Notebook: On ‘dynamic’ Jordan Marshall, ‘improving’ Evan Link and the Michigan OL shakeup, punter, and more
TAMPA — Michigan is in Tampa preparing for the ReliaQuest Bowl with Alabama, a game in which the Wolverines have several opt-outs while the Crimson Tide are nearly at full strength. U-M head coach Sherrone Moore insists his guys are in it to win it even shorthanded, citing great preparation and a number of players who have stepped up in the last month.
At running back, U-M will be without seniors Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards, giving the young guys and opportunity to show what they can do. We’ve been waiting to see more of true freshman Jordan Marshall, and appears we’ll get our opportunity after kickoff Tuesday.
“First, Jordan Marshall, he’s a young kid [but] he’s dynamic,” Moore said. “We really felt really good about him throughout the year. He had a couple of bumps and bruises and was limited a little bit, and is at full strength now. He’s got a chance to be a really special player. So, we’re really excited about him.
“I think [the group] just needs to be who they are [Tuesday]. Jordan is going to be a special back. He just needs to be him. Ben Hall has flashed and done things, and the other guys — Micah Ka’apana, you haven’t seen very much of him, but he’s a kid that’s super dynamic. I’m super excited for all of them.”
The Michigan offense will need the guys up front to pave the way for them, and that group, too, will look different. Left tackle Myles Hinton won’t play in the game, having declared for the draft, so right tackle Evan Link will move to the left side from right tackle.
‘We’re really excited about the guys that are going to play in the game,” Moore said. “Evan Link, he’s obviously been there, moving over to left, and Andrew Sprague [will be] getting a start [at right tackle. I feel really confident about him. He’s a guy that’s super talented that we’ve moved into the game a little bit and played, and then the guys that have played inside are the same guys [for Tuesday]. I’m super excited for them and the opportunities that they have.
“Evan has been great. He switched in fall camp from the position where he naturally was at [guard], and he’s done a really good job. I’m really excited about him. Really, the last two games he played exceptional. He played really good in the last game of the year, and he’s had a really good month of prep. I’m excited for him and what he’s going to do.”
Michigan football bowl game notes
• Moore said the Michigan offensive coaching staff is now set for the year with O.C. Chip Lindsey’s addition. He’s also brought back Juan Castillo, a former analyst under Jim Harbaugh, to help with the offensive line in the same position.
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“Coach Castillo has been a guy I’ve known for a long time,” Moore said. “He’s obviously been here and been back, so he’ll be back helping. He’s just a veteran guy that’s been in the NFL, that’s been in college, groomed really high-quality offensive linemen.
“Obviously, that’s an important position for me. I want guys that I feel like can help that position.”
• Hudson Hollenbeck will handle Michigan punting duties this game with Tommy Doman having moved on, Moore said, though Marlin Klein could also get a look (“his leg is unbelievable,” Moore added). Hollenbeck or placekicker Dominic Zvada will handle kickoff duties.
• Moore and Michigan are still looking for more receivers, but he things he got a good one in Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley.
“Big tall 6-5 receiver. We haven’t had that big, 6-5 ‘X’ since Nico Collins,” he said. “[We placed] huge emphasis on getting a couple big guys. We have him and Jamar Browder right now, two 6-5 receivers. We might go get another one — we’ll see. But we really wanted big receivers on the outside, not just big tight ends.”
