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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — With the new season just weeks away for Michigan football, one of the big questions is: who will be returning kicks and punts for the Wolverines?
Being a starter the year before doesn’t guarantee they’ll be back in that role again, especially as the younger returners get more acclimated to their roles on offense or defense. Sometimes, there’s changes due to that, or last year, there was the case of Ambry Thomas, the kick returner from 2018. Thomas was solid in that role, but due to his bout with colitis in the offseason, Giles Jackson took up the mantle. He performed admirably, with 24 returns for 622 yards and one taken to the house in a 97-yard return to open the game against Maryland.
As far as kick return is concerned, Jackson has the inside track to be the guy, but like in any other year, he won’t be the sole man back deep. That’s where some new blood may come in, according to special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh.
“Kickoff return: obviously Giles is tremendous,” Harbaugh said. “We’ve really put an emphasis this offseason, not only having Giles improve and getting better, but being able to have a great backup for him and a good dynamic guy back there with him. Mike Barrett did a good job for us last year as the off-returner, but we want to be a little deeper overall if Giles, in a situation, isn’t gonna be back there, then who’s gonna replace him? Love that situation.”
Punt return is a different situation. Donovan Peoples-Jones has handled those duties since 2017, but as he’s now with the Cleveland Browns, Michigan is looking for a new man back deep.
That’s where some really interesting names come in. Ronnie Bell got a few opportunities a year ago, but there’s two freshmen who are making a push, Harbaugh notes, including one cornerback that Don Brown recently said runs a 4.38 40.
“It’s really the same guys in terms of punt return,” Harbaugh said. “It’s still a good competition. Ronnie (Bell) probably is the guy right now. He’s got a lot of reps and everything. Giles has been working at that. Blake Corum is a natural punt catcher. Eamonn Dennis for us is a guy who’s dangerous with the ball in his hands. We like what he does. Mike Sainristil has a good amount of reps stacked from last year.
“It’s a good, deep group. We feel like we could be a very good return team. Just excited to find out who those guys are gonna be with more live punts and getting those guys tracking the ball – especially on some windy days like we’re gonna see this fall. That last part and gauging that consistency will determine who ends up being the guy.”
We’ll know more about who will be back deep on both kicks and punts for Michigan football come Oct. 24, when the Wolverines head to Minneapolis for the season opener at Minnesota.
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