ITF EXTRA: Final Michigan football fall scrimmage reports, intel

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh let the cat out of the bag about injuries on his Monday night coach’s show — nothing major, but a handful of guys banged up. We address that, the last Saturday scrimmage, and more in our last camp update before the Saturday opener with ECU.

Starting with the injuries, which have piled up in the secondary. Harbaugh talked about Michigan starting safeties Rod Moore and Makari Paige Monday night. The Wolverines could be down another starter in the secondary, as well, though nothing will be determined until game time. Harbaugh spoke glowingly of sophomore Keon Sabb, and he had a great week last week. We’d heard he’d be starting, which makes more sense given the latest injury update. It’s not ideal, of course, to have him back there without an experienced starter next to him, but that might be the reality.

UMass transfer Josh Wallace will be one of the corners. He’s had a great camp. Mike Sainristil can go between nickel and corner and probably will Saturday, with Ja’Den McBurrows also in that role. McBurrows is coming on, but Wallace has been good. He’s been a great addition. We’ll see quite the rotation at corner, especially if they’re down another man — nothing serious, more precautionary. As it was explained, many of those “banged up” would likely play if it were Ohio State week, for example.

The front seven — very healthy, and very capable. Josaiah Stewart had another good Saturday getting to the quarterback, but sophomore Derrick Moore is coming on strong. He’s playing extremely well with less weight and was “a handful” — “they think he’s going to have a breakout year.” But the guys in the two-deep both up front and among the linebackers are all playing and playing well, minus one banged up linebacker. The top three Saturday are as expected: Junior Colson, Michael Barrett, and Ernest Hausmann.

On offense, Michigan junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy continues to shine. He threw one pick Saturday, but those have been few and far between. He has a better grasp of the offense, is playing with great confidence, and has really thrown the deep ball well. Sophomore receiver Tyler Morris has missed time, ditto Peyton O’Leary (as we disclosed yesterday), but that’s opened the door for the freshmen. All are capable, but Karmello English — he’s making a lot of plays. He is showing something as a return man, too, and it wouldn’t surprise to see him back deep on kickoffs. It sounds like Jake Thaw is still in the lead to return punts (he’s been best at catching the ball).

Without going into detail, yes, they were getting creative with Michigan running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards on the field at the same time Saturday. They are adamant about getting their best athletes on the field, and we are all well aware of Edwards’ versatility as a runner and a pass catcher. But Corum can catch the ball, too. It will be interesting to see what they come up with, but offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell, who will call plays Saturday, have really worked to make the passing game more creative.

One long-time observer last week said, “this is a championship team.” They feel it, too, obviously. The competition has been great, the focus outstanding, and the chemistry off the charts. And … there’s star power. They are going to find ways to get Michigan sophomore tight end Colston Loveland the ball, creating favorable matchups. He’s that good, up there with the best Michigan has ever had at the position in his second year.

The offensive line — four starters seem set, and they have all played at an extremely high level. The others will still get their starts in the non-conference, but it’s going to be hard to unseat Karsen Barnhart at one of the tackle spots (left, initially). LaDarius Henderson and Myles Hinton were working with the ones Saturday, but again, that’s how it’s been. They believe they have four starters there, and who plays best in games will continue to play. Hinton has the most upside when he brings it, and he’s brought it in the last few weeks of camp. He was moving people Saturday.

Michigan junior Tommy Doman is your punter, and he’s been kicking well. He was also handling many of the kickoffs, so it wouldn’t surprise to see him there, too. Louisville transfer James Turner is money from 40 yards in — beyond that, we’ll see what happens. As we’ve noted in other updates, this is going to be different from past years on fourth downs between the 30 and 35. Jake Moody was just so good.

Stay tuned for more Michigan football updates throughout the week …

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