Michigan football at Big Ten media days takeaways (with video)

We learned a lot about what to expect from #Michigan football this year. #GoBlue

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — For the first time in what seems like forever, Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh and several players met with the media in person.

Harbaugh spoke to the media at-large for 15 minutes during the formal press conference but later met with the media at the separate ‘podium session’ for a full hour. While RB Hassan Haskins, DE Aidan Hutchinson and LB Josh Ross met with the media for an hour each, WolverinesWire got about 20 minutes of time with each.

Above (forthcoming), you can find a video breakdown (including interview footage) of our biggest takeaways, with some added takeaways below.

  • Michigan has made Ohio State its utmost priority.
  • Mazi Smith is this season’s potential breakout player.
  • Donovan Edwards will play from day one. Hassan Haskins is the starter, with Blake Corum right behind him.
  • The set offensive linemen at this point are Ryan Hayes, Zak Zinter and Andrew Stueber. Hayes is set at left tackle, Zinter could be either center or right guard, Stueber is either right tackle or guard.
  • Chuck Filiaga had his best spring/summer, yet, but is Trevor Keegan would be the starter in fall camp.
  • Jim Harbaugh appears more relaxed and at ease.
  • Cade McNamara will enter fall camp as the starting QB. J.J. McCarthy is right behind him, but Alan Bowman has yet to get into the mix since he reported this summer.
  • The new scheme disguises where Aidan Hutchinson will be constantly. Harbaugh and Hutchinson both say it will be less predictable.
  • The new scheme also feels like it’s built more for Josh Ross, as he’s able to play more downhill. Harbaugh and Hutchinson both noted this, while Ross says he can play a lot faster.
  • Harbaugh especially praised Cornelius Johnson and the strides he’s made, along with Ronnie Bell and Mike Sainristil. They’re the starting WR trio at the outset of fall camp.
  • Gemon Green is the only cemented starter at corner. DJ Turner and Vincent Gray are battling it out for the other corner spot.
  • George Johnson might move to safety.
  • Daxton Hill’s ceiling keeps getting higher. Harbaugh kept talking about the plyo-stairs and his athletic acumen there. He’s easily the fastest on the team.
  • Hassan Haskins reliably gets an extra 1-2 yards and is the best special teams player. He could be a linebacker, easily.

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