Michigan football: Position battles to watch closely out of spring ball (not just starters)

Michigan has talent all over the field, as evidenced by the April 1 spring game. A lot of positions are essentially sewn up — No. 1 quarterback, 1 and 2 running back, both offensive guards, etc. — but a few aren’t, and there’s playing time for others.

Here are a few battles we’re watching closely heading into the summer based on what we heard coming out of spring.

No. 1 Michigan wide receiver (or No. 2)

We’d bet heavily on Cornelius Johnson leading the team in receiving. He did it two seasons ago when Ronnie Bell went down, and the coaches love their veterans. They know what they’re doing, they’re usually very good blockers by this point in their career … they have a good rapport with the quarterback, and they’re where they’re supposed to be on their routes.

But … who’s No. 2, and can someone like Roman Wilson vie for No. 1? He was finally fully healthy by the Fiesta Bowl after getting banged up earlier in the season, and he responded with 5 catches for 104 yards and a touchdown (two, really … but we digress). He put in a lot of work in the offseason to get stronger.

“Basically, just my whole game,” he told Jon Jansen on the In the Trenches podcast on what he’s working on. “I’m trying to become a better route runner, pass catcher … trying to emulate a lot of players I like in the NFL and old college players, see what kind of player I want to be and fit in on this team.”

But there’s one area in particular that could make him a 1,000-yard threat … getting off the line and maintaining his routes. He’s got the speed and the hands, so that’s where he’s been concentrating his efforts.

“I really like watching Stefon Diggs, Mike Evans … people who are very sudden with their releases,” Wilson said. “I feel like that’s something I could add to my game, knowing how fast I am. I’m trying to improve my suddenness and my routes.”

If he does … watch out.

No. 2 quarterback

Jack Tuttle or Davis Warren. Or — maybe — Alex Orji?

Of these three, Orji’s improvement stood out the most at the Michigan spring game. He completed 4 of 6 passes, had some nice runs (as always) … he’s extremely athletic, and his 41-yard completion to Fredrick Moore into the wind was the most impressive throw of the day.

This is a guy you don’t want to lose … but how do you get him on the field?

Warren has the skillset and had a nice spring, too, minus a poor interception in the spring game.

“Just the level of competition every single day. Like we go at it, like the offense, the defense, special teams — we’re getting after it every single day,” Warren said of the Michigan QB room. “We’re pushing each other, making each other better. We’re getting in each other’s faces sometimes.”

But it’s a healthy competition. Tuttle had two turnovers and bailed from the pocket early a few times but also showed he could run.

We expect to see Orji situationally again, but who’s the backup? It’s up for grabs. And it wouldn’t surprise to see the room thin out a bit, too.

No. 3 running back — Michigan has options

No. 1 and No. 2 are easy — Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards form one of the best duos in the country. But … who’s No. 3?

There are three options here in senior Kalel Mullings (having moved from linebacker), frosh Benjamin Hall, and sophomore CJ Stokes. Stokes didn’t play in the spring game, and Hall took advantage as one of the day’s top players overall. .

“Ben Hall — we knew he was a good back,” Michigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore said. “He showed some things that obviously Mike [Hart] knew … he goes on the field, he runs like a train. So excited to see him and progress.

“And CJ has been great. He’s just continued to build on the progress that he’s had. To watch him really evolve has been really cool. So … we’re as deep as we’ve been back there.”

Don’t forget about Mullings, Michigan senior linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green added.

“He’s Mr. Versatility,” he said. “He can do everything.

“I feel like Kalel’s ceiling is high. Everyone in that running back room … it’s a deep room, but I can’t wait to see how good he’s going to be because he really in essence just started playing running back.”

Is it going to be No. 3 by committee until someone proves himself? It’s possible. And there should be plenty of carries to go around in the non-conference portion of the season..

Inside linebacker

Last year, Michigan essentially had two players here when Hill-Green went down with an injury. Junior Colson and Michael Barrett did an outstanding job, but they needed help.

Now there are four and a few more, including sophomore Jimmy Rolder. Ernest Hausmann has joined the room from Nebraska, and he might be hard to keep off the field.

“I like his length,” Hill-Green said. “What I’ve been trying to help him out most with is shedding blocks, because we’re in a defense where we need finesse linebackers, but we need linebackers who can win that one on one, shed the blocker and make that tackle. Me and him, we’ve been one on one working on that together.

“But I like him. He’s a worker. He’s a sponge. He absorbs information well. I’m just excited to see how good he can be; how good I can be, and how good our entire room can be.”

We’re excited to see how the reps are handled. Colson will get more rest time now, but he’s the clear No. 1. After that, there are several guys vying for time, and all very talented.

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