Michigan football: Co-offensive coordinator updates key position battles in fall camp

Michigan football is over four days into fall camp and while the dust is far from settled, some key position battles are starting to materialize. Some of them got going in the spring with clear leaders, while others have new names entering the mix.

We start at right tackle, where Michigan has its work cut out in replacing stalwart Andrew Stueber. Seniors Trente Jones and Karsen Barnhart have been duking out for the gig going back to spring. Co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Sherrone Moore has a clear name out in front.

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“Trente ended the spring as a starter, and started camp as the starter,” Moore told the media on Sunday. “Karsen has made tremendous strides, and he’s right there. He’s done a heck of a job, he’ll play for us this year. He’s a guy that we can play on either side. He’s played in his career all four positions besides center. So, he’s gotten stronger, more physical, more twitchy. They all look phenomenal. So Herb and his staff have done an outstanding job, so he’s done a heck of a job for us. And he’s going to continue to push and play for us this year.

“But Trente has had an outstanding four days. He’s a really good player, but Karsen is definitely pushing them.”

Replacing Hassan Haskins

The heading could be misleading, given that there is no true replacement for Haskins on the roster. Michigan has a pair of backs in junior Blake Corum and sophomore Donovan Edwards that should take care of a bulk of the production. They will also affect the offense in other ways, namely as pass catchers in addition to rushing talent.

“They’ve been great, man,” Moore said of his backs. “Again, early for two days in pads, so not much to go on. But the guys are there, they’re working their tails off. All those guys are getting reps. They’re working hard. We don’t really know this early, it’s just we really haven’t done much tackling and stuff yet. That’s when you really figure out what you’re going to do.”

But who on the roster can emerge as someone to grab Michigan a tough yard when it is needed most? That was a separator for Haskins among his peers. And at some point, a third back will be needed to keep the others fresh.

“Hassan was an elite player for us in college football,” Moore said. “So it’s hard to replace him but guys like Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, obviously, we have those two, and now you have [sophomore Tavierre Dunlap], [freshman] C.J. Stokes, and even [junior Kalel Mullings] is getting reps like he did in the spring. Those guys have done a great job for us so far. And I’m just watching those guys continue to progress. Just gonna have to see what we’re gonna have to do.”

Michigan finding ways to get receivers involved

Head coach Jim Harbaugh insinuated at Big Ten Media Days that the pass catchers would have bigger role given the talent and depth on the roster. Moore and co-coordinator Matt Weiss – in addition to wideouts coach Ron Bellamy – will have to figure out how to get most involved.

It is a good problem to have.

“I think in general, just at that position, you got to play with six, seven, eight because they’re running a lot,” Moore said. “So, we’ll see who the guys are. And we’ll continue to push them, but we obviously have some studs, and we’re just ready to put their skill set on display. We’ve got a lot of guys in that room, a lot of guys in the tight end room, running back room. So, it’s just gonna be our job to make sure we get them in the right places at the right time and just continue to make sure one, that they’re in the right place but, two, that they’re fresh when they are doing it.”

Among the leaders in the room is fifth-year Ronnie Bell, who is returning from a torn ACL. He has been full-go in camp and has set personal bests in a handful of speed and agility categories coming off his recovery.

“He’s been great,” Moore said. “Mindset’s been great, leadership qualities great and he looks like he’s his old self out there so he’s been outstanding.”