Michigan football: Sherrone Moore discusses two young running backs, early enrollees who are impressing
Michigan Wolverines football is without senior Blake Corum (knee) and junior Donovan Edwards (hand) this spring, providing the opportunity for other running backs to receive more practice reps.
Senior Kalel Mullings, a former linebacker who switched to offense at the end of last season, is playing there. Two youngsters — sophomore CJ Stokes and freshman early enrollee Benjamin Hall — have been catching offensive coordinator and line coach Sherrone Moore‘s eye, too.
“They’ve been awesome,” Moore said.
A Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb product, Hall was just a three-star prospect, but one that running backs coach and run game coordinator Mike Hart identified as a priority target. The 5-foot-11, 235-pounder got to practice some before Michigan’s game against TCU in the Fiesta Bowl, making the trip to Arizona, and has continued to play well this spring.
“We knew he was a good back,” Moore said of the Michigan freshman. “He showed some things that obviously Mike knew — Mike does a great job recruiting and evaluating guys. He’s a guy that wasn’t very highly ranked, but he walks the building, his legs are giant — they’re huge — he’s built.
“He’s always in here. You’ve gotta kick him out. He’s always walking around with a water bottle with his headphones on just always locked in, focused. When he goes on the field, he runs like a train. So excited to see him progress.”
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Hall might be the next overlooked Hart recruit to stand out, like Stokes did in his freshman season at Michigan last year. The 5-10, 196-pounder appeared in 11 games, rushing 55 times for 273 yards and 1 touchdown. He made the most of his time in non-conference play, totaling 114 yards and 1 score in the three contests combined, before a fumble against Maryland sparked a stretch in which he seldom played. He did have 68 and 36 yards in November against Nebraska and Illinois, respectively.
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“CJ has been great,” the Michigan coordinator said. “He’s just continued to build on the progress that he’s had. To watch him really evolve has been really cool. Excited about that backfield. We’re as deep as we’ve been back there, and you don’t even have 2 [Corum] and 7 [Edwards] rolling out there. So excited to watch them get back to it.”
Sherrone Moore breaks down early enrollees
Hall is one of six offensive Michigan early enrollee freshmen on campus already. He’s joined by offensive lineman Amir Herring, wide receivers Semaj Morgan and Fredrick Moore, tight end Zack Marshall and running back Cole Cabana.
“All the guys have been great additions from a culture standpoint, just great fits,” Moore said of Michigan’s early enrollees. “Love all the guys, love all the kids. Start with the guys up front; all those guys have been awesome. Just excited to keep them rolling and get ready for fall camp. Spring ball’s come and we’ve got the spring game coming up and excited to see the progress of everybody, especially our young freshmen.
“Amir — just to watch him grow, to learn the system and see what he’s doing. He’s been really good.”
Moore has taken notice of what Morgan and Fredrick Moore are doing from the wideout spot.
“Really, really excited about these young receivers, to see what they do,” the Michigan coordinator said. “They’re just like little puppies out there, but they’re just full of energy. Full playmaking ability. We’re just excited about that.”
