Michigan football camp preview, Part III: Key additions, position battles to watch – MLive.com

Note: This is the third story in a three-part series previewing the start of Michigan footballs preseason camp, which formally kicks off Friday in Ann Arbor.

To read Part I (on Jim Harbaughs busy offseason), click here.

To read Part II (what we learned in the spring), click here.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. As Michigan gets ready to take the field today for its first official practice, theres a lot still to be sorted out.

Position battles from spring rage on, while coaches will keep a keen eye out for players taking the next step in their development.

Theres also plenty of work to be done on the defensive side, where first-year coordinator Mike Macdonald is still in the implementation stage of his new scheme. And even when it is ready to go, its going to take some time for his players to get a full grasp of it.

Meanwhile, Friday marks the first day for the second wave of Michigans 2021 recruiting class a group of incoming freshmen tabbed as the programs future. They may not make waves initially, but camp will serve as their first taste of the college level. It will also mark the first day for three new graduate transfers, all of whom could play pivotal roles for the Wolverines this fall:

Texas Tech quarterback Alan Bowman throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)AP

QB Alan Bowman A three-year starter at Texas Tech, Bowman provides an immediate injection of experience and productivity into Michigans quarterback room. The Grapevine, Texas, native started 16 games in the Red Raiders Air Raid offense, throwing for more than 5,200 yards and 33 touchdowns (and 17 interceptions) while setting freshman Big 12 records in 2018. But Bowmans also been hindered by injuries, and is limited in his skillset, making him a questionable fit for Michigans offense.

WR Daylen Baldwin An under-the-radar recruit, Baldwin played two seasons at Morgan State before transferring to Jackson State, where his breakout spring season put him on the radar of Power 5 schools. The Southfield, Mich., native wound up choosing Michigan and gives Josh Gattis receiver room added depth and an experienced playmaker. In six games at Jackson State, Baldwin caught 27 passes for 540 yards and seven touchdowns while earning SWAC Newcomer of the Year honors.

DT Jordan Whittley Michigan bolstered its defensive line this offseason by adding Whittley, a 6-foot-1, 358-pound defensive tackle from Oregon State. The California native didnt play in 2020, and started one game as a redshirt junior in 2019, but was disruptive at the junior college level. Whittley likely wont start for the Wolverines, but could be utilized on a situational basis.

Which brings us to the most important part of camp: Differentiating the contenders from the pretenders. This is a vital part of the preseason where coaches make final decisions on who might start Week 1 against Western Michigan and who will crack the depth chart for playing time.

More: Mike Macdonald wants new U-M defense to be a living nightmare for opponents

Here are the position battles and storylines well be monitoring:

Michigan offensive lineman Chuck Filiaga (66) tries to keep Penn State defensive lineman P.J. Mustipher (97) out of the backfield in the first quarter of their Big Ten football game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, on Saturday, November 28, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

How the offensive line shakes out. We already know that Ryan Hayes will be the starter at left tackle, and that Zak Zinter and Andrew Stueber are shoe-ins to start up front. But where Zinter and Stueber wind up could depend on what happens at left guard and center. Michigan really, really likes Zinter and wants to maximize his talent, so starting him at center is a real possibility. If that happens, then Stueber would likely slide to right guard and Michigan would have to find someone else (Trente Jones? Karsen Barnhart?) to play right tackle.

Meanwhile, Trevor Keegan appears to have caught up to fifth-year center Chuck Filiaga at left guard, making for what could be an interesting battle to watch in camp. With Sherrone Moore now coaching the offensive line, Michigan appears to have changed direction and decided to go with the five best linemen regardless of their position. That should allow them to be a bit more nimble and change things up as needed, especially with Zinter (center/guard) and Stueber (guard/tackle) able to play multiple spots.

Who else emerges at WR? We know Ronnie Bell, Michigans leading receiver last season, is the leader of the wideouts. We expect him to get his share of targets again this fall. But with proven receivers Nico Collins and Giles Jackson no longer in the picture, who else steps up to carry the load?

Cornelius Johnson appears to be on the cusp of that role, having caught 16 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns last fall. His 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame makes him a difficult player to cover, and another year under his belt should help. But Roman Wilson, Mike Sainristil and A.J. Henning are next in line, eager for more opportunities. With reliable, consistent quarterback play, they all should be in a position to take advantage.

More: OC Josh Gattis prefers to leave disastrous 2020 season in the past

Michigan defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)AP

EDGE/LB depth is a concern. There are fewer bodies among edge rushers and linebackers than a year ago, a product of the coordinator and scheme change. Which makes keeping Aidan Hutchinson and Taylor Upshaw healthy and on the field a priority. But if something goes wrong, who is next in line? David Ojabos name has come up as a potential backup edge rusher, but hes played sparingly and was recruited to fit the previous scheme.

Elsewhere, Michigan returns just six scholarship linebackers from a season ago, a group that includes presumptive starters Josh Ross and Michael Barrett. The remaining four have zero combined starts and largely saw playing time last fall in lopsided games. Getting them ready will be important this fall.

The second cornerback spot appears up for grabs, with redshirt junior Vincent Gray in danger of losing his starting role to D.J. Turner. The news comes as Gray started all six games last fall and was declared Michigans No. 1 corner on the team, while Turner appeared in just one game, late in a blowout. Which begs the question: Has Gray fallen behind, or has Turner showed massive improvement since last fall? We havent heard much about Turner, so Ill bet the former.

Gemon Green came out of spring practice with the other side solidified, continuing his ascension from a rocky start to 2020. Michigan also some figuring out to do with others, like Jalen Perry and George Johnson. Are they a corner? Are they a safety? Dont be surprised if Michigan deploys more looks with five defensive backs this season.

Read more on Michigan football:

Michigan to host maize out vs. Washington

Camp battles will help shape Michigans offensive line this fall

D.J. Turner pushing older Vincent Gray for starting CB spot

Daxton Hill, Aidan Hutchinson sign their way to history in Ann Arbor

DT Mazi Smith impressed this offseason; can he solidify a spot up the middle?

Read the rest here:
Michigan football camp preview, Part III: Key additions, position battles to watch - MLive.com