ANN ARBOR, Mich. — One of the most exciting things every year when spring ball comes around is deciphering which young players can step up. Especially those who came to Ann Arbor early as midyear prospects.
It’s quite usual that first-year players end up having some sort of impact, some years more than others. It’s not always the early enrollees, however. Looking back to 2016, summer enrollee, Chris Evans, ended up being the breakout freshman. But in 2017, it started that wide receiver Tarik Black had the look of the standout, before his Week 3 injury. More recently, Dax Hill got an opportunity to start early; in 2021, it was Rod Moore. Last year, though in the final game of the season, running back Jordan Marshall flashed, showing off his future potential.
So who could it be this year?
One candidate is cornerback Shamari Earls, the former four-star who had flipped to Michigan football from Georgia. Through three practices, Earls showed off some skills, but as with any freshman in spring, head coach Sherrone Moore is reticent to give much credence until things get a little more real.
“Yeah, you can definitely see it, especially being that size and that long. For a true freshman, he’s definitely flashed and made the plays you would think he would,” Moore said. “I just reserve reservation to say anything else until we tackle and we really play football because the first two days you’re in helmets and spiders, so it’s tag off. And then Saturday it was thud, so it’s good football, but we want to hit and tackle and see what we’re really all about.”
Perhaps there’s no position more important for the first-year players to come on strong than at wide receiver. The Wolverines did bring in two transfers at the position in former Indiana wideout Donaven McCulley and UMass WR Anthony Simpson (who arrives in summer).
Moore discussed the first-year players at wideout, starting with Browder — who made an impressive play in the first practice, according to TJ Guy. Noting his size, Moore likes what he has in that group.
“Yeah, I feel like that group is really — obviously grown in size. That was an emphasis for me,” Moore said. “I wanted big receivers, and with him and (senior transfer) Donaven McCulley and bringing in Jacob Washington, even Andrew Marsh. He’s not a small guy. He’s a long-limbed guy. I felt like we’d bring in really good size in that group to help us be more explosive in the passing game, and that’s what I wanted.
“And those guys have made plays, and it’s been fun to watch, and it’s been great for our defense and great for the DBs to go with guys that are bigger because, as we know, in the games that matter, you’re going to have to play really big dudes that can go get the football up in the air.
“So it’s been awesome. It’s been very encouraging to watch them all.”
The other first-year players that Moore mentioned was during his rundown of linebackers, when he noted that both Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng and Chase Taylor have made a strong early impression.
Who will be the ones to see the field early, however? It’s unclear, but all who have already made their way to campus should get an opportunity in the spring game on April 19.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football freshmen who are standing out in spring ball
