In the Trenches: Harbaugh Talks QBs, Offense Position Battles, NFL Draft
4/29/2021 9:00:00 AM | Football, Features
In this week's episode of the "In the Trenches" podcast, head coach Jim Harbaugh breaks down the latest on Michigan football with Jon Jansen. Coach Harbaugh discusses his observations from spring ball, updates fans on every position group, and shares his thoughts on this weekend's NFL Draft.
By Brian Boesch
Michigan football has reached an important checkpoint during the offseason -- the end of spring football. The Wolverines, like most teams in college football, did not get the opportunity to participate in a full spring session. That memory stuck with head coach Jim Harbaugh during this year's 15 spring practices.
"Probably the most noticeable thing was what we missed in not having a spring last year, not having that time together," Harbaugh told Jon Jansen on this week's edition of the "In the Trenches" podcast. "The energy has been really good coaching-wise, player-wise. It's been noticeable to me and everybody."
Harbaugh offered fans a deep dive into each of the team's position groups and the entirety of the program on this week's podcast. Here are some of the most noteworthy items.
Quarterback Situation
Michigan's quarterback room lacks experience, with only one college start to its resume. However, the owner of that start -- redshirt sophomore Cade McNamara -- continues to earn praise. A few weeks ago, quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss said that McNamara has the potential to "end up playing 10 years in the NFL." Harbaugh is also bullish on the current frontrunner at quarterback.
"Cade just continues to play well," Harbaugh said. "He took what he did last fall in games and continued to build on it on a daily basis. Very confident, knows the system inside and out. It has been really fun working with him. Matt Weiss is doing a great job, and Cade's just a sponge for knowledge, always trying to improve and add to what he's doing."
Harbaugh also is high on the other two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster. True freshman J.J. McCarthy, a five-star recruit, performed well enough in spring to move "all the way up to No. 2" on the depth chart. Redshirt freshman Dan Villari was "really good, really effective," during spring practice as well.
Other Offensive Position Battles
Harbaugh provided some insight on the running back and offensive line battles. At the running back position, Harbaugh expects Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum to be busy this season.
"They are two tremendous players, and that's where the bulk of the carries are going to go," Harbaugh said. "We're going to lean heavily on those two players."
In addition to Haskins and Corum, true freshman Donovan Edwards has made his mark, and Harbaugh expects the five-star recruit to see the field in 2021.
"Donovan Edwards has come in as a mid-year and shown he'll play -- he'll play a lot. I love Donovan. He can do just about anything."
As for the men who will be blocking for Haskins, Corum, Edwards and others, Harbaugh said three Wolverines have established themselves as starters on the offensive line, if the season started today. The competition will continue up until September for all five spots, but Harbaugh likes what he saw this spring.
"Ryan Hayes, Zak Zinter, Andrew Stueber -- they are guys who had that experience that are very good players. They put an exclamation point on that in the spring. I would call them three solid starters of the top five. And then, there's a group of other guys there that have gotten experience, have started, have played in games, that are battling for those next two spots."
Hutchinson Leading by Example
Aidan Hutchinson could have heard his name called in this week's NFL Draft, but elected to return to Michigan to lead a young and talented defense into a new era under first-year defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Hutchinson was unable to fully participate in spring practice, but he has been aggressive in the weight room as he works back from last season's leg injury.
"He has come back training at the highest level, all in -- wants to be great, wants to be great for Michigan," Harbaugh said. "He gathered the strength coaches up last week and he said, 'I have one request, and that request is that every time I come in this weight room, in this gym, that you wear me out, make me get my money's worth.'"
NFL Draft
Speaking of the NFL Draft, Harbaugh explained some of the emotions that go into this weekend, both for the eligible players and their coaches.
"They look good. They look ready to go," he said. "The good thing about the draft is -- they know where they're going. They're on their way to take their shot, live their dream. It's all very exciting. There's some nerves that you have as a player, leading up to that draft. As a coach, you want the best for your guys. The good thing is, after the weekend is over, people have clarity. They know where they're going, and now they're going and they're doing it."
One year after boasting 10 NFL Draft selections, Michigan is expected to be well-represented again this weekend, with defensive lineman Kwity Paye and offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield as potential first-round selections.
