Sherrone Moore on NCAA and text messages, O-line and D-line battles, Rayshaun Benny
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore met the media Monday and didn’t hold back about his team’s potential. He also had a few words for those who questioned whether his reported 52 text messages with Connor Stalions might be damaging to his reputation or U-M’s “signgate” case being investigated by the NCAA.
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“I’ll just say this … that I look forward to them being released,” Moore said. “… My only statement is we’re cooperating with the NCAA fully, have in the past, will in the future. We’ll continue to do that. It’s an ongoing case, and we need to preserve the confidentiality of the proceedings.
More than anything, though, he wanted to talk about his team. The Wolverines will have “four or five” first round draft picks next year, Moore noted, and they have a lot of talent. Asked about the daunting schedule he responded, he noted those teams have to worry about playing Michigan, too.
“Camp is going phenomenal. We’re in a really, really good place, getting callouses as we like to say around here,” Moore said. “We’re having a physical camp, but also having fun, too.
“Competition is at an all-time high. Guys are not satisfied where they’re going to be, and we’re going to continue to do that.”
Michigan offensive line continues to shine
Though Grant Newsome is now coaching the offensive line, Moore’s fingerprints remain all over it. He loves what he’s seen amid reports that the guys up front are holding their own against what should be one of the nation’s top defensive lines.
“They’re coming together great. You can ask the defensive guys; they’re giving them a run for their money,” Moore said. “I know that as long as I’m here, we’ll be good up front. We’ll be violent; we’ll be physical. We’ll be tough, relentless … all the things you want.”
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Moore raved about left guard Gio El-Hadi, but the starting five has yet to be set.
“We have a couple guys that have cemented themselves as ones, but not a whole first group yet,” Moore said. “I think we’ve got a lot of battles still going. Kind of like last year, Myles Hinton started the first 4, 5 games then didn’t start after that but still played. Competition is just going to continue to go into the season as we keep going. I’m excited to see who rolls out in week one.”
They remain extremely deep there, he added.
“I think we’re in a good place, nine or 10 guys competing on a daily basis,” Moore said. “I’m excited about that group.”
Moore provides Rayshaun Benny, DL update
Michigan veteran defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny broke his lower leg in the Rose Bowl, but he’s back and better than ever. Moore said this summer he expected his senior to be ready by this point, and he is.
“He’s been awesome. He came back, and you never know with a foot or ankle how it can be,” Moore said. “It’s like nothing really happened. We just try and just progress and progress him. He gets mad at us and me sometimes like hey, I want more; I want more! He’s been great.”
The backups behind him, Kenneth Grant, and Mason Graham are also progressing, Moore said.
“You’ve got Enow Etta, who has really stepped up. You’ve got Trey Pierce who has really stepped up,” Moore said. “On the edge, you’ve got Cam Brandt mixed in there a little bit and stepped up. With Josaiah Stewart, Derrick Moore, TJ Guy, now you’re building depth and a group you think you can go win with.”
