Michigan Thursday: Good Signs

We love buzz from Fall Camp.  

• OC Jason Beck had a press conference and said Bryce's fundamentals look better even from the end of Spring Ball. 

• Both John Moore Daley and Rod Moore are going to be on pitch counts in Fall Camp.  I've seen some noise on social media that this is bad news.  I find it just the opposite, that two stars are back from injury and they are going to be careful in working them back into playing shape.  This is actually good news as all stars should be on some type of pitch count in camp.

• Rod even had a pick in practice, the QB was the transfer from CSU.  Who I assume is learning the offense. 

• Get ready for the Savion Hiter hype! 

• DC Jay Hill said the following true freshman would contribute on defense this year: Carter Meadows, Titan Davis, Alistar Vallejo, and Tariq Boney. 

• Here is a bonus basketball one from Coach Boynton:  believes that 5-star McCoy could be one of the best perimeter defenders in college basketball next season.  That he is even better and more athletic then they even thought (when recruiting him) in practice. 

What was interesting and something I hadn't considered is that Jason Beck had to face Jay Hill defense last year in the "Holy War".   Here is what they said about facing each other:

Beck on Hill:  "What stands out with Coach Hill is they're very sound. They do an excellent job with technique, but you won't play anybody that does more variation with the fronts, disguising the coverages, and the complements to those things," Beck said. 

"It gives you a lot of great work every day in practice where you're facing multiple fronts, multiple coverages, rolling on the snap, disguising it. So complex defense, and they give you great looks. A lot of great work to go against them every day." 

Hill on Beck:  "They do a good job of finding mismatches and trying to get you out-leveraged in different ways," Hill said. "When you think they're going to run it, they throw it, and when you think they're going to throw it, they run it.

"It keeps you on your toes. Very explosive. And probably the best thing about them, they do a great job of getting the playmakers the ball in space with the opportunity to make plays."

Wolverine Wednesday: Loses Two Players and a Kicker Gets Suspended

Michigan Football will hit the field today after camp opened yesterday.  With camp opening we learned two Wolverines are no longer on the team.  

1. Taylor Tatum who was the former top RB in the country coming out of high school and recent transfer from Oklahoma, has left the team.  He was switching positions from RB to DB and even made a couple plays in the end zone during the Spring Game.  There was even hope maybe he could return kicks and punts and take advantage of his speed.  No reason was given for him leaving and hopefully he will stick in Ann Arbor and play baseball, which was also the intent in moving North. 

2. WR CJ Charleston was an emergency transfer from Youngstown State a couple years ago.  He barely played and was out the entire 2025 season with an injury.  He was on the roster in the Spring but has been in college for 7 years.  We assume he was out of eligibility. 

Tatum clearly is the biggest loss as he is a talented player but maybe he had enough of getting hit everyday and wants to hit a baseball full time.  Or maybe he didn't enjoy the move to defense.   Remember James Hudson from Detroit that left for UC because Harbaugh wanted to move him to the offensive line from the defensive line?  As soon as he gets to UC, they move him to the offensive line.  He was drafted in the 4th round by the Browns and is now with the Patriots.  I guess someone owes Harbaugh an apology. 

Now a strange story out of Georgia, where Michigan Kicker commit Ryan Jung has been ruled ineligible for the season by the GHSA. Ryan transferred from IMG this season. Expect an appeal. The reason for the suspension was not released.

• Brice Marich from X on Michigan Basketball Practice notes:

- Quinn Costello might have the best shot on the team - Brandon McCoy can create his own shot - I can see why Dusty May wanted Marcus Moller. Another 7+ footer with great touch around the rim - J.P. Estrella will be a rebound machine

Michigan Tuesday: Today You Sharpen The Sword

I'm probably watching to much House of Dragons on HBO or maybe I'm recalling the "steel sharpens steel" comment from Harbaugh but this is the analogy I'm using for the start of Fall Camp.  Yes, we wrongly compare battles of war with sporting events but again, since we already do it, I will just plow forward.  

Since Michigan played 3 good quarters in the Citrus Bowl against Texas, this program has changed completely.  The valyrian steel was melted and formed into a blade.  There was short spring practice where the blade was continued to be formed with current and new steel and the handle was created.   Since spring practice was completed, weight had to be added so the sword swung evenly and the handle was formed to fit the hand perfectly.   

Now Fall Camp starts and its time to sharpen the blade for battle and add some decorative carvings for personalization.   That's what its all about isn't?  Being able to be better everyday and much better then the team that was on the field against OSU and Texas.  A new leader brought in discipline and experience.  Two new coordinators will bring a new approach to Ann Arbor and the Big Ten.   

College Football is different now and Curt Cignetti has ruined any type of honeymoon period for any new head coach.  He took one of the worst programs in college football and turned them into a National Champion in 2 years.  Anything less then a playoff berth for the Wolverines will be a failed season.  

I'm in the camp that Bryce did a decent job last year for a 18 year old without any college experience.  This season is going to be riding 100% on his shoulders, his honeymoon is over.   He has to lead, throw accurately, protect the football, and run to extend drives. That is still a lot of responsibility for a 19 year old.  I know he is paid a ton of money, but cash doesn't create a leader.  

This next month is about bonding with teammates, completing the learning of a new offense and defense, getting better everyday, and being all in on the season's goals.   Turning that hunk of steel into a beautiful sword that will perform every Saturday to the best of its abilities.  

• Rod Moore to wear the famous #1 jersey

• Miami's Mario Cristobal got an extension, funny how he became a good coach when Miami started to invest in NIL.

• ND has cancelled their series with IU and replaced them with USC. I expect IU to replace ND with Texas State. IU's non-conference schedule for the next 5 years is a clown show.

• Detroit Cass Tech 2028 five-star OT Antijuan Wilkes will visit for the OK game.

Michigan Monday: Fall Camp Eve

This is it, the last day of summer for our Michigan Wolverine Football team.  Tuesday starts Fall Camp and offically the 2025 Season.  Michigan has new life in the building with a new head coach and two new powerful coordinators.  The team got the S&C program turned around and our 5 star QB got an off season worth of buzz that he wasn't good enough last season.   There should be plenty of motivation in Schembechler Hall right now.  

The buzz from this weekend is that the Wolverines may still be looking for LB help in the portal.  It's 8/3 and if there is still a quality prospect in there, I would be shocked.  There was some hope after this weekend's ruling where the 2022 class could get a 5th year of eligibility, still if they signed an NFL and not in the portal, they can't jump in now.   Which would limit Michigan's candidates I expect. 

This is also a concern Michigan is a little light at the position.  

What to watch in Camp:

1. Bryce improvement, Michigan will go as far as Bryce leads them. 

2. New offensive scheme

3. RB and offensive line, Michigan has talented RB's but will need the OL to perform. 

4. Defense as a whole.  Michigan needs a good pass rush, LB's that can play in space and strong secondary.  Defense will need big improvements over Wink's last stand.  (I'm so happy he is gone!). 

• August Rodney?  With the new ruling does that mean Rodney Gale could come back to Michigan?  He wouldn't need to be in the transfer portal I assume, since he would be joining his old team.  He did play in the G-League for the Pistons, which could be problematic in him coming back. 

• Coach Boynton made an interesting assistant coach hire this weekend.  He hired Orlando G-League head coach Dylan Murphy, who is considered one of the best coaches in the league.  Seems like a solid hire!  Looks like coach learned from Dusty that having a strong staff is the key to success. 

• Tigers always seem to trade away their best pitchers.