Jim Harbaugh talks Michigan starting linebackers, secondary
Michigan is so loaded at so many positions that head coach Jim Harbaugh is struggling to identify only the usual number of starters. They’ll continue to rotate players throughout the non-conference season, including the back end of the defense.
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The inside linebacker position is “really, really good” the Michigan coach said in identifying starters.
“It’s like saying you’ve got multiple starters, where there should just be one starter there, because there’s going to be a rotation,” Harbaugh said. “[Junior] Kalel Mullings has really surged. [Sophomore] Junior Colson, we knew what his talents were as a starter. [Grad student] Mike Barrett … all three will interchange, whether it’s base, whether it’s nickel, dime.”
Harbaugh confirmed Michigan junior Nikhai Hill-Green has been banged up.
“Well see if he’ll be [ready] … he had a soft tissue thing that he’s working through, whether it’s game one that he plays or game two,” Harbaugh said. “But he’s also a starter along with Kalel. We’ll see who plays there.
“[Freshmen] Jimmy Rolder, Micah Pollard, who moved from outside ‘backer to inside ‘backer, has been tremendous. A tremendous position move there. And [frosh] Deuce Spurlock. Those three guys are going to play a lot of football, as well.”
The Michigan secondary has been “really good in everything,” Harbaugh added. Everything is settled, he said, heading into the first game with Colorado State.
“We have a plan moving forward. Take corner, for example,” Harbaugh said. “[Senior] DJ Turner, [grad student] Gemon Green, [senior] Mike Sainristil — those are your starting corners. There are two in base, but there are three when you go to nickel. Mikey is our starting nickel, but they can also … they’ll interchange in base, as well. We’ve got three starters there.
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“[Freshman] Will Johnson is right there, as well, coming out of camp. Tremendous. Maybe our best freshman that’s on the roster. He looks great at corner. Those four will be the corners. We consider them all really first-team players.”
Michigan juniors RJ Moten and Makari Paige, along with sophomore Rod Moore, are the starting safeties, Harbaugh added.
“Because we do different packages,” he explained. “There’s base where there are only two safeties. When you go to a stronger nickel package and you want a third safety in there, we’ve had that. Makari Paige has had a really good camp coming off a really good spring. He’s good and ready to go.
“Caden Kolesar is the fourth safety. He’s also our No. 1 special teams player. We’re in good shape there knowing who’s lining up and where they’re lining up on defense.”
All should get significant playing time in the early part of the Michigan season to strengthen their positions.
