Michigan football: Big Ten Network host shares video from inside practice
Michigan football pulled back the curtain a bit on Wednesday with the Big Ten Network cameras rolling in Ann Arbor. Media is typically barred from attending practices, but the conference television network was able to get a sneak peek and a handful of videos from the session.
Wednesday marked the third week of camp for the Wolverines with just 17 days to go until the season opener vs. Colorado State. BTN studio host Dave Revsine was among those at Michigan’s practice on Tuesday and shared some of what he saw.
“Extremely impressive Michigan football practice today,” Revsine tweeted. “Very good team with talent everywhere. Ran a lot of team [work], which we could not tape, but will share some of the [individual] video. Love the WR crew – [freshman] Darrius Clemons looks poised to follow up on big spring game.”
Clemons was not the only wideout that impressed during practice on Wednesday. Revsine also pointed out the play of fifth-year Ronnie Bell, who caught a flea flicker touchdown from sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
The Michigan quarterbacks
“Both QB’s looked solid today,” Revsine said. “McNamara makes such good decisions with the ball, and McCarthy adds a great dimension w his legs. The coolest story might be leukemia survivor Davis Warren, who is competing for snaps as 3rd QB. Legit arm and mobility.”
Revsine also sent out a video of the quarterbacks taking turns making throws. While not much should be gleaned from 30 seconds of practice video, the order of throwers went: senior Cade McNamara, McCarthy, fifth-year Alan Bowman and sophomore Davis Warren. McNamara and McCarthy are competing for the starting job, while Bowman and Warren are duking it out for third-team reps.
Was the current depth chart inadvertently revealed here? There is not nearly enough context or information available to make a case one way or another.
Michigan’s quarterback depth chart is far from set, but head coach Jim Harbaugh addressed the starting battle on Wednesday.
“Harbaugh discussed his Michigan quarterbacks, particularly senior Cade McNamara and sophomore J.J. McCarthy, both of whom are battling for the starting job,” Clayton Sayfie wrote in his presser notes. “He said the race is still too close to call, and that they’ll continue to evaluate. He did reveal that there’s still enough time for one man to separate himself but that there’s a possibility the competition could go into the season.”
Revsine weighs in on the defense, offensive line
The biggest Michigan non-quarterback storyline of the offseason is the pass rush and replacing the production lost from Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo. While the offense has plenty of talent, the defense is holding its own during fall camp.
“Biggest question on defense – replacing outstanding edge rushers Hutchinson and Ojabo, who combined for 25 sacks,” Revsine said. “Taylor Upshaw among those looking to fill the voids. Expected to see the offense dominate in team – but was not the case. Fairly evenly matched.”
Revsine also shouted out the offensive line for how it looked, namely transfer center Olu Oluwatimi.
“OL was fantastic last year – allowed the fewest sacks in the Big Ten and the fewest TFL in the nation – by 10. C Olu Oluwatimi, who transferred from Virginia, looked really good,” he said. “Should be an outstanding unit again.”
Any trip to Michigan would not be complete without a moment from Harbaugh. He was spotted pushing a sled towards the end of practice as things wrapped up in Ann Arbor.
BTN cameras were in Ann Arbor all day, so expect more official video from the Michigan visit soon. While nothing incredibly groundbreaking was shared on social media, others are seeing a group that has a shot to be more than just a one-year wonder.
