Michigan football intel — ‘other’ corner, summer gains, more

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is extremely pleased with where his program is heading into year 9, coming off back-to-back Big Ten titles and a favorite to win the conference for a third straight year. We’re where many envisioned Harbaugh would have his program when he signed on before the 2015 season … and while it took a little longer than expected, recent results have Harbaugh thrilled about the state of the program.

He thought the “cultural momentum” couldn’t be any better after the 2021 title. Then came 2022 that “seemed even better.”

“Now, I’m kind of saying it to myself — ‘It’s got to be as good as it can get,’” he said. “Seeing our players, our staff, our coaches … it seems like there’s even more cultural momentum. It’s been fun to be around.”

This Michigan team looked closer to game ready out of spring than any team we’d seen in years — maybe decades. And by all accounts, the work ethic among the team in the offseason has been off the charts.

Michigan strength coach Ben Herbert has had something to do with that, of course. But the players are holding themselves accountable, and that’s the sign of a team that’s not resting on its accomplishments.

Bodies are continuing to change. It’s been extremely noticeable on the lines, we’ve heard (and, sometimes around town, seen), where it’s going to be unbelievably competitive for playing time. In another month when camp gets going, it should be even more evident, Harbaugh said.

“Your team is totally different than it was three months before,” he said. “When they all show up, many of those that weren’t in spring practice, some of the linemen that transferred and others … all of a sudden, you’re looking at this bigger, better team than you had three months ago.”

Which is a scary thought.

We’re most interested to see how the offensive line shakes out with so many outstanding players and only five starting spots available. All are hungry to play, and they’ve got so many candidates.

That will play out in camp, at least to start. But expect the competition to continue in the non-conference portion of the season, we’re told. Everyone is going to get an opportunity, and other than Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter — locks at the guard positions — it’s pretty much wide open.

They’re preparing that way, giving them a shot (as running back Blake Corum told us this spring) to be every bit as good, if not better, than the two Joe Moore Award winning lines.

Other rumblings:

Josh Wallace will definitely be in the mix to start

The Michigan coaches believe the UMass transfer has all the skills to play in the Big Ten, and they expect him to prove it this fall. He’s confident, has great ball skills, and he’s an outstanding leader.

It wouldn’t surprise anyone if he emerged as the “other corner” opposite Will Johnson (who is progressing nicely recovering from knee surgery).

“You plant seeds, and in the summer see which ones develop,” Harbaugh said … [competition] is always a good thing. A lot can happen over the summer.

“There’s a lot that can happen from spring practice to the start of training camp. Where it left at spring ball, I was pretty darn pleased.”

And now he’s even more pleased. Wallace will help in the secondary.

The portal will continue to be a source of plug and play for Michigan

Michigan has been one of the nation’s leaders in mining the transfer portal for talent, and that won’t change. In fact, from what we’ve gathered recently, it will be a huge part of the Wolverines’ recruiting strategy going forward … but not to the point that it will be an overhaul every year.

Unlike many in the fan base, the coaches aren’t lamenting the ones that got away (it’s a long list already this year of second-place finishes). Harbaugh strongly believes in his transformational, not transactional policy while understanding the need for stronger NIL, as well.

Their thoughts — they can get five-star (and in some cases, five-star plus) guys in the portal when necessary, and they think they will. It will be interesting to see how this develops over the next several years.

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