5 Michigan football players whose stock is rising after the spring game
The dust has settled now that the Michigan football annual spring game is a week behind us. There’s nothing on-field until the team officially readies itself for the 2023 season in fall camp in August.
But there are some players who could find themselves seeing more action on the field sooner than later.
There were a handful of players who made some strong impressions in the spring game who will either play big roles and be big factors or at least could find themselves contributing in ways they hadn’t before.
Here are five Wolverines we feel have a shot to make an impact in 2023 based off what we saw in the spring game.
S Zeke Berry
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Berry was one of the many players who managed to snag a pick in the spring game (interceptions were being handed out like candy, it seemed). More than that, Berry showed why he was such a highly regarded recruit before committing to Michigan the day before early signing day in 2021. He finished the game with four tackles (three solo) and could challenge to be in the rotation alongside the three-headed monster of Rod Moore, Makari Paige and RJ Moten.
Berry wasn’t a factor last year, but now that it’s Year 2, it appears the lights are turning on.
WR Fredrick Moore
Photo: Isaiah Hole
It seems that of the freshman receivers, Semaj Morgan gets the most hype given his speed and instincts. But Fredrick Moore also showed why Michigan thought he would be a good fit.
The Wolverines are unproven at receiver behind Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson. Moore had four catches on five targets for 62 yards, including a 41-yarder. The maize and blue aren’t afraid to put freshmen out there at the skill positions, and it appears Moore is en route to doing what perhaps some of his earlier compatriots hadn’t — securing a more established role in his first year.
CB Myles Pollard
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Pollard was in the right place at the right time, sure, as an underthrown ball intended for Darrius Clemons went right to him. But the cornerback position is ripe for the taking with Will Johnson (and Mike Sainristil at nickel) being the only surefire, cemented positions. Amorion Walker was the talk of the spring, but he still looked a bit raw in the game, to be expected. Pollard waited in the wings last year, and certainly could find himself in the rotation in year two.
Outside of his interception (which he returned for 29 yards), he had just one tackle, but certainly looked the part in the game.
RB Benjamin Hall
Photo: Isaiah Hole
This one might be the biggest ‘duh’ given what Hall did in the spring game. The former three-star put on a show and was behind only Peyton O’Leary in terms of having the most impressive performance in the game.
Mike Hart likened Hall to players such as Hassan Haskins and Kevin Grady, noting his powerful legs, and we saw similar play to Haskins in the game. Multiple times, Hall dragged a whole group of defenders downfield, the same way Haskins often did.
Despite being behind Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, there’s certainly a role for the true freshman, and Michigan will definitely take advantage of his skillset early, if not often.
CB Jyaire Hill
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Perhaps with a bit of an understated performance, Hill managed four tackles (three solo) in the spring game. He appears to be a bit undersized (he has, after all, only taken part in one strength conditioning cycle) but he certainly looked the part in the spring game.
As we said, corner is a need this year, and with a backup nickel situation or even finding himself in rotation similar to how Will Johnson did early last season, he could manage to get on the field in multiple ways this year.
