Michigan football: Sherrone Moore updates game week position battles, including a few surprises

To nobody’s surprise, Sherrone Moore named Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood starting quarterback for U-M’s opener with New Mexico Saturday night, having established himself as a clear No. 1 option. With Mikey Keene working back from an offseason injury “but better in the last few days,” sophomore Jadyn Davis is the Wolverines’ backup. 

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“He’s earned the opportunity. It was not given to him,” Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said Monday. “All the other quarterbacks had a really good quarterback, as well. I really thought Jadyn Davis has come along and taken the next steps. He’ll be the two behind him.”

Underwood “took ownership of his abilities and the team … just did things the right way,” Moore said, noting he’d make mistakes, but the coaches would be there to help him along the way. 

As for the other outstanding position battles, there were a few surprises. As reported this morning, Brady Norton made a move at right guard and will start the opener, though Nathan Efobi will play, as well. The other starters are as expected — Evan Link at left tackle, Giovanni El-Hadi at left guard, Greg Crippen at center, and Andrew Sprague at right tackle. Moore confirmed freshman tackle Andrew Babalola would miss the season with a knee injury and undergo surgery.

“I feel like we’re in a good place with those guys,” Moore said. “We got guys behind them that can play. Lawrence Hattar Jake Guarnera, Blake Frazier is going to play. We feel like we have good depth in that group.”

At receiver, Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley is a clear No. 1, with Semaj Morgan behind him. Sophomore Channing Goodwin has surprised and will be the No. 3 guy in front of Fredrick Moore after having a great camp.

“He’s really taken the next step to be that third guy,” Moore reported, followed by Kendrick Bell, Moore, Anthony Simpson. “… Andrew Marsh is going to play. He’s going to be our starting kick returner.”

The Wolverines have two great options at running back in Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes, and both will play. There’s also a battle at No. 3.

“It’s 1a and 1b with Justice and Jordan, so we’ll see who practices this best this week and who will be first, but they’ll both play, and play a lot” Moore said. Freshman Jasper Parker has really turned a corner and could be running back No. 3, he added, though Micah Ka’apana and Bryson Kuzdzal are also both still in the mix.

On defense, defensive tackle Trey Pierce has emerged among the defensive tackles and will likely start with Rayshaun Benny, one of the most impressive defensive movers. “Six or seven” will play, Moore said, but Pierce has really emerged. 

“He has taken it on himself to emerge as one of the top D-tackles,” Moore praised, and possibly an All-Big Ten tackle … he’s put himself in position to do that, be one of the better tackles in the conference.”

Corner, meanwhile, features Jyaire Hill as the clear No. 1 followed by a “bevy of others.”

“It’s Shamari Earls, Jo’Ziah Edmond, Jayden Sanders. We also moved Elijah Dotson to corner,” Moore reported. “There are four guys even pushing Zeke [Berry] … Jyaire has really cemented himself as corner No. 1. Zeke obviously has experience with what he’s done, but those young guys, they’re going to be really, really good.”

At safety, Brandyn Hillman is a “tone-setter” and TJ Metcalf will be out there to start, pushed by Mason Curtis.

“They’re all over the place. It’s hard to pin down one,” Moore said, and that will obviously change when Rod Moore comes back.

Watch TheWolverine.com for more game week coverage in the hours and days to come …