Eleven newcomers set to make first impression at Michigan football spring game

The 2023 Michigan Wolverines football team will take the field for its spring game Saturday at The Big House (3 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network). The event will give fans an early look at the squad, but there are 11 players in particular who will be making their first public impressions. The Maize and Blue have four transfers and seven freshmen expected to play (others are injured). Here’s a rundown of those newcomers.

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TRANSFERS

Note: Graduate center Drake Nugent and senior offensive tackle Myles Hinton have been limited this spring and aren’t expected to play. Graduate offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson is the team’s other transfer, but he won’t join the team until this summer.

Graduate QB Jack Tuttle

A former Indiana team captain, Jack Tuttle is competing for Michigan’s backup quarterback job, with junior Davis Warren being his primary competition. Expect to see a lot of Tuttle Saturday at The Big House.

Height/weight: 6-4, 210

Jersey number: 13

Stats at Indiana: 15 games (5 starts), 104-of-182 passing for 901 yards with 5 touchdowns and 6 interceptions

Quotable: “‘Why Michigan?’ and ‘Why come here? What’s your goal here?’ I have a couple of goals. But the main goal right now and what I’m focused on is doing everything I can to help this team win a national championship and achieve all of its goals. That’s where my work is going to right now. That’s what I’m striving for, and I’m going to help and do whatever I can to make sure we achieve that goal.” — Tuttle

Senior TE AJ Barner

Also a former Indiana team captain, AJ Barner is projected to compete for a major role at Michigan’s tight end spot.

Height/weight: 6-6, 250

Jersey number: 89

Stats at Indiana: 30 games (9 starts), 42 catches for 361 yards and 4 touchdowns

Quotable: “Physical up front and then helping out in the pass game, making big plays. I have really good ball skills. I’ll just be a great addition and extremely helpful.” — Barner

Junior EDGE Josaiah Stewart

Josaiah Stewart was a two-time All-Sun Belt honoree at Coastal Carolina (first team, 2021; second team, 2022), and is looking to bring some pass rush production to Michigan.

Height/weight: 6-2, 230

Jersey number: 5

Stats at Coastal Carolina: 25 games (17 starts), 79 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 1 pass breakup

Quotable: “He’s different than some of our edge rushers with his measurables, so he’s … we’re just really excited about him. He’s had a productive spring. I think if you talk to some of our guys, they’d say he stood out at times.” — Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter

Sophomore LB Ernest Hausmann

Ernest Hausmann made a big impact for Nebraska against Michigan last fall, in a 34-3 Wolverine win at The Big House, totaling 10 tackles and making his first career sack. He’s competing in a deep linebacker group.

Height/weight: 6-2, 220

Jersey number: 15

Stats at Nebraska: 12 games (7 starts), 54 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery

Quotable: “No. 1, he’s made plays in our stadium in big moments, so we kind of know that’s not going to be too big for him. I think he’s just physically, mentally a tremendous asset to that room. He’ll challenge those guys. We have two incumbent players that my challenge to Ernest is to go take their spot. My challenge to those guys is to hold on to your spot because he’s coming. I’m very excited about the addition of him.” — Minter

EARLY ENROLLEE FRESHMEN

Note: Michigan freshman running back Cole Cabana recently posted a photo of his leg in a cast. Given the nature of the spring game, it’s highly unlikely the staff will play anyone with any sort of injury.

RB Benjamin Hall

Benjamin Hall was a three-star recruit, per the On3 Industry Rankings, out of Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb. He’s a big-bodied ball-carrier who should be able to run with power.

Height/weight: 5-11, 235

Jersey number: 28

Quotable: “He’s a guy that wasn’t very highly ranked, but he walks the building, his legs are giant — they’re huge — he’s built. He’s always in here. You’ve gotta kick him out. He’s always walking around with a water bottle with his headphones on just always locked in, focused.” — Michigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore

WR Fredrick Moore

Fredrick Moore was a three-star recruit, the No. 552 player in the country, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. Moore is a product of St. Louis (Mo.) Cardinal Ritter.

Height/weight: 6-1, 176

Jersey number: 82

Quotable: “Heard that the staff has been very pleased with progression of true freshman Fred Moore. Has had a terrific first spring camp. They are fully expecting him to exceed his ranking.” — TheWolverine.com EJ Holland

WR Semaj Morgan

A three-star in-state prospect from West Bloomfield (Mich.) High, Semaj Morgan slotted as the No. 519 overall player in his class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. He’s expected to play slot for Michigan.

Height/weight: 5-10, 180

Jersey number: 12

Quotable: “Really, really excited about these young receivers, to see what they do. They’re just like little puppies out there, but they’re just full of energy, full of play-making ability. We’re just excited about that.” — Sherrone Moore

TE Zack Marshall

A new addition to the Michigan tight end room, Zack Marshall hails from Carlsbad, Calif. He was a three-star recruit and the nation’s No. 527 overall prospect, per the On3 Industry Rankings.

Height/weight: 6-4, 220

Jersey number: 83

Quotable: “He has developed into a really good tight end after playing wide receiver pretty much his whole career, his first few years of high school anyway. And he won the tight end award at the Elite 11 camp. He transferred schools, and really from the time he stepped down from the smaller school to the bigger school, he blew up nationally.” — Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh

OL Amir Herring

Amir Herring is an interior offensive lineman who was a four-star prospect out of West Bloomfield (Mich.) High. Herring was regarded as the No. 309 overall player in the country per the On3 Industry Rankings.

Height/weight: 6-3, 305

Jersey number: 56

Quotable: “Amir — just to watch him grow, to learn the system and see what he’s doing, he’s been really good.” — Sherrone Moore

CB Cameron Calhoun

The three-star prospect committed to Michigan after the team’s win over Ohio State last November. Calhoun was at the game as an Ohio State visitor. He was the No. 421 overall prospect in the country, coming out of Cincinnati Winton Woods.

Height/weight: 6-0, 171

Jersey number: 22

CB Jyaire Hill

Michigan reeled in four-star cornerback Jyaire Hill on early signing day. He’s the team’s second-highest rated freshman per the On3 Industry Rankings, slotting No. 165 nationally.

Height/weight: 6-2, 171

Jersey number: 20

Quotable: “They’re long, athletic, they’re quick, and they pick up very fast. When we do a drill, they either do it naturally, or if they didn’t do it right the first time, they did the second time — they do it perfect. They’ve done a great job with picking up the scheme.” — Michigan co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale on Hill and Calhoun