There are a lot of Michigan football die-hards who don't necessarily know all of the names on the team to the point where they know the players who are up and coming and who will contribute beyond who they saw on the field the year before. And several big names from previous recruiting classes are starting to put their stamp on fall camp.
On Thursday, Wolverines defensive coordinator Jay Hill shared which players have made the biggest improvements in camp, and though he started with the players who were out with injury in the spring (Rod Moore, John Henry Daley, Smith Snowden), there are others who are starting to showcase their talents with just two-plus weeks before the season opener.
“Shamari Earls has really made a great step forward," Hill
said. "He's playing at a very high level right now. Nate Marshall has done some really nice things the last couple of days. So anyway, it seems like each day someone steps up to have a really, really great day. Yesterday, Enow (Etta) played outstanding. Mason Curtis played outstanding yesterday. So it seems like every day somebody else really shines. And that's the sign of a good defense is when you have different guys shining at different times.”
Earls and Etta have frequently gotten high praise throughout fall camp from both coaches and their peers, but it's news that Marshall and Curtis are starting to see the lights turn on.
Starting with Marshall and the edge rushers, Hill shared more about how that position group is really starting to establish depth -- especially with some of the younger players getting the hang of it in fall camp.
“Nate Marshall's been dynamic the last couple of days," Hill said. "Dom Nichols really flashed early in camp, and then we haven't had him for the last couple of days, but he's back with us now. Lugard (Edokpayi)'s had flashes at the D-end spot. Tariq Boney and Carter Meadows have done unbelievable things for freshmen. So that group is deep right now, very talented and deep. And I'm excited to see how that one continues to play out. And that's one that can continue throughout the season, too. These guys continue to step up, make more and more plays, and they play more.”
Curtis could have been thought of as a starter before Chris Bracy appeared to have cemented a role as the starting safety opposite Rod Moore. Hill broke down how Curtis is thought of internally and how the position group is looking at the moment.
“Well, we're treating him just like a starter right now, because he's playing a lot," Hill said. "Him, Chris Bracy, Rod Moore -- those guys, those three guys right now on paper are gonna play a lot. That will keep him healthy, and that will keep us in a good spot. And then Jordan Young has done a lot of great things, too, in the safety spot. So those four guys continue to improve over the next little bit. I think you'll see all those guys on the field.”
Fall camp will continue for just over another week with eyes on game week the following. Western Michigan will open up the season at The Big House on September 5.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Jay Hill names Michigan football defense's biggest fall camp risers
