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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The biggest unknown for the Michigan football team as it’s set to embark upon the 2020 Big Ten season is how will the Wolverines cornerbacks fare?
With Ambry Thomas and LaVert Hill both having departed, there will be new faces running with wide receivers — a daunting task right out of the gates with Minnesota coming up on Saturday.
But one person who has full confidence in the group is safety Brad Hawkins, the converted high school wide receiver entering his fourth year. With one player who the coaches have loved since he arrived as a freshman, Hawkins is sure that the new-look cornerbacks room will be up to any task put in front of it.
“Those guys, they come out there every day, they work hard,” Hawkins said. “Of course there’s a lack of experience due to Ambry leaving, Vincent (Gray) rotating last year. Of course that’s something that people see. But those guys are working very hard. They’re coming along, all of them. I have faith in them – I believe in every single one of those guys. I can’t wait to go out there to battle with them on Saturday.”
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At this juncture, Vincent Gray is the only known that the Wolverines have starting at cornerback — and there’s been no indication as to who will be the No. 2 guy out there.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh has frequently mentioned Gemon Green and Sammy Faustin — the converted safety — but many had anticipated that DJ Turner would be the next man up once Ambry Thomas opted out.
Regardless, Gray is the leader in that room now. So what has Hawkins seen from him this offseason and in practice?
“Just making big third down stops, being a leader in the corner room,” Hawkins said. “Just being that older guy, that guy with experience that’s been out there in the battle, been out there in wars – things like that. He’s definitely shown a lot of poise, and everything he knows is just coming together for him as well. He’s gonna be a great player. I’m definitely looking out for him on Saturday as well.”
Gray will have his work cut out for him right away, as he’ll be tasked with facing likely first-round NFL draft pick Rashod Bateman with the Golden Gophers.
Michigan and Minnesota kick off on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. EDT at TCF Bank Stadium.
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