ANN ARBOR, Mich. — There are a few spots on the Michigan football roster that are question marks and while quarterback and wide receiver get the most attention, on defense, there’s really only one position that’s potentially concerning entering 2024.
The cornerback spot open opposite Will Johnson.
The thought in spring was that DJ Waller would fill that role but he unexpectedly transferred to Kentucky following the spring game. Michigan brought in two transfers over the summer in Aamir Hall from Albany and Ricky Johnson from UNLV — both starters at their former schools. But as it turns out, the likely starter is the one who is homegrown in sophomore Jyaire Hill.
“Yeah, right now it would be Jyaire,” Moore said. “Jyaire’s really taken hold of that position and doing a really good job. ‘Sug,’ he’s been phenomenal, tough, just a gritty dude. One of Kankakee’s finest. And he’s been great. So I think it would be him on Saturday that would line up across from Will Johnson.”
Safety has the opposite problem. There are so many players but just two positions on the field.
Moore broke down the depth and noted two players that have taken massive steps in fall camp who could end up being in rotation. And they’re not the two transfers, per see (Wes Walker and Jaden Mangham). Though both will likely be seen in rotation, two more homegrown talents have asserted themselves this fall, and Moore is excited to see their development.
“Right now, obviously, Makari’s been phenomenal. Quinten Johnson’s been great. But you’ve got Zeke Berry in there. You’ve got Wes Walker in there. You’ve got Jaden Mangham,” Moore said. “You’ve got Brandyn Hillman, who’s really, really taken his level of play to the next level because he’s got some elite traits and ability that people haven’t seen yet, and we’re super excited. It’s finally getting there for him. But him and a guy like Zeke Berry, who’s really all he needed was the confidence.
“And it would be funny because I’m talking to Rod, I’m talking to Will, I was like, ‘Who’s the guy in the background?’ And this was in the spring, like, Who are you guys most excited about?’ They said, ‘Zeke, Zeke.’ And to watch his evolution as a player, he’s made some plays in camp, just wild plays. And they’re like, yeah, that’s routine of his skill set. So he’s really stepped up. So that room’s super deep and ready for it.”
Berry shared with the media on Monday that he’s equally cross-training between nickel and safety. Does that mean we’ll see him move around or stick at one position? We’ll find out more on Saturday when Michigan hosts Fresno State for the season opener.