Michigan's much-anticipated spring game has come and gone. The Maize team triumphed over the Blue team in a defensive battle, with a final score of 17-7.
Of course, it is just a scrimmage, but it can be quite revealing for a program with as much to replace as Michigan, which figures to set a record for most players selected in one NFL Draft next week. Let's talk about what we learned from watching this spring's exhibition.
QB Alex Orji scored the first touchdown of Michigan’s spring game.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) April 20, 2024
The Blue team hit a bowling celebration following the score pic.twitter.com/kMGJyYt3pA
Junior quarterback Alex Orji was certainly treated as the heir apparent to J.J. McCarthy, as he took the lion's share of the snaps for the Blue team. He led an early touchdown drive and almost added another in the fourth quarter, but his second touchdown rush was whistled dead.
Highly touted freshman Jadyn Davis didn't see a ton of field but made a couple of nice-looking throws; based on his usage rate, head coach Sherrone Moore is likely planning on saving him for a bit later.
Fellow junior Jayden Denegal saw some reps for the Maize team, but his performance was incredibly disappointing. He had an ugly interception and another errant pass that hit a defender in the chest, but he was dropped.
Lastly, there's Davis Warren, who, as we discussed before the game, starred in the 2022 spring game and had another nice day, tossing a pair of long touchdowns, including one on a nice deep ball into the end zone. Orji will likely own the starting job on opening day, but Warren proved he belongs in the mix.
There were some flurries of offense after the score was 7-3 late in the game, but the defense should be the team's driving force in Moore’s first season at the helm.
Junior defensive back Zeke Berry impressed and could be a major factor this year as Michigan looks to replace some major losses in that position group.
Additionally, Cole Sullivan looked strong in his role as an off-ball linebacker and could be in line for a breakout as he looks to replace some big names who have moved on.
As the defense surged, the offensive line absolutely struggled. All five starters from last year have graduated, so there’s a long way to go before this unit plays at the level we’ll need to see for Michigan to compete in a supercharged Big Ten.
Senior running back Donovan Edwards had a solid showing in his first appearance as the team’s full-time starting running back after the departure of Blake Corum. Similarly, grad student Kalel Mullings looks fully prepared to fill the role of change-of-pace back.
Perhaps more interestingly, senior Tavierre Dunlap finally looks ready to have his breakthrough as a contributor; he’s not supplanting Edwards or even Mullings but could have a nice year as the team’s third back.
Kendrick Bell, younger brother of former Michigan star Ronnie Bell, is making a name for himself in the spring game. #B1GFootball x @umichfootball
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) April 20, 2024
: @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/V1OkLl4kFz
With Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson leaving Ann Arbor, it’s unclear who will lead the way amongst Michigan’s receivers.
Sophomore Kendrick Bell, younger brother of former Wolverine Ronnie, broke away for a deep ball touchdown in the fourth quarter, while fellow sophomore Fredrick Moore had a great catch-and-run score reminiscent of what Tyler Morris pulled off in the Rose Bowl.
Superstar tight end Colston Loveland is back, and as many pundits noted midgame, the tight ends are “always open” in Michigan’s system, so with so much uncertainty at wideout, keep an eye out for Loveland to have a massive year.
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