It is a sprint to the finish line for the Michigan Wolverines as they get prepared for the college football regular season. There are still some starting positions that have not been filled, and guys are competing to show the coaching staff they should get the nod.
That includes a handful of young players that are eager to see the field. Starting with the defense, there have been a few names that emerged late last season and who have continued to grow this offseason. First is linebacker Cole Sullivan,
a sophomore from Pittsburgh who head coach Sherrone Moore said at Big Ten Media Days could “take the college football world by storm.”
“I think I said this at media day, Cole Sullivan — this is a guy that continues to climb, that continues to make an impact,” Moore said. “Really feel really good about that … (Sullivan), he was probably a guy that people weren’t talking about. He’s a younger guy, but he’s a guy that’s really stood out and he’s very multiple, doing different things.”
The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder played in 12 games and logged the sixth-most special teams snaps on the team last season. Going into his second season, Sullivan hopes to take the next step and make more of an impact on defense.
Meanwhile at running back, redshirt freshman Micah Ka’apana and former walk-on and redshirt sophomore Bryson Kuzdzal continue to make the coaches’ jobs very difficult in camp. During the spring game, Ka’apana racked up 34 rushing yards and one touchdown, while Kuzdzal went off for a game-high 105 yards, highlighted by a 30-yard sprint that showed his ability to get to the second level of the defense.
While there is no expectation these guys surpass Jordan Marshall or Justice Haynes on the depth chart, they are continuing to show the coaches they deserve carries this season.
“Running back room has been great,” offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey said on Monday. “Micah Ka’apana, Bryson Kuzdzal is picking up where he went from the spring … It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a fun team to watch.”
Protecting the young running backs on the left side is another guy standing out to Moore and his staff. True freshman Andrew Babalola has been making waves this offseason, competing for the starting left tackle job with redshirt sophomore Evan Link. While Link has improved since his stint at right tackle last season, Babalola continues to stand out and has given Moore a lot to think about.
“Andrew Babalola — he’s gonna push for the starting left tackle spot, and that’s a day-to-day competition with Evan,” Moore said. “And Evan’s played tremendously better, and his confidence is where you need it to be, but those two are pushing.”
Andrew Marsh and Jamar Browder were also mentioned by Moore, saying that the two true freshmen wide receivers “are going to play for us this year.” True freshman edge rusher Nate Marshall has “freakish pass rush ability,” according to Moore, and true freshman cornerback Jayden Sanders “really flashes and does a lot of great things” as well.
None of these guys may start for the Wolverines, but if the guys in front of them on the depth chart aren’t playing as well (or get injured), Moore has confidence that his young guys can step up and make an impact.