Jaylen Harrell working on taking the next step at Michigan
Michigan‘s biggest offseason challenge is finding a way to fill the roles vacated by Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo in the pass rush. It will be a team effort in doing so and all hands have been on deck this offseason to figure out what comes next.
One of the options comes in the form of third-year linebacker Jaylen Harrell, who got some extended time last season. He appeared in all 14 games with four starts and often was Ojabo’s replacement on run downs.
This year, Michigan may need him to be more. Mike Morris and Taylor Upshaw could lead the way in the pass rush department, but Harrell’s experience puts him in the mix for a big role.
“[Finding ways] to just get better as a player and build these bonds with my teammates,” Harrell told the media on Thursday. “Just get better and keep stacking days and just keep building and building and get where you want to be.”
Michigan expects Harrell to be more than just a one-trick pony. He has taken on that challenge and has used the spring to improve the finer details of his game.
“I’ve improved the most just holding onto the little details and technique,” he said. “Also honing in more on my pass rush and in coverage, as well.”
Michigan, Harrell look ahead
Given a decent chunk of game experience under his belt, Harrell is feeling more comfortable. It also helps that Michigan will be in the same defense it was last year. Some of the names on the staff are different, but knowing the scheme is creating a more free-flowing atmosphere.
“Having a little bit of experience, you just go out there and play freely,” Harrell said. “Not as much thinking going on with the playbook. Just going over stuff and refining things.”
Hutchinson and Ojabo take 25 sacks from last season with them. The Wolverines are still seeking ways to replicate the production, but it will have to look different by necessity.
“That’s not something you’re going to replicate,” Harrell said. “Those guys are gone. They did what they had to do at a high level. It is our time to come ahead and step up. And there’s still a lot to do to just take this team to the next level.”
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Now that Harrell finds himself one of the veterans on the team, he is able to weigh in on the next generation of contributors. He sees a few bright futures in some of Michigan’s early enrollees.
“[Defensive tackle] Mason Graham, he’s a dog,” Harrell said. “He’s going to be really good for us. [EDGE rusher] Derrick Moore, he’s good too.”
The spring game
Harrell was drafted to the Blue team of Saturday’s scrimmage in Ann Arbor. The winners will receive a steak dinner, while losers will be forced to eat hot dogs.
He has a proclamation ahead of Saturday.
“I’m not gonna disclose who we have on the team, but we got some stuff cooking,” Harrell said. “The Maize team will be eating hot dogs come Saturday afternoon.”
Michigan’s spring game is free for all fans wanting to attend. Doors will open to Michigan Stadium at 11 a.m. ET. The Wolverines will take the field to warm up and go through practice drills around 11:30 a.m.
Big Ten Network will televise the practice and scrimmage live at 12 p.m. The radio broadcast will begin at 11:45 a.m. from The Michigan Sports Network from Learfield on WXYT Radio – 97.1 The Ticket in the Detroit area.
Brandon Gaudin will be on play-by-play for BTN with former Michigan tight end Jake Butt on color commentary. The radio broadcast will be the debut of Doug Karsch as Michigan football’s play-by-play voice with former Wolverine Jon Jansen on color duties.
