Sherrone Moore quick-hitters: Michigan starting QB, OL, potential All-Big Ten defensive tackle, more

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan Wolverines football head coach Sherrone Moore spoke with reporters Monday morning heading nito Saturday’s season-opener against New Mexico. Here are bullet points on the most notable things he said.

Sherrone Moore quick-hitters

• Freshman Bryce Underwood is Michigan’s starting quarterback, while sophomore Jadyn Davis will serve as the backup. Underwood “took ownership of his abilities and the team” during fall camp, earning the job. Moore told the team Sunday that he will officially start. Underwood’s reaction was “calm,” but his father, Jay Underwood, was more emotional when he head the news and said he may shed a tear when the Wolverines take on New Mexico Saturday.

• Halfway through camp, Moore felt Underwood could be Michigan’s starter. They had a scrimmage at The Big House, and a couple throws from the 6-foot-4, 228-pounder made Moore look over at offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey and associate head coach Biff Poggi, and say to himself, “this guy’s pretty good.”

• Michigan’s starting offensive line for New Mexico:
LT: Junior Evan Link
LG: Graduate Giovanni El-Hadi
C: Graduate Greg Crippen
RG: Junior Brady Norton
RT: Sophomore Andrew Sprague

• Junior Nathan Efobi will also see time for Michigan at right guard in the opener. Sophomore Blake Frazier is the team’s third tackle.

• Freshman offensive lineman Andrew Babalola suffered a season-ending injury that will require surgery.

• Graduate safety Rod Moore and sophomore tight end Hogan Hansen are “trending really well” coming off injuries, but Michigan won’t “rush” them back. It’s unclear if they’ll play in the opener.

• Graduate quarterback Mikey Keene is still “working back” from an injury.

• There will be multiple players who see time at nickel. At defensive tackle, “so many guys” will get the opportunity to play. For the defense in general, Michigan doesn’t “blink” no matter who’s on the field.

• Lindsey will call offensive plays from in the press box. Assistant quarterbacks coach Josh Sinagoga will lead the way for his position from on the field, working with Underwood and Co.

• Junior Justice Haynes and sophomore Jordan Marshall are ‘1a and 1b’ at running back, and Moore isn’t sure who will start yet. There are three players contending for the spot on the depth chart behind them — freshman Jasper Parker, sophomore Micah Ka’apana and junior Bryson Kuzdzal.

• Junior Jyaire Hill has emerged as Michigan’s top cornerback, with senior Zeke Berry a starter alongside him. The others who are vying for time are freshman Shamari Earls, sophomore Jo’Ziah Edmond, freshman Jayden Sanders and freshman Elijah Dotson, a top-100 recruit who came in as a safety but has moved.

• if Michigan is in 11 personnel (1 running back, 1 tight end, 3 wide receivers), the wideouts will be gradate Donaven McCulley, junior Semaj Morgan and sophomore Channing Goodwin, who’s “taken the next step.”

• Michigan’s other wide receivers in the mix for playing time are: junior Kendrick Bell, junior Fredrick Moore, freshman Andrew Marsh, freshman Jamar Browder and graduate Peyton O’Leary.

• Marsh is Michigan’s starting kick returner.

• “Surprise” players during Michigan’s fall camp include sophomore linebacker Cole Sullivan, junior defensive tackle Trey Pierce, junior safety Brandyn Hillman, who’s taken the “next step” and is a “tone-setter.” But the guy that “jumps out the most” is Pierce, who Moore believes can be an All-Big Ten performer.

• Moore didn’t comment on who Michigan’s interim head coach will be while he’s suspended against Central Michigan Sept. 13 and Nebraska Sept. 20.