Michigan frosh linebackers wowing, Hill-Green ready to return
Michigan will face Maryland Saturday in Ann Arbor in the Big Ten opener, and the Wolverines are healthy on defense — and could get healthier. Junior linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green, a projected starter earlier in the season, has been out with a “soft tissue injury,” but could be back as soon as this weekend.
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Michigan grad student Michael Barrett and junior Kalel Mullings have held down the fort in his absence, having played well. But they’ll need all hands on deck for the Big Ten season, and Hill-Green can help.
“Nikhai, when I think of him, it’s ‘toughness,'” Michigan linebackers coach George Helow said on the Inside Michigan radio show Monday. “He would punch a hole in that wall right now if he was here. He’s another guy who loves to practice, loves to compete.
“He brings the physical toughness at the position. He’s a leader. I can’t wait for Nikhai to get back on the field. He’s been positive with what he’s going through right now. I have high hopes for him, and I’m just looking forward to getting him going here soon.”
Even if Hill-Green is ready, Barrett might be the one to see extensive action this week. He’s more of a hybrid and outstanding in pass coverage, having proven it over the years at Michigan.
He’ll be a big part of the game plan against Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and his receivers Saturday.
“If you look at [his] defensive snaps last year, he only had 187 snaps, which is probably a little over two games, maybe three games depending on how you break it down,” Helow said. “A lot of snaps, they were at defensive back. They were in one of our nickel packages that he played in last year.
“He’s been playing behind the ball. The more reps he’s getting, the more comfortable he is. He’s been playing hard, had really solid performances in the first three games. I’m just looking forward to Mike getting better. I think he’s hungry, very excited, and he’s also comfortable being year two back in a similar type of system we’re running.”
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The Michigan trio of inside linebackers has shown they’ll be great additions in the coming years. They’ve gotten some run and a lot of time in practice, as well, to show what they can do.
“All three of the freshmen — I’m really pleased with what they’re doing,” Helow said of the young Michigan linebackers. “Playing inside ‘backer, there are a lot of things going on … setting the front, tying into coverages and the fronts, making the calls every play. You’re the quarterback of the defense.
“There are three freshman guys in that group —Jimmy Rolder, Micah Pollard and Deuce Spurlock. They’re all doing a really good job. There is really good depth with Junior [Colson] and Mike Barrett, Kalel, Nikhai Hill-Green. Like we had Josh Ross last year who was a really good leader, some of those guys have emerged as leaders. They’re learning from them. They’ve got limited roles right now, but doing a really nice job.”
Colson, meanwhile, has been a beast as expected in the middle of the Michigan defense.
“Junior’s really fun to coach,” Helow said. “He loves football; he loves to compete, and he wants to be great. He loves to practice … doesn’t miss reps on the practice field.
“He’s a really smart guy. We’re asking him to do a lot. He plays the MIKE, he plays the WILL … we move him around. He is just really diagnosing plays well. Love how he’s running to the ball, the effort he’s playing with, the toughness that he brings to the defense.
“I’m just really proud of him and look forward to continue watching him develop as the season goes on.”
Michigan will face Maryland at noon Saturday in Ann Arbor.
