Jim Harbaugh: A Michigan position group could be 'best we ever had'
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has spoken highly of his team since spring, when he suggested there was “scary good” talent. It was evident on both sides of the ball, he noted, and eye-opening.
One position group has the ability to be elite, he said on Monday’s In the Trenches podcast with Jon Jansen … and it should come as no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention.
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When Michigan receiver Ronnie Bell returned for his fifth season, it bolstered a group that featured great players among all classes. From the seniors to the freshmen, there’s a wealth of talent among the pass catchers that will make the best of the best earn their time.
Harbaugh took it a step further than that, even.
“It’s got the license and the ability to be the best that we’ve ever had — better than last year, because they’re all back,” Harbaugh said. “Ronnie Bell is back — he only played for one half last year. [Senior] Cornelius Johnson, outstanding. [Junior] A.J. Henning, outstanding. [Sophomore] Andrel Anthony, outstanding.
“You talk about the great group of young guys, but it’s top-to-bottom. All 15 are really, really good.”
Even the walk-ons, he noted, led by a fifth-year addition in Zach Peterson.
“[Michigan defensive back convert] Eamonn Dennis is doing some things — I think he could really be a factor on special teams, as well,” Harbaugh continued. “[Junior] Roman Wilson has looked better than he ever has. He is having a tremendous start to camp. Fabulous player. And they’re going up against some good DBs.
“[Michigan senior corner] DJ Turner, when he goes to run a 40, it could be sub-4.3, and Roman Wilson is right there with him. Those two run very, very similarly, close together.”
Once called a “freak show” by their coach for their incredible ability, the Michigan freshmen receivers now have to prove it on the field. They’ll get their opportunities, though it’s clear they’ve got outstanding players in front of them on the Michigan depth chart.
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“The three freshmen are really good,” Harbaugh continued. “Tyler Morris did some great things … Darrius Clemons, Amorion Walker. They were all here in the spring. They had great springs.
“But the difference between now and spring is it’s every day now. It’s every day. It’s not that spring where you get every day in between, or two days sometimes, where you get to watch your tape to really study the installs. Now, they’re coming like they’re going to come in the season. It’s every day.”
But so far, so good, he said. It’s harder on the Michigan freshmen than it was in the spring, Harbaugh noted, but he loves the trio and what they bring.
“A few more mistakes being made, but it’s really early in camp and the prediction that all three of them will play and contribute as freshmen are right on track,” Harbaugh said.
Making the Michigan receiver room one of the most exciting it’s been in a long, long time. And, according to their coach, perhaps the best since he’s been in Ann Arbor.
