Michigan freshman standing out as an 'unbelievable' athlete: 'He's gonna be a great one'

Michigan Wolverines football defensive line coach Lou Esposito‘s first land in his job was scoring the pledge of high four-star EDGE Nate Marshall in spring 2024, but the Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick product flipped to Auburn in August. The work wasn’t done for Esposito, though. He kept up the relationship and wound up flipping Marshall back to his original choice, Michigan, on signing day in December.

That move could pay dividends down the road, and Michigan is already seeing positive early returns on the 6-foot-3, 240-pound former two-sport star in football and basketball.

Marshall enrolled this summer, so he didn’t go through spring practices. He’s currently in fall camp but, like the other summer enrollees, is in the Bridge Scholars Program, so there’s some time in the classroom this month, as well.

“He is an unbelievable athlete,” Esposito said. “You could line the ball up right now and say, ‘Go pass rush. Go win.’ And he could do that. He’s learning how to play.”

That, plus natural progression as the season goes on, could be enough for Marshall to earn a role on the Michigan defensive line this fall. As of right now, though, he’s behind starters in graduate TJ Guy and senior Derrick Moore, and primary backups in junior Cameron Brandt and sophomore Dominic Nichols.

The flashes are there for Marshall, who played not only defense but also wildcat quarterback and wide receiver as a senior in high school, leading his team to a division title.

“He’s in the Bridge program, so he’s got some class stuff. He is learning every day, because he’s one of the guys that didn’t come in at semester,” Esposito continued. “He just came in earlier this summer, so he’s learning through a fire hose. Every day, he learns something new, and he’s like, ‘Oh, man. I get that now.’

“But athletically he’s really good. He’s gonna physically get better as he’s in the program longer. But he’s super explosive, super twitchy. You can see he was a basketball player. We’re super excited about him. He’s gonna be a great one.”

Deyvid Palepale has done ‘unbelievable job’ this offseason

Michigan sophomore defensive tackle Deyvid Palepale came to the program last year weighing 370 pounds, head coach Sherrone Moore said at Big Ten Media Days. He’s down to 335 now, according to the official roster, quite the transformation. Esposito is fired up about the way he’s working, and he’s slowly working his way into a spot where he could earn playing time down the road.

“Deyvid has done an unbelievable job in the offseason,” Esposito said. “He’s trimmed down. He’s put himself and his body in a situation where he could be totally effective.

“He’s had two really good practices, the last [two] practices, so he’s still a work in progress there. But you’re starting to see him become more vocal.”

Freshman DT Benny Patterson is stout

Michigan freshman defensive tackle Benny Patterson enrolled early this January and has taken strides since joining the Wolverines. He’s bulked up, is strong and improving.

“Benny Patterson is heavy handed,” Esposito said of Patterson, who’s listed at 6-foot-2 and 270 pounds. “He’s not a Bridge kid — he came in early — and he’s a kid that reported in January at 240, and he’s 274 right now. He’s steadily getting bigger, and he’s a heavy handed kid. Super explosive.

“Still makes some freshman mistakes with his eyes, but he’s another one where you can just line him up and say, ‘Its 4th and 2, go knock back the guy in front of you.’ He’s been doing a really, really good job.”