Tag: Makari Paige

Sherrone Moore updates Michigan football growing injury list before Washington

Well, this is positive news. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It didn’t take long, but Michigan football went from being an extremely healthy team to one that’s extremely banged up.

The Wolverines were pretty much at full strength against USC in Week 4, but entering and leaving Week 5 against Minnesota was a different story entirely.

Will Johnson and Josaiah Stewart were injured against the Trojans. Myles Hinton, the starting left tackle, was injured this past weekend against the Gophers. Head coach Sherrone Moore was confident, however, that they, along with wide receiver Semaj Morgan, will all be back this week for the trip to Seattle to face Washington.

“Yeah, they’re all working through something,” Moore said. “Myles (is) working through something, came out of the game, probably could have went back in, but held them out. And Josaiah and Will look like they’ll be in good shape for this week.”

Another player who left last week’s game against Minnesota was safety Makari Paige. Given that Rod Moore, Wesley Walker, and Jaden Mangham were all unavailable, that meant that the Wolverines were really starting to dig into the bench at the safety position. Though second-year safety Brandyn Hillman came in and played well with Paige out, behind him, there’s little that’s good to go on at the position.

However, Moore expects that Paige will be fine to make the trip to Seattle and play against the Huskies.

“He’ll be good,” Moore said. “I think he’s just working through something, and he’ll be in good shape to go.”

Moore did clarify on some of the others who haven’t played. He says that cornerback Ja’Den McBurrows may be a little more long-term but Walker should be back soon and that Mangham isn’t injured, he’s dealing with something off the field.

“McBurrows will be out,” Moore said. “Mangham, he’s working through something off the field. He could possibly come back. (Walker is) working through something, but he’s not long-term, no.”

Michigan and Washington are set to kick off at Husky Stadium at 4:30 p.m. PDT with the game nationally broadcast on NBC.

Michigan football names four team captains for 2024 season

Huge honor! Congrats to these guys! #GoBlue

As it is with any team, it’s only going to be as good as its leadership. Looking to the not-so-distant past, the same is true of the Michigan Wolverines, who has had stellar leadership over the course of the past three seasons.

Now, much of that leadership is gone. Mike Sainristil, Trevor Keegan, Zak Zinter, Blake Corum, Kris Jenkins, and Mike Barrett were all stabilizing voices for the maize and blue who have left. Another thing they had in common: they were team captains.

Thus, the Wolverines elected new team captains for the 2024 season. Unsurprisingly, all four who were named are seniors — running back Donovan Edwards, safety Makari Paige, fullback Max Bredeson, and safety Rod Moore.

Three of the four were selected to represent Michigan in Indianapolis for Big Ten media days. The only one who wasn’t was Moore, who is rehabbing from his ACL tear suffered in spring ball.

Like any team, these Wolverines will only go as far as their leadership takes them. It will be interesting to see how these four continue the culture which was established before them.

Evidence that Michigan doesn’t care as much about MSU as MSU does Michigan

A prominent #Michigan player weighs in (and he’s right). #GoBlue

INDIANAPOLIS — It was a wild two or three hours over the early summer when the unthinkable happened — twice.

It’s pretty rare that you see players switch rivalries anywhere in college football, but in particular, when it comes to any of Michigan’s rivalries, you don’t often see much movement to or from the Wolverines with the Spartans or Buckeyes. Yet, we not only saw an MSU player transfer to Michigan, but only a few hours later, a Michigan player transferred to MSU.

The reception from either fan base was wild. When safety Jaden Mangham defected from East Lansing to Ann Arbor, the Michigan fans were joyous while the MSU fans were salty. However, when linebacker Semaj Bridgeman went the other way, the MSU fans were understandably joyous, while the chorus of most Michigan fans tended to be mostly congratulatory.

That’s something that Michigan graduate safety Makari Paige noticed.

Paige is a Michigan native, so he’s well-versed in the rivalry. So when the two players switched sides of the rivalry, he noticed how not only the fans but also teammates of both reacted. He shared more at Big Ten media days last month.

“It ain’t really weird to me at all. I mean, I don’t know, I don’t feel a certain way about it at all. But maybe they do more so — not us,” Paige said. “Like Semaj leaving go to Michigan State, it was like, ‘Congrats, bro!’ because like, ain’t no hate like that, you know I’m saying?

“But (Mangham) coming over here, he told me that guys on the team probably talk down on whatever. I saw on Twitter, somebody said something about him like, ‘He’s soft anyways!’ Like, he was your teammate two days ago, so how is he soft now? You know what I’m saying? Like, kind of brotherhood is that? Yeah, I don’t know.”

Now Mangham is a Wolverine and Bridgeman is a Spartan — even if it’s inexplicable. But what does Mangham bring to the table for the maize and blue?

Days before the start of fall camp, Paige shared what he knows of his new teammate in the defensive backfield.

“(Takeaway ability), for sure,” Paige said. “I didn’t really watch him much (at MSU) but he could get the ball out the air, for sure. Not scared to hit at all. Yeah, definitely somebody that we need in our backfield.”

When MSU comes to Ann Arbor in October, the battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy certainly is going to have even more of an added emphasis given the teammate swapping we’ve seen of late.

Makari Paige confident in transfer and younger Michigan safeties

The veteran starting safety for Michigan football shares his thoughts on the two transfer safeties and some younger players to watch.

INDIANAPOLIS — Earlier in the offseason, after Rod Moore went down with a substantial knee injury (tearing his ACL), the Michigan football safety room felt awfully diminished. At the time, sixth-year often-used reserve Quinten Johnson appeared to be NFL-bound, thus leaving only veteran Makari Paige as the only safety with experience.

Oh, how things change.

The Wolverines went hard in the spring transfer portal, bringing in former Michigan State and Tennessee starters Jaden Mangham and Wes Walker (respectively, by team). All of a sudden, there’s a ton of depth at a position group that had high-end talent, which was spread thin.

At Big Ten media days, Paige was enthusiastic about what the two transfer safeties bring to the table, noting he has a lot of familiarity with Mangham, not only because of his time at MSU, but also because he played at a local high school.

“They’re great additions, actually,” Paige said. “Good individuals as people and great players, as well, too. So grateful to have them with us.

“I knew Jaden in high school because I played them (Birmingham Groves) in high school a couple times. So I know his brother (Jaren) too, but having him on our team that was a great addition. Happy for them.”

Beyond them, there are the players who will be called upon who are just now getting their feet wet, not only at safety, but also at cornerback.

Zeke Berry might technically be a safety, but he’s expected to be the starting nickelback. Brandyn Hillman would have been the next man up if it weren’t for the transfer additions and Johnson returning to college. And cornerback Jyaire Hill is now expected to start opposite Will Johnson (despite the transfer additions of Aamir Hall and Ricky Johnson).

Paige touched on them when asked who could take a big step forward in 2024, saying that they won’t be the next Makari Paige (a stalwart veteran who has had solid play) as much as they’ll make names for themselves.

“I’ll start with Zeke Berry — he’s gonna be real good,” Paige said. “Brandyn Hillman, same thing with him. Brandyn Hillman’s gonna be really good. So those guys right there.

“(Cornerback) Jyaire Hill will be really good as well. A lot of young guys, young guys with a lot of talent.”

Fall camp is slated to start this week with eyes on the August 31 season opener when Michigan football hosts Fresno State.

Michigan football players suggest Wink Martindale’s defense is ‘totally different’ from predecessors

This is certainly unexpected. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The thought when Michigan football brought in Wink Martindale to replace Jesse Minter — who coached under Martindale with the Baltimore Ravens — was that there wouldn’t be much change. That it would be a continuation of the defense that the Wolverines have run under Minter and Martindale.

However, if you ask fifth-year safety Makari Paige, that’s not how he sees it, not one week into spring practice.

WolverinesWire asked Paige on Monday about the similarities and differences between the two defensive coordinators’ schemes, and Paige put it quite succinctly.

“It’s totally different,” Paige said. “It’s totally different. Everything’s different.”

OK, then.

Paige isn’t one to expound much, but we asked him again because it certainly could have been something of an obfuscation. But he insists: no, it’s a much different defense.

“No, I’m being serious — it’s totally different,” Paige said. “The plays, his mindset — not mindset, but philosophy, I guess?”

Well, let’s get a second opinion, then.

We also got a chance to hear from junior defensive tackle Mason Graham, and while he didn’t go into great detail, he did note that there are different ways that defenses can be run — even if they’re spiritually similar. As Graham tells it, there are nuances, but perhaps not wholesale changes.

“I mean, everyone just has their mix, their splash of their little ideas that they bring,” Graham said. “So I feel like Coach Minter and Coach Wink have different philosophies still within the same structure, but they just have their little differences on defense.”

It’s difficult to know for sure what the truth is here, but it adds intrigue to the defense moving forward.

Fans will at least be able to get a first glimpse on April 20 when Michigan football hosts the annual spring game at The Big House. It will take place at noon and will be broadcast nationally on Fox.

Michigan football S Makari Paige makes NFL draft decision

Defensive backfield ✅ #GoBlue

Michigan football lost out on a lot of talent that decided to turn to the NFL draft instead of returning.

Sunday was the day that most now-former Wolverines chose to announce their departures while Monday has been mostly players saying they’re coming back — save for offensive tackle Trente Jones. There are still a few holdouts, but we got an answer on one of them late on Monday.

With Rod Moore announcing he plans to return earlier in the day, all eyes are on his defensive back counterpart, Makari Paige. The duo has started at safety the past two years and it appears you can make it three as Paige posted on Instagram that he’ll come back for his redshirt senior season.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2I4dF1xjqz/?igsh=a3dycGoya213Y3o3

Paige joins Moore and Donovan Edwards as one of the few who are coming back and his return shores up the defensive backfield, which, again, will be looking for a cornerback to start opposite Will Johnson. Keon Sabb could fit in as Mike Sainristil’s vacant nickel back spot, potentially, or continue to be a rotational piece at safety.

Should the defensive coordinator-secondary coach combo of Jesse Minter and Steve Clinkscale also return, chances are there will still be little movement of the ball by opposing offenses in 2024.

Jesse Minter addresses Michigan football secondary injuries entering Big Ten play

Just think, as good as the defense has been, it hasn’t even yet been at full strength! #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football’s defense has been phenomenal to start the year, leading the country in scoring defense and coming in at No. 8 in pass defense.

But a little secret? We ain’t seen nothing yet.

The Wolverines have fielded the bulk of its starting defense through the first three games, but three major players have been notably absent through most: safeties Rod Moore and Makari Paige, and cornerback Will Johnson.

Paige got involved a little in Week 1 and played 41 snaps in Week 3 — much needed given Zeke Berry’s injury sustained in Week 2. When he wasn’t out there, senior Quinten Johnson got some run and even came down with an interception. Will Johnson played eight snaps in Week 2, but none in Weeks 1 or 3. Moore has yet to make his season debut.

Yet, the unit has been solid, allowing 141.3 yards per game through the air — much of which have come in garbage time.

Now that Big Ten play begins in earnest on Saturday, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is interested to see his whole first-team defense out on the field, as its becoming more and more likely that the band will be getting back together soon as the aforementioned players are getting closer to full health.

“I think we’re really, really close to having a full tilt back there,” Minter said. “So, we’ll leave it at that. It’d be hopefully fun to see those guys back out there.”

Still, not having those players has been a boon to the defense. Younger players have gotten key experience, and as head coach Jim Harbaugh has often said, ‘You get better at football by playing football.’ By withholding the injured players, other players have now become pivotal depth pieces, players who can be counted upon throughout the season.

Minter is enthusiastic about how crucial its been to see players in the secondary who weren’t expected to play big roles before the season get some time in the spotlight before the aforementioned trio reclaims their thrones as the starters.

“I really just think all those guys that haven’t played for us before, when you look at Josh Wallace, Keshaun Harris, Jyaire Hill, DJ Waller, Keon Sabb at safety,” Minter said. “Quinten Johnson probably even get more run than he’s had in the past. When you think about over the course of the year over, hopefully, 12, 13, 14, 15-game season, you’re going to need depth, things come up.

“And so I’ve been really, just really pleased with how those guys have played, how they’ve learned to prepare, which I think is just as big of a piece is that is they’ve learned our process and game planning our process and studying opponents. And so now they have some more confidence because they’ve played in games. And, I expect all those guys to still have roles for us, even when we get healthy.”

Michigan football injury updates after UNLV game

An update with a little inside info. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football had a few players who didn’t see game time once again with Rod Moore and Makari Paige both out in the Week 2 win over UNLV.

While there was some sparing play a week ago by Paige, he wasn’t dressed in uniform for the contest on Saturday. Moore was, and he warmed up, but he did not see any playing time.

After the game, Michigan acting head coach in the first half, Jay Harbaugh, who is also their position coach at safety, said the two should be ready to go next week, but it’s still a wait-and-see scenario.

“Yeah, Rod and Makari, they’re coming along,” Harbaugh said. “They’ve been practicing and I think we should have a good shot at them being available for this next game.

“Them being out is a blessing for some of the other guys just to be able to get in there and get some live action, maybe even before they’re fully ready. So you just get better so much faster when you do get in the games and you’re able to coach up those live reps. So really, I’ve been pretty pleased with them but still a ton of stuff to clean up.”

The Wolverines exited the game with minimal injuries, but a late hit out of bounds on backup quarterback Jack Tuttle cut his day short. Second-half acting head coach Mike Hart said Tuttle could have returned, but the maize and blue held him out for precautionary reasons.

“Oh, he’s good. He hit out of bounds late over there,” Hart said. “He was throwing he wanted to go back in and we weren’t putting it back in. No, it’s just not worth it. Right? I mean, I think that at the end of the day, the health of the kid is best. And I think if the kid gets knocked down over there, you don’t know what’s happening. So let it heal up in but as far as medically, he’s good to go. And he wanted to go back in the game.”

WolverinesWire can confirm, according to one person who spoke on the condition of anonymity, that Tuttle had a brief shoulder issue, but he’s back to full health.

There was one other player who participated in only one play, safety Zeke Berry. Berry saw his first extended action last week, but only one snap on Saturday: the opening kickoff.

After the opening play of the game, his teammates were calling for the team trainers as Berry limped back toward the bench area. He did not return.

Up next, Michigan football will take on Bowling Green in Week 3, which will be a 7:30 p.m. EDT kickoff at The Big House. That game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.

Michigan football S duo top returners in Big Ten per PFF

Duh. #GoBlue

When it came to sharing what each college football team’s biggest liability is entering the 2023 season, popular Twitter account Big Game Boomer said of Michigan football: ‘nothing.’

That’s in large part due to the Wolverines, coming off of their second-straight College Football Playoff appearance, returning the bulk of their players for the 2023 campaign.

On offense, Michigan returns: quarterback J.J. McCarthy; running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards; wide receivers Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson; tight end Colston Loveland; offensive linemen Zak Zinter, Trevor Keegan, Karsen Barnhart, and Trente Jones — along with transfers AJ Barner (tight end), Drake Nugent (center), LaDarius Henderson (offensive line), and Myles Hinton (offensive line).

The Wolverines lost more on defense, but still have: defensive tackles Kris Jenkins and Mason Graham, linebackers Junior Colson and Mike Barrett, safeties Rod Moore and Makari Paige, and cornerback Will Johnson. There are some up-and-comers at EDGE and linebacker, while Josaiah Stewart (EDGE), Ernest Hausmann (linebacker), and Josh Wallace (cornerback) arrive via transfer, as well.

When it comes to the secondary, before Wallace’s arrival, that was the potential question mark. But that was due to the corner position opposite Will Johnson — not due to safety. That’s because what the Wolverines have at safety is among the nation’s best, according to PFF.

On Friday, PFF released a graphic noting that Moore and Paige are the top two returning safeties in the entire Big Ten entering the 2023 season.

In fact, PFF’s Max Chadwick lists Moore as being the fifth-best returning safety nationally, regardless of conference.

The Wolverines expect to go far this year, and while they may not be tested much through the air until late in the season — the final three games are at Penn State, at Maryland, and then the final showdown at home against rival Ohio State — they know they’ll have the players in middle of the defensive backfield that can hold their own.

Given how paltry the Michigan football secondary was in the moribund 2020 campaign, mixed with the fact that Moore was an under-evaluated recruit as a three-star out of Ohio — and he committed with little fanfare — it’s impressive the type of turnaround the maize and blue have had in that regard.

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Focused on a championship, Makari Paige shares what will make Michigan football ‘next level’ in 2023

National championship or bust! #GoBlue

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Makari Paige has seen the highs in Ann Arbor, but he’s also seen the lows.

Having come from a highly successful high school program in West Bloomfield, Michigan, the former four-star went from being a winner to part of a 2-4 program. The Michigan football team he joined in 2020 appeared to be moving backward and poised on the brink of returning to the lows of the late 2000s.

Then everything changed. The culture changed first. The record and standings followed. Two years later, Michigan has two wins over Ohio State and two College Football Playoff appearances.

What it doesn’t have is wins in either of the latter, however.

Paige says that the goal for this season is to break the cycle of the Wolverines’ latest roadblock while continuing to do the things they’ve established in the past two years.

“My freshman year, that’s when we had COVID,” Paige said. “We had a bad year and then just seeing us seeing us improve the next year and win the Big Ten — that’s a big improvement, and the culture changed. And now, you expect to do that, we expect to win the Big Ten championship and beat Ohio State. Now we’ve got to make the next step and win the national championship.”

While Michigan is still highly focused on beating the Buckeyes, given that the team has managed to do that each of the past two years, there’s a higher goal in mind for these Wolverines. In 2023, it’s championship or bust.

“The season’s about winning a national championship,” Paige said. “Getting over that hump of the College Football Playoff, losing that game. So we’ve got a chip on our shoulder to get there and win.”

But how does Michigan go about doing that? The Wolverines have not made it out of of the semifinals, having lost to eventual national champion, Georgia, in 2021, while squandering a prime opportunity against an overmatched TCU team in 2022.

Paige said some habits have come back in those games that have since become uncharacteristic. Thus, the focus this offseason is to eliminate the bad habits and issues and bring home college football’s ultimate trophy in 2023.

“Just fixing what we need to fix in the offseason,” Paige said. “We had a lot of mistakes in those games that we that was closer to games that we lost a lot of years. Just fixing those mistakes and not having those mistakes in the game will make us next level.”

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