Kornacki: Harbaugh, Seniors Discuss Bright Future of Michigan Football
11/26/2017 4:18:00 PM | Football, Features
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior fullback Khalid Hill had an observation to offer about the future of the University of Michigan football team.
"This team, two or three years down the road, is going to be one of the best teams in the country," he said. "Some guys are in their first year of experience, some in their second. When these guys have three or four years of experience, they are going to have a dangerous team.
"I'm looking forward to see what these guys do next year and a couple years down the road."
The Wolverines had just lost to Ohio State, 31-20, on Saturday (Nov. 25) when Hill made those comments to offer some perspective after an 8-4 regular season.
What he was pointing out was that, while he was among only five starters returning this season, Michigan has the potential to return 17 starters next year. Defensive end Chase Winovich, who said he will consider the NFL Draft, will be the only Wolverine on the fence from that large group.
"They are going to be a great team," said senior co-captain and linebacker Mike McCray. "They have a lot of fight. … We fought to the end, and I can see a bright future for this team."
True sophomore defensive end Rashan Gary, who had career highs with 10 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks against the Buckeyes, will be focal.
So will true freshman wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, who has become a difference-maker in the biggest games. He had four catches for 64 yards at Wisconsin and then a dramatic 42-yard punt return to set up a touchdown against OSU.
"It was a great effort by all on the punt return team," said Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh, "and a heck of a play by Donovan. He's been really good, spectacular at times, as a true freshman. That speaks volumes to what kind of player he is, to be able to go out there and make plays his very first year.
"He's a consummate guy. We're really glad he's on our team. He just does everything right. He's a do-stuff-right guy in all phases -- one of our most favorite players."
Harbaugh looks forward to molding this bunch and getting them to play at the level required to win championships.
"I thought our guys played with great effort," he said. "But now we've got to get better, we've got to get stronger, we've got to improve.
"We'll continue that on Monday."
What did he learn about his team this year?
"That they're fighters," said Harbaugh. "They work. They don't complain. They don't whine. And I love coaching them, and that's going to continue. We're going to keep going on the same demanding, punishing path, and keep improving and keep getting stronger.
"They played extremely hard -- a great bunch of guys to coach. Great character guys, great football character, great character. So, it's disappointing."
Harbaugh wanted to send his seniors out with a win over the Buckeyes at home, but it didn't happen.
"We need to get better, he said. "Harbaugh. It's our mission."
Michigan will learn of its bowl destination and opponent next weekend. The preparation and game will benefit the future, while giving the seniors a chance to go out on a winning note.
Winovich said McCray summoned the defense to that task before the final gun had sounded against the Buckeyes.
"Mike McCray brought everyone up when there was about a minute left in the game," said Winovich. "He said, 'Let's win the bowl game.' And so our mentality was shifting from dwelling on this loss. We've got to find a way to win the bowl game."
"It's going to be a great future for those guys,"Â McCray said. "Especially if we win the bowl game."
The Wolverinies' 41-7 win over Florida in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl provided momentum for the 2016 season, when the Wolverines rose to No. 2 nationally before losing a double-overtime thriller to OSU and finishing No. 10.
If defensive end Chase Winovich (15) decides the NFL is not in his immediate future, the Wolverines will have 17 starters from this season returning for the 2018 season.
"I know how close we are," said Winovich. "You could taste it. We're right there. Like, the whole game, we're battling. We're a few pieces or inches away in my mind. We're inches, it's like you can reach out and almost just grab it. But, it's just tough."
The Wolverines had victory within their grasp in three of their four losses, and only got thumped in the loss at Penn State. They were close, but that does you no good in the conference standings or national rankings.
The powerful showing in 2016 made it tempting to see 2017 as a continuation. But the reality was this was a rebuilding year. And that is what happens when you have 17 new position starters in addition to a new placekicker and punter.
Quinn Nordin, despite struggles down the stretch, made 15 field goals and can hit them from beyond 50 yards. Brad Robbins came on as the punter and has been quite good.
The defense, thanks to a front four that had played significant downs the season before, helped get their side of the ball off to a fast start and successful season.
Senior tackle Maurice Hurst, Gary and Winovich were a joy to watch and a pain for opposing ball carriers. True freshman Aubrey Solomon developed so well and quickly that he got some starts and shared playing time with Bryan Mone.
Butkus Award finalist Devin Bush and Khaleke Hudson, who ably replaced Jabrill Peppers at viper, joined McCray to form a superb linebacker corps.
Sophomore cornerbacks David Long and Lavert Hill became the best cover tandem in the Big Ten, reaching a high level of play even quicker than could have been anticipated. Safeties Tyree Kinnel and Josh Metellus played pretty well overall, and watch out for what J'Marick Woods will do next season.
Coordinator Don Brown accomplished much with his unit in a short period of time, and will need to replace only two or three of them. They should be a championship-caliber unit in 2018.
The offense's progress will determine just how far next year's team goes.
Brandon Peters, who missed The Game with a concussion, was settling in quite nicely as the starting quarterback. Dylan McCaffrey, who has been developing daily as a freshman while redshirting, could be good enough to provide strong competition.
Karan Higdon came on to rush for 929 yards and provide grit and inspiration, while Chris Evans rushed for 661 yards and also made plenty of big plays. Freshman fullback Ben Mason has shown in limited playing time just how dynamic he should become.
As good as Peoples-Jones has become, remember that fellow freshman Tarik Black was the top receiver before getting injured in the third game. They should be a great tandem, and Eddie McDoom and Kekoa Crawford are making big catches, too. And don't forget about Nico Collins.
Tight ends Zach Gentry, Sean McKeon and Tyrone Wheatley already are doing special things, and Nick Eubanks will join them when healthy next season.
Cesar Ruiz should be the center next season with Ben Bredeson and Michael Onwenu flanking him at the guard spots. They were good this season with a chance to be great.
What happens at the tackle positions will be critical. Starting right tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty has another year of eligibility remaining, and sophomores Jon Runyan and Stephen Spanellis have made progress. Nolan Ulizio will work for another chance. But some impact play is going to have to surface at these two spots, where left tackle Mason Cole is going to be missed.
Might Chuck Filiaga, Andrew Stueber, Ja'Raymond Hall or another true freshman who didn't see game action be the answers? And is there any way Grant Newsome, who was a fantastic left tackle before suffering a catastrophic right knee and leg injury in 2016, returns with force?
There are plenty of questions to be answered. But Hill, McCray and Winovich, three seniors, believe that the future is one that will be savored.
