Wolverine TV: Mike Morris, Zak Zinter, Cornelius Johnson talk Michigan spring ball, offseason improvement
Michigan Wolverines football is six practices into spring ball as it looks to defend its 2021 Big Ten championship and make another run at the College Football Playoff. Redshirt sophomore defensive end Mike Morris, sophomore right guard Zak Zinter and junior wide receiver Cornelius Johnson met with the media Monday afternoon to discuss practice, what the offseason has been like and more.
Morris was a sub-package player last season who moved all around the defensive line and especially played on the interior during passing situations. This year, he’ll be asked to take on more of a primary role at the edge defender spot, and he’s taken it upon himself to make sure he’s ready. Morris said he will still move around this season, but that he “needs to” be the guy to step up in replacement of Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo, both of which are projected as first round NFL Draft picks next month.
At right guard, Zinter is one of three returning starters on the Michigan offensive line, so he adds continuity. However, he’s getting used to playing next to new players on both his left at center and right at tackle. That’s been an adjustment, but he’s seen the players at those positions step in and acclimate nicely, specifically highlighting the way Virginia transfer Olu Oluwatimi has seamlessly transitioned to Ann Arbor. Zinter also discussed taking on a bigger leadership role with the departures of Andrew Vastardis and Andrew Stueber, and he’s doing it both by example and vocally.
Johnson is another familiar face on the Michigan offense, but he’s got more competition this year than possibly ever. He admitted the Wolverines’ wide receiver room is very strong and will get even better once redshirt junior Ronnie Bell returns full-go after recovering from the ACL injury he suffered in the season opener last season. Johnson discussed the impact that Ron Bellamy, a former Michigan wide receiver himself, has had within the position group and his impressions of spring ball so far.
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Michigan DE Mike Morris
Wolverines OL Zak Zinter
Michigan WR Cornelius Johnson
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