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Michigan football: Steve Clinkscale on Ja'Den McBurrows, recovery

Chris Balasby:Chris Balas•08/11/22•

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(Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Michigan sophomore cornerback Ja’Den McBurrows got off to a great start in his freshman year, showing signs of being an outstanding cover corner. A serious knee injury ended his season prematurely, and he spent several months in rehab.

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His recovery is continuing into the fall. Secondary coach and co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale updated his status today, stopping short of saying he’d return this year.

“He’s not 100 percent, but he’s back with us,” Clinkscale said of McBurrows. “Ja’Den is like junior Clink. He’s coaching out there. I love Ja’Den. He’s really grown up a lot for us. He’ll stand on one sideline while I’m on the other sideline, and he’ll help the young guys to make sure they line up correctly … [that] they know they’re assignment, they’re communicating.

“He has worked out a little bit with the training staff — not with us — and I think he’s right there where he needs to be. We look forward to getting him back when he’s able to be back.”

Whether McBurrows returns this year remains to be seen.

“Medically speaking, I think he has a chance,” Clinkscale said. “I’m not exactly sure. But when he is, and if he’s available and able to go out there and do his job, he’ll definitely have a part in the secondary.”

When healthy, McBurrows proved to be fearless and twitchy. He has fluid hips and can cut and adjust on a dime.

Clinkscale is anxious to get him back at full strength to help in his secondary.

“He showed me that he’s physical. He’s super quick and fast,” Clinkscale said of McBurrows. “Now, he’s showing me that he understands the game more and the defense. So, that’s going to gain more trust.

“With freshmen, the biggest thing is not always the skillset. It’s, do they know what they’re doing with that? And there are a lot of factors, a lot of moving parts. But I know that he knows what he’s doing. I felt that way a little bit last year; I’m very reassured now that he does. So, when he’s 100 percent, I think he’ll definitely contribute and be a big asset for us.”

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