Tag: Grant Newsome

Michigan football offense could build an identity off Alex Orji packages and trick plays

We finally saw some consistent creativity on Saturday. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — After Alex Orji emulated Jalen Milroe in bowl prep last year, it became scintillating about what may happen for the Michigan football quarterback.

It took awhile before he was thrust into action — though it had appeared that he was the likely starter in the preseason — however, the Wolverine coaching staff pulled the plug on Orji in Week 6 after Michigan got down 14-0 at Washington.

Orji sat on the bench for the entirety of the loss at Illinois and for the first half against MSU before he started coming in during the second half and creating a spark using the wildcat package we’ve become more accustomed to seeing him in. However, instead of it being one play here or there, it was multiple plays within a drive, while Davis Warren would still come in to run the offense throughout.

The trick from here is to continue to use both Warren and Orji without getting predictable — something that the coaching staff is working on behind the scenes, offensive line coach Grant Newsome says.

“That’s always a balance — with anything, you have a big indicator, a big tendency,” Newsome said. “It’s something that we were conscious of last year. And, Coach Casula has done a better job than I did last year of, with Max, of, hey, every time it’s Max in the game it can’t just be it’s a direct fullback run — even though he’s obviously elite at it. So that’s always a balance and it’s a balance with receivers and alignments and splits and personnel groups.

“So that’s something that you look at and Coach Campbell looks at every single week. And, in multiple different respects, looking at tendencies, looking at trends, because defenses look at them. So, the good thing is that it’s not like you’re bringing a wildcat tight end (with Orji). He’s still a good thrower of the football. So, you hope defenses respect that and then if they don’t, then it’s on us to make them pay for it.”

The other thing that fans noticed in Saturday’s game was the use of more trick plays. Whether it was the flea flicker pass to Tyler Morris for a big gain or the touchdown that Donovan Edwards threw to Colston Loveland, a little trickeration went a long way for the offense.

Given how many Michigan fans are also Detroit Lions fans, they’re used to seeing the pro team in the area constantly dig into the bag to try to catch the opponent off-guard. So are the Wolverines looking to do the same?

“Practicing them a lot,” Newsome said. “Truthfully I try to stay off social media, but I’m sure a lot of people are like, ‘Oh, why does this get saved to this game?’ or ‘Why does this get to this game?’ Naturally, the reality is a lot of those have been on the call sheets for multiple weeks and Coach Campbell, every single week, has however many on the sheet ready to go. And a lot of times they get pushed the next week.

“And it’s one of those things where we got to execute as position coaches and as players to allow him to be able to position to call some of those things. Cause it’s one of those where, hey, it’s second-and-15 on your own 15-yard line. That trick play from Donovan’s probably not coming off the sheet. Whereas if you can get a drive going. And that’s kind of what I was mentioning earlier — hey, we sustain one of those first two drives at the level we’re capable of, the level we expect to, the level we should, that probably comes off earlier.

“So I think it’s a joint effort. He does a great job of getting creative (looks). Let’s get our best players the ball. And all of us collectively — coaches, players — got to control the games that those can come off the sheet. Cause obviously we all like it when that happens. And as you guys can imagine from watching the last couple of years, there’s no one who’s a bigger fan of trick plays than Coach Moore and Coach Campbell. So, it’s a collective effort of executing and putting ourselves in a position where we can all feel comfortable with him calling those and enjoying the success.”

Michigan is going to need both to work on Saturday with the No. 1 team in the country, Oregon, coming to town.

Freshmen OL Blake Frazier and Andrew Sprague may be ahead of schedule

They’re both going to be the epitome of #Michigan men once their time is through. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — While the Michigan football offensive line has struggled through parts of the year, it finally looked more like a vintage Wolverines unit up front last week against MSU. And though there have been issues figuring out both tackle positions as they’ve dealt with new starters and injuries, one thing is for certain — the future at the position will be bright.

Michigan has two young tackles who figure to play sooner than later given their talent. Though it usually takes a few years for offensive linemen to acclimate, offensive line coach Grant Newsome — who played early, himself — has liked the ascent of former four-stars Blake Frazier and Andrew Sprague — who he confirms have both been playing outside rather than inside.

“Both of those guys have been working at tackle. And both have been up with (the upperclassmen),” Newsome said. “They’ve been pushing those guys to be in the two-deep. And we think both are going to have very bright futures.”

But why have they both been able to progress?

According to Newsome, each has had his own learning curve, of course. Frazier was an early enrollee, so he got a bit of a lay of the land earlier than Sprague. For Sprague, it wasn’t just a late acclimation process as much as it was also battling through injuries he sustained previously.

But Newsome sees both right there, either in or just outside the two-deep along the offensive line — a great feat for each player, given how young they are.

“I think the cool thing with both those guys is how they’ve put in the work physically and mentally,” Newsome said. “Both have learned and kind of attacked the playbook, especially for Sprague, who was not here in the spring. And then both were battling through things in their own way. Blake was a guy who was lighter out of high school. So for him to come in and attack the weight room, attack with Abigail and her staff, and they’ve done an incredible job with him, the nutritional piece, to get himself up to a point where he now he’s weighing enough and he’s got enough strength that he can compete.

“And for Sprague, he was out battling a knee injury coming out of high school. For him to get back healthy, and it was midway through fall camp when he was able to start doing team reps, so the fact he’s able to put himself in the fringe two-deep already is a really, really good sign. So we’re excited about both their futures.”

Michigan football coaches confident in Alex Orji’s passing ability

You may doubt, but they were beyond vehement. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — We’ve been through this same rigamarole each of the last three years. Michigan football has a limited offensive outing in one way or another and fans get up on their pulpit and scream, ‘You’re not going to beat Ohio State like that!’

True, but Michigan didn’t play Ohio State last week. It played USC — and won with only 32 yards passing and 290 yards rushing.

Alex Orji was in his first start at quarterback and he didn’t exactly get a wealth of attempts passing downfield — the coaches called a conservative passing game, especially with tight end Colston Loveland out with an injury.

On Wednesday, Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale — who may be on the other side of the ball, but had some strong feelings about the state of the offense — bristled at the notion that Orji and the offense can’t pass the ball if necessary. He pointed to the NFL and noted that not every team wins games by throwing it all over the place.

“There we go again with that narrative,” Martindale said. “Do you realize what happened this past weekend in the NFL? The Baltimore Ravens ran the ball 45 times, I think they threw it 12. And they beat the Cowboys pretty bad, right til the end of the game, right? The Saints (and) Derek Carr threw for what? 12 passes in his first game, I think 16 in the second. Don’t quote me on that. I’m not sure, but I know it was a low amount of passes they were chewing up, right? Look what Washington just did to Cincinnati. So the pendulum’s swinging either way you want to look at it.

“And I think that with our offense, and with our offense it can do, and our defense and our special teams, we have the flexibility in our scheme to do whatever we need to do to win that game, that week when we prepare for it. And I think that sometimes the narrative about Alex — OK, one thing about being old, I do have experience, and I’ve seen quarterbacks take over an offense and run with the offense. And I think that’s what’s going to happen with this guy. I love the kid. So I’m not evaluating anything or anything else offensively, because got my hands full where we’re at, but I think that there shouldn’t be any limitations put on because it’s one of those things. Same thing I was talking about the defense every day. Just try to get better, try to get better, and you build it as you go. And what happens is, there’s overreactions when you have a different schedule than what we’ve had here in the past, the past few years, right? And there’s a you stub your toe, which is Texas, right? But there’s an overreaction to it. The bottom line is, just come in every week and be 1-0. So whatever it takes.”

Martindale isn’t wrong. If Michigan passed for 400 yards but ran for 50, fans wouldn’t have much to say, nor would the media. Being able to pass has tended to cover up a lot of issues teams might have running the football, and usually fans and media give those teams a pass.

That said, Michigan does still need to prove that it can throw the football to win games, especially with Orji at the helm. But it’s not like it plays the toughest teams on the schedule just yet. OSU comes at the end of the season, Oregon is a few weeks before that. Orji is coming off of his first start, and as Martindale noted, he can grow in that role.

As far as the offensive perspective, offensive line coach Grant Newsome says that the team is focused on whatever it takes to win, not winning a popularity contest. Given how Michigan has won in the past three years across multiple big games, he notes that the team should be given the benefit of the doubt.

“That’s, I guess, to be determined. But I know I trust all of our guys. I trust our coaches,” Newsome said. “I think we’re going to do what the game calls for, like I said. And I guess the only evidence I can give you is that there were people saying this last year after Penn State — ‘You won’t be able to beat Ohio State doing this. You won’t be able to win the Big Ten championship. It’s not going to work for us against Alabama.’ And we did what the game called for. Coach Moore called the game as it needed to be called. Coach Campbell’s going to call the game as it needs to be called.

“So I’m not trying to be smart in my response, but it’s the reality. I don’t think anyone in this building cares about how sexy something looks, cares about if it works or not. If it doesn’t work, then as coaches we’ve got to reevaluate it and make sure it does. But if we win every game throwing for 500 yards and have two yards rushing, I’ll be happy we won the game. If we rush for 300 yards again and have 32 yards, because that’s what the game called for, I think we’ll be pretty happy, too, because we’re winning games.”

Stats tell part of the story, and it tells how a game went. Just like the loss to Texas showed a potentially improving offense, the turnovers were what killed the Wolverines in that game. If Michigan can beat USC the way it did how it did, who’s to say it can’t some of the other big teams on the schedule?

We’ll find out in short order if the Wolverines can change the narrative.

Along with ‘SMASH!’ Michigan football OL channeling poetry for unit identity

You’d never think poetry or Latin is tough, but this really is. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Move over ‘smash!’ the Michigan football offensive line has a new creed. But it may not be quite as fun to yell out.

Of course, the Wolverines still intend to ‘smash!’ especially given that the man who proliferated that as a slogan within the halls of Schembechler is now the head coach. But as this new offensive line is being forged, they’re channeling a Latin word popularized by 19th-century poet William Earnest Henley.

Invictus.

Right guard Giovanni El-Hadi explained more about the line’s new-look identity, how that came to be, and what it means.

“Building our own identity. We have to withhold the standard,” El-Hadi said. “But we don’t need five guys to play, but we need 10. And we all have to be on the same page. We all have to be ready whenever our name is called up because people are gonna get hurt. That’s how it goes, it’s football. And whoever’s up next, you got to go out there and play well.

“Holding that standard, building our name. Myles (Hinton) — we think about our name for ourselves, — and he brought up ‘Invictus,’ and none of us know what that meant! And then he told us a little bit about the word, being unconquerable, unbeatable. I feel like that’s what we are. ”

El-Hadi adequately described the Latin meaning of the word, but it was popularized by Henley’s poem.

Out of the night that covers me
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul.

The unit’s new position coach, Grant Newsome (who moved over from tight ends) loves this new creed and mantra and feels like it adequately suits the group mission. And it turns out, Invictus is the standard, not just an aspiration.

“I think it’s a perfect description,” Newsome said. “I think one thing that we’ve kind of embodied is the idea that, hey, we respect everyone we play. We’re not going to fear anyone. There should be no fear, especially in that room, especially at this place. Like I said, I think you’ve got a lot of guys who are hungry to prove that hey, we’re really good players too. Not tired of or not upset at the guys who came before them who did a great job and set that standard but excited and eager to live up to the standard that’s been set and try to exceed it.”

Why two little-known players are surging on the offensive line for Michigan

These guys have really come on strong in fall camp. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Could Michigan football fans be in for a surprise on Saturday when they see the new-look starting offensive line? It’s beginning to feel that way.

Three positions have long been set in left tackle Myles Hinton, left guard Josh Priebe, and right guard Giovanni El-Hadi. But while Greg Crippen was expected to win the center job and either Jeff Persi or Andrew Gentry were expected to win right guard, two new challengers have come forth with converted-defensive tackle-turned-center Dominick Giudice and right tackle Evan Link entering the fold. The hype surrounding both has been so huge that it would surprise no one if either wins the starting job.

“We feel really good about multiple guys both at that center position, that right tackle position,” offensive line coach Grant Newsome said. “We feel like we’ve got — really, truthfully — three guys in each of those positions that we could go out and win a lot of games with. So I’m excited to see how it continues to play out. And I know the guys we trot out there on Saturday are gonna do really good job. I have full confidence, and even the guys behind them. So excited to see how the crew plays.”

Giudice was never really expected to be more than a role or depth player. A three-star recruit in the 2021 recruiting class from Freehold (N.J.) Mater Dei, he was an edge rusher and the second-lowest rated player in the class, ahead of only the punter. He first bulked up and moved to the interior defensive line and served as a backup there. But then he made the switch last year to the interior of the offensive line. And Newsome has appreciated how heady of a player he is — which has allowed him to be in the thick of the competition, if not win the job outright.

“He’s done a great job,” Newsome said. “Obviously not having an extensive O-line background — we really recruited him as technically like an edge. So he’s taken to offensive line in general really, really quickly, and then to center as well.

“Obviously, that’s position is very much mental. You’re the quarterback of the O-line and besides the quarterback, you’re the only person on the field who touches the ball every single play. So it’s as critical a position there is in football. So he’s done a really, really good job putting himself in the mix there. And like I said, he’s one of those three guys at center we feel like we go out and win another national championship with.”

Link is a different story. A redshirt freshman from Washington D.C., he was a four-star recruit who was thought to be a Penn State lean before he surprised by committing to Michigan. He was expected to be a factor sooner or later, but as it turns out, it’s sooner than later.

“He’s made big jumps — not just mentally and playbook-wise and play-wise — but physically from being a freshman,” Newsome said of Link. “And sometimes it’s easy to forget how big the jump that those guys can make from their freshman year to sophomore year can be, especially offensive linemen. So physically, he’s in a really, really good spot, and then he’s embraced the challenge of competing against two older guys who are both very good players in their own right.

“We feel like we’re fortunate. It’s a good problem to have.”

Fans will get an opportunity to see whoever starts at those positions on Saturday when Michigan hosts Fresno State for the 2024 season opener at The Big House. Kickoff is slated for 7:34 p.m. EDT and the game will be broadcast nationally on NBC.

How Grant Newsome is acclimating to new role as OL coach

Excited to see how the room does under his leadership! #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Last year, former Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh said that he was grooming then-tight ends coach Grant Newsome to be an offensive line coach for the Wolverines. Telling anyone who would hear, Harbaugh often said that Newsome was soon to be a head coach, and he’s quickly moved up the ladder in his short coaching tenure.

Now Newsome has moved from graduate assistant to tight ends coach to offensive line coach in just a few years — a whirlwind to be sure. So how is he acclimating to his new role?

He shared more on Monday about his ascension.

“Obviously, I’ve been blessed with some incredible opportunities here, it’s something Coach (Harbaugh) and I have talked about — if either Coach Moore were to get a head coaching opportunity here or somewhere else if offensive line coach was something I would be interested in,” Newsome said. “We had those discussions but very happy with how it worked out. Obviously, very excited and fortunate to have the opportunity that I do here.”

We’ve seen positive effects when coaches move to oversee the position they played in college. Newsome may have only had just over a year at the position given his gruesome career-ending injury, but now that he’s at his natural position, he feels like he’s taking off.

It was a similar scenario with Sherrone Moore who was coaching tight ends before moving to offensive line, himself — a position he played at Oklahoma. While Newsome is appreciative of the opportunity, he does miss working with the tight ends — where he got his bona fide start.

“It was bittersweet,” Newsome said. “Even though you’re moving a couple offices down the hall, I built a great relationship with those guys in the tight end room. Love the opportunity to see them practice and still be around them, still be a little bit involved in coaching them on the periphery now. Incredibly fortunate and blessed to have the opportunity, especially to be able to coach the position that I played. It’s an awesome opportunity.”

That said, Newsome knows he’s not reinventing the wheel here. His job is to be a steward of that which has already been built.

“I think the awesome thing that I have the opportunity to do is to come in and continue the standard that’s been set and the coaching style and the mentoring that’s been done by Sherrone,” Newsome said. “It’s not a deal where I have to come in and try to say hey guys, we’re flipping this entirely on its head. What we did didn’t work. It’s more of a, hey, we’re going to come in and we may have to teach something a little different or slow something down just like you do any year-to-year. Obviously, Coach Moore did a heckuva job establishing the standard and foundation amongst the entire offense but especially with the offensive line unit. There hasn’t had to be large-scale changes or a shift in mentality. Mentality has been whatever it’s been for the last so many years. We’re a physical, downhill operation that can protect the passer.”

Michigan football officially announces two hires, promotions on Sherrone Moore’s staff

It’s official! #GoBlue

As expected, Michigan football has promoted two staffers from Jim Harbaugh’s coaching tree under new head coach Sherrone Moore.

As earlier reported, former tight ends coach Grant Newsome was staying in Ann Arbor and is being elevated to offensive line coach — a position Harbaugh had said he was being groomed for — while quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell was expected to be named the new offensive coordinator.

On Friday afternoon, the program made both hires official, announcing the promotions and filling out the first two roles on Moore’s staff. As of yet, no other on-field coaches have been announced as retained, but Mike Elston and Steve Clinkscale have both been actively recruiting for the Wolverines.

Full release

University of Michigan J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Sherrone Moore announced Friday (Feb. 2) the promotion of two members of the offensive coaching staff, Kirk Campbell and Grant Newsome. Campbell will add the responsibilities of offensive coordinator to his duties as quarterback coach while Newsome will shift over to coach the offensive line.

“Kirk and Grant are two bright offensive minds,” said Moore. “They have brought a lot to our offensive staff and will make even larger contributions in their new roles. I am excited to have Kirk and Grant take on greater responsibilities in our offense as they continue working with our players to help further their development on and off the field.”

“I want to thank Coach Moore for his confidence and belief in me to serve as the Sanford Robertson Offensive Coordinator and Robert McCollum Family Quarterbacks Coach at the University of Michigan,” said Campbell. “Coaching at Michigan is unique because of the rich football tradition and the commitment to excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community. My family and I feel so blessed to call Ann Arbor home and we cannot wait to go to work with everyone associated with Team 145.”

“I’m humbled and excited by the opportunity presented to me by Coach Moore to lead the offensive line at Michigan,” said Newsome. “I want to thank Coach Moore for his trust in me and in his development of me as a coach. I also want to thank Coach Harbaugh for everything he has done for me in my playing and coaching career. I cannot wait to continue the work that has been done building the offensive line into the best unit in college football.”

Campbell is in his second season as a full-time assistant coach for the Wolverines. After serving as the Robert McCollum Family Quarterbacks Coach in 2023, he will also become the Sanford Robertson Offensive Coordinator starting with the 2024 season. Campbell served as the team’s offensive coordinator during the 2023 season opener, a 30-3 victory for the Wolverines against East Carolina on Sept. 2.

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy flourished under Campbell’s guidance during the 2023 season. He was the Big Ten’s Quarterback of the Year, earned first-team all-conference honors and was voted the Bo Schembechler Team MVP after finishing sixth nationally in completion percentage (72.3%) and ninth in pass efficiency rating (167.4). McCarthy completed 240-of-332 passes for 2,991 yards and 22 TDs with just four interceptions. He led Michigan to the National Championship after winning Rose Bowl Offensive Player of the Game honors after completing 17-of-27 passes for 221 yards and three TDs while also rushing for 25 yards against Alabama.

Campbell joined the Michigan staff after spending the 2020 and 2021 seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Old Dominion University. ODU averaged 12 more points and 112 more offensive yards per game after Campbell’s arrival. Prior to his time with the Monarchs, Campbell was an offensive analyst at Penn State for three seasons (2017-19). He worked with the quarterbacks, scouted future opponents, and helped with game planning.

Newsome takes over for Moore as the Donald C. Graham Offensive Line Coach, leading a room where he spent two seasons (2020-21) as a graduate assistant before coaching the tight ends (2022-23) for the Wolverines. The tight end corps accounted for 70 receptions totaling 925 yards and five touchdowns in 2023 and was led by first-team All-Big Ten performer Colston Loveland who was second on the team with 649 receiving yards and four touchdowns while listing third in receptions with 45.

The tight corps caught 62 passes for 790 yards and five touchdowns during Newsome’s first season mentoring the unit (2022). Newsome spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons as a graduate assistant coach working with the offensive line. He was named as 247Sports’ Top 30 Under 30 in 2021 and was also named to the Class of 2023 American Football Coaches Association 35 Under 35. Newsome was also a finalist for the 2023 Football Scoop Tight End Coach of the Year award.

Newsome was an immediate factor for an offensive line that yielded just 22 sacks and 61 tackles for loss in 1,354 offensive plays across two seasons (2020-21). In 2021, the Wolverines led the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed per contest (2.43 avg.) and ranked fifth in fewest sacks allowed (1.0 avg.). Michigan listed 17th in the NCAA in tackles for loss allowed (4.5 avg.) and was 18th nationally in fewest sacks allowed per game (1.5 avg.) during the 2020 season. Newsome was key in helping the unit win the 2021 Joe Moore Award as the nation’s most outstanding offensive line.

Report: Sherrone Moore makes first Michigan football staff hire

This is big! #GoBlue

It’s been more than 48 hours since Sherrone Moore was elevated from Michigan football offensive coordinator to the 21st head coach in school history, but it’s been unclear as to which staff members intend to remain in Ann Arbor rather than follow Jim Harbaugh to the NFL.

But it appears one is destined to remain, and it’s one Harbaugh almost certainly wanted to join him in Los Angeles.

According to Maize & Blue Review’s Josh Henschke, Moore was able to retain Grant Newsome, the tight ends coach of the past two years, and has elevated him to offensive line coach.

With Michigan expecting a handful of departures on its staff, new head coach Sherrone Moore was able to get one win on the staff.

Multiple sources have confirmed that tight ends coach Grant Newsome is expected to be elevated to offensive line coach under Moore’s staff.

It’s the first known confirmation of a concrete position in the Moore era in Ann Arbor.

Newsome came aboard in 2015 as the left tackle of the future for the Wolverines before having suffered a career-ending injury in early 2016 against Wisconsin. Since, he’s served as a grad assistant and then as the tight ends coach, starting in the 2022 season. Former head coach Jim Harbaugh has often praised Newsome as an eventual head coach, proclaiming that he’s wise beyond his years. Taking over the offensive line duties was the planned next step in his trajectory, Harbaugh once said in a radio interview.

“(Grant Newsome) is the tight ends coach now, but already grooming him to be the offensive line coach,” Harbaugh said. “And then, once he has maybe a year or two under his belt as offensive line coach, just like Sherrone Moore, he’ll be the coordinator. And then, at that point, when we can’t give him any more money or any more titles, somebody will snatch him up to be a head coach. Mark my words, and mark them well. That will happen.”

For Moore, it’s a big win to keep Harbaugh from taking him with him to the Chargers and it further cements the stability needed for the program with increasing departures in the past week.

Grant Newsome shares where the young Michigan football tight ends stand

#Michigan has a lot of ballers at the position. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — There’s no doubt, for fans or opposing teams, who Michigan football is going to trot out at tight end.

At the position, the Wolverines have what they consider to be three co-starters in sophomore Colston Loveland, junior Max Bredeson, and grad transfer AJ Barner. Senior Matthew Hibner has waited his turn, but through two weeks, he’s been listed on the injury report and is still working back to full health.

There are a few players, Hibner included, that tight ends coach Grant Newsome would like to see in the coming weeks. He shares who he’d like to see on the field more should the game plan give the maize and blue the opportunity.

“Yeah, all the young guys are really doing well,” Newsome said. “Need to get Marlin more reps here and showcase his ability some. He’s had a great camp, as did Josh Beetham. Excited to have Matt Hibner getting back healthy and in starting to fully build a role.”

While there has been talent, like the above, waiting in the wings, Michigan has a couple of younger tight ends who may have to wait a little longer for their turn.

Zack Marshall, who Jim Harbaugh gave an ‘enthusiasm unknown to mankind’ award via a helmet sticker, arrived as an early enrollee, while four-star TE Deakon Tonielli arrived later, getting his first taste of college football in summer conditioning and fall camp.

While their path to the field may be a little longer, Newsome is pleased with their progress and also is hoping they’ll get an opportunity to showcase what they can do in real live action.

“The freshmen have all done a really good job,” Newsome said. “From Deakon, Zack Marshall, Jalen Hoffman — who was one of our freshmen walk-ons we brought in — they’re all doing a great job. And I’m excited for those guys to hopefully start to get more reps and more reps throughout practices and if the opportunity presents itself in-game. But I’ve been really happy with how those guys have played and obviously, we’ve been a position so far this year where we haven’t had to play any of those guys. But they’ve all acquitted themselves well.”

Another opportunity comes this Saturday night when Michigan football hosts Bowling Green at The Big House. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT and the game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.

What coaches have observed in Michigan transfer tight end A.J. Barner

Can’t wait to see this guy in action! #GoBlue

Michigan football will have something of a new-look tight end group compared to the last two years when it’s entered the season with Erick All and Luke Schoonmaker being the primary weapons on the ends of the offensive line. Schoonmaker was drafted and All transferred, and while Colston Loveland asserted himself late in the season last year, the Wolverines needed at least one more player to step up.

They could have stayed in-house and depended on senior Matthew Hibner, who was a former four-star from Burke, Virginia. However, the maize and blue brought in a player they think is a ringer in former Indiana tight end A.J. Barner.

Barner wasn’t necessarily a high-profile transfer, but he is well-thought-of. The coaches in Bloomington had verbalized that they anticipated he’d become the best ever Hooseir tight end, but then didn’t throw the ball to him much. Still, he asserted himself as a team captain before deciding to come to Ann Arbor.

In the spring game in April, we caught a glimpse of how dominant he can be, and his position coach, Grant Newsome said that it’s a testament to his character and work ethic.

“He’s just worked, which is amazing,” Newsome said. “The best compliment you can give someone who would come in — and especially, like you said, a guy whose was a two-year captain there, two or three-year starter, played a ton of football in the Big Ten. I mean, shoot — he caught an impressive touchdown against Ohio State.

“So a guy who’s kind of been there and done that, for him to come in and there was never any arrogance or cockiness. Or, ‘Oh, hey, it’s my room now.’ He just kind of put his head down and worked and learned and it’s just a guy who’s always asking what more he can do, how he can improve. And he’s meshed extremely well with it with the team and the room.”

Of course, the big question is: can he block?

It’s the same thing being asked of Loveland, who arrived in Ann Arbor as more of a receiver than a blocker. IU wasn’t necessarily running a ton until late in the year, but Newsome says that Barner has a lot of capability in both being able to catch the ball as well as blocking when called upon.

“We’re very fortunate that he’s got all the physical tools to do it, he’s got the strength,” Newsome said. “And beyond that, he’s got the experience, even though they didn’t do a ton of (throwing to him) in Indiana. He knows what it’s like cutting off a backside defensive end of this conference. It’s a lot easier said than done. Or, we joke as coaches, it’s one of those things that looks really easy when you’re drawing them up on the board. But when you actually do it, it’s a lot harder. So we’re fortunate.

“He’s got that experience and obviously still planning stuff he’s got to improve on and he works at that, but we’re very fortunate to have him.”

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