Podcast: Colston Loveland and other Michigan players who are No. 1 at their position group, bogus Will Johnson rumors
On this episode of TheWolverine.com Podcast, Clayton Sayfie, Chris Balas and Anthony Broome talk Michigan Wolverines football and basketball, including topics pre-spring football and the season-ending injury to hoops graduate forward Olivier Nkamhoua.
Watch this episode in the video player above or on our YouTube channel. Listen in the embed below or search ‘The Wolverine’ wherever you get your podcasts.
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Topics discussed are:
- PFF naming junior tight end Colston Loveland as the nation’s top returning tight end
- Other Michigan players who could be No. 1 at their position group
- New position coach Steve Casula‘s comments on the tight ends
- Junior cornerback Will Johnson to Alabama rumors (started by Crimson Tide fans) being CAP — and what cap means
- Outlook on the offensive line heading into spring ball
- Michigan basketball forward Olivier Nkamhoua undergoing season-ending wrist surgery
This week, Loveland was named the top returning tight end in the country. PFF continues to release its rankings of the top 10 players at each position group, and Michigan may have some more who check in No. 1 as time goes on.
“Maybe defensive tackle, right?” Balas said. “Maybe corner. That’s the thing, you know, it’s funny, everybody’s like, ‘They lose so much!’ One of my buddies said, ‘LSU went 5-5 the year after winning the natty,’ and I get it. And it’s really going to come down to quarterback, too, right? That’s going to be the biggest position. But [senior running back] Donovan Edwards, I wouldn’t call him No. 1, but when he’s on, he’s on. He’s really, really good, and you can use him in different ways.
“So, yeah, there are several. When you’ve got that many guys, and you’ve got guys like [Michigan junior linebacker] Ernest Hausmann, who’s played a lot of football, you’ve got guys like [junior EDGE] Derrick Moore and [senior EDGE] Josaiah Stewart, hopefully, you’ve got guys like [senior safety] Rod Moore, who I think is going to be one of the top safeties in the country. You’ve got [graduate safety] Makari Paige.
“Now, it’s going to be about developing depth, and that’s what made this team, team 144, so special. But you’re right, and there’s still a lot of talent here, so hopefully they can keep their guys, hopefully they can add a few from the portal — and then guys, I’m telling you, you’re talking about at least competing in the Big Ten here, even with that tough schedule. I can’t wait for that Texas game. I can’t believe I’m already counting the months! I don’t usually wish away my summers, but damn, fellas, if they keep everybody, I can’t wait until Michigan football season.”
