Sherrone Moore highlights spring standouts, surprises
Coach Sherrone Moore and Michigan head into summer with a lot to like about the 2024 team, especially on defense. The line should be as good as any in the country with a mix of future first-round veterans and young talent, while the back end is in good shape even after Rod Moore’s loss.
The Michigan senior will likely miss the season after suffering a knee injury, though Sherrone Moore wouldn’t comment other than to see he hoped he’d be back as soon as possible. He’s been extremely pleased with Zeke Berry’s emergence at nickel, though, and believes he’ll bolster the room.
“We’ve got a lot of guys that left, but we’ve got a lot of really good talent here,” Moore said on the In the Trenches podcast with Jon Jansen. “There’s not going to be anybody that’s going to be like Mike [Sainristil], because Mike’s different. But Zeke Berry, man — he’s had a heck of a spring, and he showed that potential last year. You can see flashes.
“He started to put it together from a mental standpoint now, and I’m super excited for him. He’s really done a heck of a job this spring.”
Meanwhile, there’s been talk about the “other” corner opposite Will Johnson. While DJ Waller Jr. has received a lot of praise (and rightfully so), another sophomore seems to have made a move. Jyaire Hill had a nice breakup in the spring game on a sideline pass he played perfectly and continues to progress.
“That kid’s got immense talent to be as good as anybody,” Moore said. “I know I’ve talked to Will a couple times … he is going to be good.
Up front, veteran TJ Guy has been our choice for breakout player on defense, and he continued to show why this spring. There are moments he looks like he’s been shot out of a cannon when he’s rushing the passer.
“There are times in practice it’s like, ‘Man — can anybody block TJ Guy today?’” Moore said. “He’s a dude that’s really jumped out. Aymeric Koumba has some freakish talent for a young, young guy, and Dominic Nichols is going to be a star. He just doesn’t even know it yet.”
Michigan tight ends had a day, will be featured
On the offensive side of the ball, meanwhile, the tight ends emerged at the spring game. Deakon Tonielli had the most impressive downfield catch, while Marlin Klein hauled in a number of passes for decent gains.
Junior Colston Loveland will obviously be the focus as one of the nation’s top tight ends, but there appears to be depth.
“We want to be super multiple, create a lot of issues for defenses, especially with No. 18,” Moore said of Loveland and the tight ends. “He’s special in every single way, but those guys behind him are really good. I’m super excited for Marlin Klein’s progression and what he’s done. Breddy [Max Bredeson] is Breddy. He’s a special player in his own right, in what he does. …
“All those guys are really good, and the guy has stepped up a little bit and done a really good job — because we’re really looking for that fourth guy — is Deakon Tonielli. He’s a guy that had a really good spring and then starting to progress and show his talents a little bit.”
Overall, Moore said, he’s very pleased at what he saw on both sides of the ball.
We have a tough, physical team that has seen how it’s built, understand it, and are willing to do anything for each other,” the Michigan coach said. “They’re competitors, and they compete at a high level.”
