you have to take this with a shaker full of salt, but, please God, let this be true.

HenryJames · August 21

How do you hack into practice footage?

Jimmy Two Times · August 21

On 8/20/2024 at 11:53 AM, closetojumping said:

Breakdown of position groups and rankings by The Michigan Insider. I subscribe to the 247 network and read various sites. Theirs seems fine overall. They still have an answer at QB and appear to be collectively going with the notion that "well, we're a defense and run-first school, so QB doesn't really matter." Okay then. The general expectations from that site are that the defense will be really good, which I believe, and that the offense will just eventually figure itself out and beat everyone via smashmouth football. We'll see, said the zen master.

Here you go:

Reveal hidden contents

No. 1) Defensive line

Why No. 1? If you count edge as separate from the defensive line (Michigan does, so we do too) this is maybe the best defensive line in the country, and could be one of the best in the Wolverines' history. Mason Graham is one of the most complete players in college football, and was a top-10 defensive tackle against both the pass and the run last fall. Kenneth Grant wasn't far behind him in disrupting the pass, and has a unique size-speed combination that makes him a high-ceiling, intriguing player. Rayshaun Benny is not far behind them, as he snuck in 5.5 tackles and 15 run stops as essentially Michigan's No. 5 defensive lineman last fall.

This trio combined for 18.0 tackles for loss last fall while sharing time with Kris Jenkins and Cam Goode. Depth is a minor concern (keep an eye out for Enow Etta and Trey Pierce), but Michigan has two potential first-round picks and high-caliber third man in Benny. All three have delivered against top offensive linemen in the country, and on the biggest stages in college football.

This story continues below.

No. 2) Tight end

Why No. 2? Colston Loveland was a top-10 tight end in the country in receptions and receiving yards last fall as a sophomore, and figures to play an even bigger role this season with AJ Barner, Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson off to the NFL. Loveland is an athletic, versatile tight end with great hands and a consistent work ethic, leading most publications to view him as a preseason All-American.

This room also brings back Max Bredeson, who was the nation's top run-blocking tight end last fall according to Pro Football Focus. Playing an H-back role with snaps at fullback, Bredeson was on the field for 29 of Michigan's 62 offensive touchdowns last fall, or one in every 8.2 snaps.

Though he isn't proven, the Wolverines are optimistic about the offseason that Marlin Klein has had, and think the speedy, 6-foot-6 tight end can have a Luke Schoonmaker-esque breakout season.

No. 3) Edge

Why No. 3? Like a few defensive position groups, Michigan has a great starting duo at edge in Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore, and questions about the depth behind them. Despite not starting a game last fall, Stewart and Moore combined for 72 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 55 QB pressures and 25 run stops last fall, in a combined 759 snaps. They were effective against top teams — Alabama especially — and were just as good statistically as Michigan starters Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor last fall.

Stewart and Moore are arguably among the top five edge rushers in the Big Ten, and this room beats out a few other rooms because optimism is high about TJ Guy as the No. 3 edge. If Cameron Brandt, Dominic Nichols or others can step up, this room can pick up where last year's left off.

No. 4) Linebacker

Why No. 4? Though Junior Colson and Michael Barrett are gone after two productive seasons running Michigan's linebacker room, the transfer portal has allowed the Wolverines to reload at linebacker. Ernest Hausmann, who spent his freshman year at Nebraska, returns after logging 46 tackles last fall backing up Colson and Barrett. He's a physical, efficient tackler with plus strength at the MIKE position. Joining him will be Maryland transfer Jaishawn Barham, who has been a beast as a pass-rusher, disruptive in coverage and strong as a tackler in two seasons starting in the Big Ten.

Depth is a minor concern here, keeping this room out of our top three. But if one or two of Jimmy Rolder, Jaydon Hood, Micah Pollard and Cole Sullivan can step up, this room will have more than enough size and physicality to shine in the Big Ten.

No. 5) Safety

Why No. 5? Entering the season, this might be the deepest position group on the team. Michigan returns Makari Paige as a two-year starter, and brings back rotation safety Quinten Johnson. They added three-year Tennessee starter Wesley Walker, and Michigan State starter Jaden Mangham to the room. Now former top-60 recruit Zeke Berry and talented sophomore Brandyn Hillman are viewed by coaches as ready for significant roles.

This room will miss the star power, well-rounded game, playmaking and leadership of Rod Moore, who is expected to miss the season due to injury. But with as many as six players it trusts to player starter-level snaps, Michigan's safety room gives the Wolverines room to breathe, and versatility to mix and match for matchups throughout the game and season.

No. 6) Special teams

Why No. 6? A case could be made that this room could be ranked higher. Dominic Zvada arrives to campus 34 for 40 in his career in field goals, including an impressive 14 for 17 on attempts of 40 yards or more. Tommy Doman was a top-10 punter last fall in Pro Football Focus's grades, and ranked second nationally averaging 4.36 seconds in hang time. Michigan also returns the only two long-snappers it has used in the last three seasons.

But with some unknowns in the return game, new faces in the coverage teams and room for Doman to improve as a second-year starter, we'll keep this room in the middle of the pack for now. The ceiling in this room is very high, though.

No. 7) Cornerback

Why No. 7? What's more controversial, that a position group with preseason All-American Will Johnson in it didn't crack the top six of these rankings, or that a position group with two open position battles, and only one player with more than 300 snaps at the Power-Four level didn't make the bottom four of these rankings? Call it a draw at No. 7.

For what it's worth, we might bump this room up if we're predicting how these rooms might look by October. Berry is the favorite to start at nickel, while talented redshirt freshman Jyaire Hill is beating out two transfers and other veterans for the No. 2 cornerback spot. Both drew rave reviews this spring, and have reportedly backed that up this fall.

That Ja'Den McBurrows and Aamir Hall may come off the bench to start the year implies this room is deeper and more talented than it looked in January.

No. 😎 Running back

Why No. 8? This room brings playmaking ability, physicality and depth to the 2024 season, but has a lot to prove on all three fronts with Blake Corum off to the NFL. Donovan Edwards is aiming for a bounce-back year after a strangely down junior season, but his six-carry, 104-yard, two-touchdown showing against Washington in the national championship game was a great start.

Behind him, Kalel Mullings continues to impress coaches and teammates with improved balance and pad level, and his after-contact carries last year (4.14 yards after contact per carry) ranked 11th out of 189 FBS running backs. If big-back Benjamin Hall or decorated freshman Jordan Marshall can step into rotation roles, this could be Michigan's deepest running back room in four years. Still, this room has accomplished less than others above it on this list.

No. 9) Offensive line

Why No. 9? The bad news is that Michigan must replace its top six offensive linemen from last season, who played 4,800 combined snaps last fall and logged 200 career starts in college.

The good news is that Michigan seems well-equipped to do that. Myles Hinton and Josh Priebe have 50 combined starts themselves, and have impressed teammates by mastering the playbook early as transfers (Hinton from Stanford last summer, Priebe from Northwestern this year). Though Giovanni El-Hadi, Greg Crippen and Raheem Anderson were backups the last three years, the former four-star recruits have waited their turns as starters behind award-winning players ahead of them. Two of them should start on Michigan's interior, and the third will be first off the bench.

Though this is an unproven room, Michigan feels great about four of the five starting roles. The fifth spot is the right tackle battle between Andrew Gentry, Jeffrey Persi and others. The good news is that there's a lot of size and recruiting talent at the position.

No. 10) Wide receiver

Why No. 10? In spring practices, this room was last, as it actually had as many scholarship players (five) as the quarterbacks room. Now, things look a little healthier in the room, as Michigan added two transfers (CJ Charleston, Amorion Walker) and two freshmen (Channing Goodwin, I'Marion Stewart) t round out the room.

Tyler Morris and Semaj Morgan are fairly proven playmakers in this room, but Michigan would love to ultimately rotated four or five receivers on a regular basis. Fredrick Moore is a name that gets brought up a lot by those able to witness practices, and Charleston, Goodwin and Walker have intrigued coaches this fall. If two or three of those players can bring it on a regular basis this fall, this room has the chance to climb these rankings.

No. 11) Quarterback

Why No. 11? At other schools, or in different years, seeing the quarterback room last in these rankings might spell doom for the season ahead. But in a run- and defense-heavy program like Michigan, it isn't a dealbreaker, but rather a sign of more proven talent elsewhere.

Of course, this room will try to prove this ranking wrong anyways. Led by Alex Orji, the Wolverines will try to move on from the JJ McCarthy era with high-percentage passes and athletic playmaking. Orji's physical tools are impressive, but he has only attempted one pass in college. In fact, seventh-year senior Jack Tuttle (199 career pass attempts as a backup at Indiana and Michigan) is the only quarterback in the room with even 15 career pass attempts.

That makes the quarterback position one of the true mysteries on Michigan's roster entering the season.

I've been monitoring Michigan Insider and do think they're pretty levelheaded as far as 9.95ers go. A few things they've highlighted that jump out to me: 1. Donovan Edwards playing at an elite level is a must for this offense; however, Edwards was quietly pretty bad last year. Really poor in explosive plays and yards after contact. 2. As noted above, there does not appear to be any plan B to just running the ball and relying on the defense. They're not confident that any QB on the roster can complete 60% of their passes and the presumptive starter is in a QB battle with a senior walk on who went 0-5 with an INT in limited appearances last year. There's not a WR they can count on as a deep threat to supplement the run game and they've been touting the after catch ability of a bunch of mediocre nobodies - reading between the lines it sounds pretty dire. 3. Even adjusting for 9.95er hype, the defense is going to be elite and physical. They took two G5 guys to beef up the second CB spot across from Will Johnson and neither one is elite or even necessarily good. If Will Johnson goes down they're in trouble (obviously this is the case for most star players across the country).

With that said, I'm less sure of victory than I was at Bama last year. The logical side of me cannot really see them keeping pace with us if there's a relatively normal game script, but I do sort of buy the possibility that they suffocate us on offense, force a few turnovers and sneak out a 17-14 win.

BurntEyes · August 22

20 hours ago, Jimmy Two Times said:

I've been monitoring Michigan Insider and do think they're pretty levelheaded as far as 9.95ers go. A few things they've highlighted that jump out to me: 1. Donovan Edwards playing at an elite level is a must for this offense; however, Edwards was quietly pretty bad last year. Really poor in explosive plays and yards after contact. 2. As noted above, there does not appear to be any plan B to just running the ball and relying on the defense. They're not confident that any QB on the roster can complete 60% of their passes and the presumptive starter is in a QB battle with a senior walk on who went 0-5 with an INT in limited appearances last year. There's not a WR they can count on as a deep threat to supplement the run game and they've been touting the after catch ability of a bunch of mediocre nobodies - reading between the lines it sounds pretty dire. 3. Even adjusting for 9.95er hype, the defense is going to be elite and physical. They took two G5 guys to beef up the second CB spot across from Will Johnson and neither one is elite or even necessarily good. If Will Johnson goes down they're in trouble (obviously this is the case for most star players across the country).

With that said, I'm less sure of victory than I was at Bama last year. The logical side of me cannot really see them keeping pace with us if there's a relatively normal game script, but I do sort of buy the possibility that they suffocate us on offense, force a few turnovers and sneak out a 17-14 win.

This is pretty close to my frame of mind. With the current o/u at 48.5 I think I'd lean under, but I'd bet it were it 50+. I wouldn't take a bet either way on the spread at 3.5. 4 seems likely and if either team was getting 7.5 or more, I'd think that an extremely secure bet.

I don't think we will throw well against them, particularly deep, but I do have perhaps optimistic hopes their offense will really struggle against us and frankly any good defense. We have a lot of ? on D but UM has more on offense.

I know that super inciteful, but.. that's just like my opinion man.

closetojumping · August 22

20 hours ago, Jimmy Two Times said:

I've been monitoring Michigan Insider and do think they're pretty levelheaded as far as 9.95ers go. A few things they've highlighted that jump out to me: 1. Donovan Edwards playing at an elite level is a must for this offense; however, Edwards was quietly pretty bad last year. Really poor in explosive plays and yards after contact. 2. As noted above, there does not appear to be any plan B to just running the ball and relying on the defense. They're not confident that any QB on the roster can complete 60% of their passes and the presumptive starter is in a QB battle with a senior walk on who went 0-5 with an INT in limited appearances last year. There's not a WR they can count on as a deep threat to supplement the run game and they've been touting the after catch ability of a bunch of mediocre nobodies - reading between the lines it sounds pretty dire. 3. Even adjusting for 9.95er hype, the defense is going to be elite and physical. They took two G5 guys to beef up the second CB spot across from Will Johnson and neither one is elite or even necessarily good. If Will Johnson goes down they're in trouble (obviously this is the case for most star players across the country).

With that said, I'm less sure of victory than I was at Bama last year. The logical side of me cannot really see them keeping pace with us if there's a relatively normal game script, but I do sort of buy the possibility that they suffocate us on offense, force a few turnovers and sneak out a 17-14 win.

21 minutes ago, BurntEyes said:

This is pretty close to my frame of mind. With the current o/u at 48.5 I think I'd lean under, but I'd bet it were it 50+. I wouldn't take a bet either way on the spread at 3.5. 4 seems likely and if either team was getting 7.5 or more, I'd think that an extremely secure bet.

I don't think we will throw well against them, particularly deep, but I do have perhaps optimistic hopes their offense will really struggle against us and frankly any good defense. We have a lot of ? on D but UM has more on offense.

I know that super inciteful, but.. that's just like my opinion man.

My view on this game hasn't changed much since looking at things immediately after the season. Of course, both teams lost a lot, but then they both did some good things with the portal to offset some or all of that. I've felt since the beginning much like the sentiments you guys are espousing - this will be a closely fought game that Texas should win.

My logic in "Texas should win" is simply grounded in the basics - Texas returns its excellent QB and most of the OL, along with the same HC/DC/OC. When you have those things together, your team should win a bunch of ballgames. That combo also helps negate significant opposing homefield advantage. Conversely, Michigan has literally none of that coming back. They're talented, they have Harbaugh DNA, they'll have home filed advantage. A loss to Michigan in that environment will not be embarrassing, barring a blowout, but I am fine with the expectations and the line.

We're going to learn more than people think we probably will from watching Michigan play Fresno State in their opener. Fresno has the HC issue with Tedford leaving abruptly due to health concerns, but he'd done a good job with the roster and culture. They're a decent G5 team even without him. More importantly, Michigan is replacing 18 starters. They can like what they see in practice and still need to run through a good deal of their snaps with their first team rotations on both sides of the ball, even if they're blowing FSU out. They can't just hide who they are in that game with Texas looming and if they try that, they're idiots. I wouldn't want guys in key roles getting their first true live fire against a top 5 team at noon in week two of the season.

BurntEyes · August 22

@closetojumping fully agree that UM really has to open up their playbook on both sides of the ball, but particularly offense v Fresno. Way too many question marks at too many positions not to do so.

Also this:

My logic in "Texas should win" is simply grounded in the basics - Texas returns its excellent QB and most of the OL, along with the same HC/DC/OC.

When UM doesn't.

Fud · August 22

I think Michigan will live in twelve personnel, and when they aren't in 12, they'll be bringing in extra OL or a third TE. They'll do all of this with an excellent running QB (not a dual threat, he can't pass), and that extra number in the run game you have to account for should make their running game extremely efficient. Play action from this should have guys running wide open all over the field, and it'll be up to orgy to hit wide open passes. They're going to body blow you all game and bank on gashing you in their last couple of drives to break your will

They potentially have the best defense in the country, so playing the ball control and field position games makes sense as an overall strategy, although it's arguably not the best way to win in modern college football, and I don't think it'll work on Texas

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