Jim Harbaugh prepares to turn Michigan program around.
I finally got around to watching the Michigan Spring Game the other day, and I was a good bit impressed with what I saw. Jim Harbaugh is wasting no time stockpiling talent in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and making his Spring Training something to build his team.
The night before the game, the teams were "drafted" by coaches. Teams were pretty evenly distributed, so there was no side that was more talented then the other. One of the biggest things that popped during the draft was the first player drafted, it wasn't the more experienced QB Shane Morris, it was the freshman QB Alex Malzone. QB's were live throughout the day so Harbaugh could see how his players handled hits and pressure.
Although he may have been picked second, Morris looked very much alive and separated himself from Malzone as the leader. Proving that he could make throws into tight coverage, at one point triple coverage, and looking calm when under pressure, Morris came alive the second half and played extremely well.
RB De'Veon Smith looked very promising the first drive, breaking out on the first play for a long run. After that, Smith struggled running between the tackles, but he looks violent running the ball and a promising option for Michigan to go with. However, don't expect to see Michigan run with a feature back, I think it will be a rotation with Junior RB Wyatt Shallman looking very talented between the tackles at 6'3" and 244 pounds. His style was very much like a former Harbaugh RB in Toby Gerhart.
WR Amara Darboh looks very talented on fade routes. Twice on the final Blue drive of the first half Darboh caught deep passes along the sideline that ultimately set up Jaron Dukes 14 yard TD catch, and the only score of the game. However, getting separation on post routes into the "seam" or the middle of the field will be Darboh's biggest challenge.
The defense looks very much improved from last year, it was the defense after all who really won the 5 games that the Wolverines did win last season. Jabrill Peppers looks strong making open field tackles and solid on coverage and may end up moving to safety before the season is over. I would love to see Peppers lined up with Delano Hill, who had an outstanding Spring Game as well.
Another player who popped out on the screen was Senior LB Joe Bolden. Bolden showed promise as a tackler and could step up well to replace LB Jake Ryan who just left for the NFL. He was solid (most of the day) in coverage, and played zone well reading the QB and reacting.
Watch DT Ryan Glasgoe this season. Glasgoe looked quick off of the line, making plays in the backfield and could be a disturbing presence in the backfield all season.
Blake Countess made an amazing tackle on 3rd down showcasing his pure strength when he shook off his blocker simply by shoving him away and stuffed the edge run play in the backfield. He was strong on defense, and proved that the secondary is solid for 2015.
Don't forget Alex Malzone. Although he struggled a bit, it was his first day in the Big House (and he is young), he has a lot of potential. Malzone realistically could take over the starting job next season, if not at some point this season if Morris struggles.
Overall, I think Michigan fans have some hope for the 2015 season, at least to establish a winning season, and then a B1G championship appearance in the next 2 to 3 years. Jim Harbaugh brings another dimension to the Wolverines.
That's exactly what the program needs.
