Notes and observations: Michigan football practice at Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
TEMPE, Ariz. — The Wolverines haven’t been in the greater Phoenix area for even 24 hours, but there’s been a big media availability for the offensive side of the ball and now the maize and blue are back to the practice field.
Working out at the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s spring training and minor league facility in Tempe, the Wolverines took the field for the first time in the sunny Arizona weather as they prepare for the College Football Playoff semifinal against TCU on Saturday.
The media was able to take in the first 15 minutes of practice on Tuesday and WolverinesWire’s Isaiah Hole was on-hand at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Here were some of his takeaways.
Handful of players not dressed
Most of the team appeared to be quite healthy, but a few appeared limited.
It was expected that linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green would be available, finally, but he still was in a T-shirt and was working as a player-coach. Wide receivers Amorion Walker, AJ Henning and Andrel Anthony also were not in uniform during practice.
On the previously injured players
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Donovan Edwards was still wearing a cast on his right hand, albeit a smaller one, and was carrying the ball in his left hand.
Mike Morris appeared to be operating at full capacity, as was center Olu Oluwatimi, who was apparently in a walking boot between the Big Ten Championship game and the traveling to Phoenix.
Running back rotation
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Obviously, Edwards figures to be the bell cow for the Wolverines with Blake Corum unable to go, but who will be the next in line when he comes out of the game?
In the Big Ten Championship game, converted linebacker Kalel Mullings was that person, and he did an excellent job with two touchdowns against Purdue. In practice, he was still working with the running backs, but he was third in line again. Freshman C.J. Stokes came second in drills. As Jim Harbaugh was observing the QB handoffs to the running backs, Stokes got a note from Harbaugh, saying, “A little too early, C.J.” as he either got to the ball too early or made his cut early — it was unclear to which Harbaugh was referring from our observation distance.
The early enrollees are actively practicing with the team
Photo: Isaiah Hole
One surprise was multiple early enrollees in uniform and actively practicing.
While there were only a few we saw, we’ve confirmed with a team spokesperson that nearly all of the early enrollees have made it to Phoenix and are participating.
The ones we saw working with their position groups were wide receiver Semaj Morgan and cornerbacks Cameron Calhoun and Jyaire Hill, but a team spokesperson confirmed that Benjamin Hall, Zack Marshall, Fredrick Moore and Cole Cabana are in Arizona and working out with the team.
Secondary notes
Nothing to do with the secondary, but edge Eyabi Okie poses for a picture at practice in Tempe. Photo: Isaiah Hole
Witnessed a few formations from afar, including one in which Will Johnson was on one side and it nominal safety Quinten Johnson was working the other boundary with DJ Turner playing nickel.
Steve Clinkscale was being incredibly fiery, yelling at the group for not being crisp enough against the scout team. The next snap, DJ Turner made an interception, which prompted Clinkscale to yell, ‘That’s what it’s supposed to look like (expletive deleted) it!’ On another play, we saw Makari Paige getting close to picking off the ball, but it was high and went through his finger tips.
We saw another interesting formation (though can’t recall the personnel), but they were clearly working against possible screens with a lot of misdirection in the secondary moving from zone to zone.
