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Wolverine TV podcast: What we learned, unanswered questions from Michigan football fall camp

Chris Balasby: Chris Balas08/25/22Balas_Wolverine
Michigan Wolverines football EDGE Mike Morris
Michigan Wolverines football EDGE Mike Morris had a great game against Maryland. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

TheWolverine.com’s Clayton Sayfie, Chris Balas and Anthony Broome break down the latest out of Michigan Wolverines football fall camp on this episode of the podcast. We discuss what we learned, unanswered questions and more.

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Michigan names 2022 team captains

After the recording of the show, Michigan named five team captains in graduate wide receiver Ronnie Bell, a two-time honoree, and four seniors — quarterback Cade McNamara, tight end Erick All, defensive back / wide receiver Mike Sainristil and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.

Bell is the only repeat of the five. He was last year’s captain, but lasted only a half game before a knee injury ended his season. The Michigan receiver is back to full strength.

“I’ve been running routes for months, but … I didn’t run routes with people around me,” Bell said halfway through camp. So [it’s] kicking off the rust off, being comfortable with people around you.

“I don’t know what day it was, but I finally jumped up and made a play on the ball. [It was] one of the early days in camp and it was like once that happened, the biggest weight was lifted off my shoulders I think I’d ever had. Since then, I feel like I’ve been back and rolling.” 

McNamara continues to battle with sophomore J.J. McCarthy for the starting job, but he’s been a leader since last year. He led the Wolverines to their first Big Ten title since 2004 — at Big Ten Media Day in July he said, “I feel like it’s my team” when asked about his role.

All had a breakout season last year and also represented Michigan at Media Day. Smith is expected to build on his first year as a starter in which he plugged the middle, while Sainristil added defensive back duties to his receiver duties. He’s expected to spend most of his time on the defensive side of the ball this season.