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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — One of the common things often heard from a fan base when their team is struggling is that the program should insert whatever players that aren’t playing when others are having issues on the field.
That’s certainly been the case for Michigan fans with the secondary. As first-time starters at cornerback Vincent Gray and Gemon Green have had up-and-down performances in the first four games of the season, some fans want the experiment to be over, demanding to see new blood at the position. However, there are various reasons why that won’t likely be the case.
Often times — if not all of the time — the two starters are the best players available. Sometimes, others aren’t ready. In others, there are injuries that have either hindered their development or they’re currently not 100%, which inhibits their ability to see the field at present.
For Michigan, it’s riding with Gray and Green, but as questions about their viability continue to swirl, cornerbacks coach Mike Zordich explained on Wednesday where some of the other candidates — DJ Turner, Sammy Faustin and Andre Seldon — are at this point in the season.
“They’re developing – I think that’s a great way to put it,” Zordich said. “DJ was on the move and then he had an unfortunate – I wouldn’t say an injury, but something that was nagging him that kind of put him behind. Sammy – same thing with Sammy. Moved Sammy over, loved his body type, his speed, his athletic ability – he could definitely do it (but) he had a little setback.
“And Dre — I gotta give a lot of credit to (Andre) Seldon. He’s a smart, tough guy, man. He’s coming along really well.”
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According to PFF, thus far, Turner has seen 11 defensive snaps — all against Wisconsin this past week, Jalen Perry has played 31 (MSU, Wisconsin), and Faustin played 13 on special teams, whereas Seldon and Darrion Green-Warren have yet to see playing time at any position.
That hasn’t been the case as much at safety, where true freshman Makari Paige has played in each of the four games thus far, with 107 snaps now under his belt.