Author: Phil Callihan

Editor-in-Chief, UMGoBlue.COM -- AKA BLUE LEADER -- 1993 University of Michigan Graduate -- GO BLUE!
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Michigan Football Camp Report – WR/KR Ronnie Bell

8/12/22 Player Availability

Q:
How are feeling being back, do you feel like you’re back to full go like you were a year ago?

Bell:
I would say yes, I do, I feel blessed man. I’m beyond excited about every single day and I feel really good. My body feels great. Making plays, and it’s fun, man, it’s a lot of fun.

Q:
How difficult is it to kind of get back into the swing in the sense of, you know, you’ve been laid up for a while? How difficult is it to just trust that you’re healed or you’re testing certain parts out?

Ronnie Bell post injury 2021

Bell:
Oh, it definitely was like that the first couple of days was like that. It was very rusty. You know, I mean, like having people around you as you’re running around. I’ve been running routes for months, but I didn’t run routes with people around me. So kicking off the rust of being comfortable with people around you and then I don’t know what day but I finally jumped up and made a play on the ball, like one of the early days in camp and it was like, once that happened, it was like the biggest weight lifted off my shoulder that I think I’ve ever had. So since then I feel like I’ve been back and rolling.

Q:
Sherrone mentioned that you’d even set some personal records in some physical stats. Do you feel like you’re even stronger in some aspects than you were before the injury?

Bell:
Yes, I do. Um, and yeah, I even honestly shocked myself because I had a PR that I had set a couple of years ago that I couldn’t break. And I ended up beating that and I was super excited about that. Just rehabbing everyday focusing on yourself for nine straight months. Like I told myself whenever it all happened if I didn’t come out on the other end stronger, I was doing something wrong. So that was the goal for sure and I’m glad that that’s kind of how it went.

Q:
What was that PR?

Bell:
The L cone?

Q:
Does it feel like it maybe helps your game a bit this year to having spent the last year essentially being a player coach, you know, working kind of more on the coaching side helping players along understanding the game. Do you feel like that aids you this year?

Bell:
Yeah, for a couple of things like one definitely, you know, just the constant film, you know, that I’m getting in with, like being with the coaches and watching the film. And, you know, hearing their ideas and hearing what they’re looking at, what they’re seeing, and just different little details from that standpoint. I think that helped me a lot. And then also just like, on how to how to lead, you know, I mean, or communicate with guys because like, last year, I felt like I was in a funny situation, because I wasn’t necessarily playing. I was trying to help guys out and like, tell them where and what to do and stuff. I always kind of felt kind of funny, because I couldn’t go out there and show you what to do. But so like me being able to handle that last year and being able to do that while not playing it’s helped me now because now I can you know, like, you got to run it like this and then I’ll go out there and I can run it like that and be able to help guys out at times.

Ronnie Bell 2021

Q:
Are there any DBs that you when you’re going up against them one on one you feel like it’s gonna be a bit of a challenge?

Bell:
Yeah, all the DBs man, they all of them so far I’ve been really really well with their technique. DJ Turner, Gemon both of them have been like I think have been playing really, really well these first few days of camp like in one-on-ones or in a one-on-one situation. Like they just you can tell how comfortable they are and like they do a good job.

Q:
Do you want to return again?

Bell:
I do.

Q: Have you been working?

Bell:
Yes, I have to go earn the spot.

Q:
Why do you I mean, you know a lot of people say well, that’s where you got injured. I mean, why would you want to get back in?

Bell:
I’ve always been a punt returner, I feel like I’m comfortable being a punt returner so that’s something I want to do.

Q:
Did you volunteer to do that?

Bell:
Yeah, I mean, I just went back there again.

Q:
How did your chemistry feel with Cade when you guys were able to get back out there again this fall- did it take a couple days to get back into it because you had a couple of years of banked reps?

Bell:
I mean it was with all the quarterbacks really just to know like I said I was rusty the first day or two of camp and it’s been a lot better since though. So yeah, just took reps, just needed live reps. We have some bullets flying so once we got a couple of those that are about I think all of us are feeling really good.

Q:
Which wide receiver is going to surprise people this year?

Bell:
I wouldn’t be surprised if the receiver that surprises people this year is Peyton O’Leary.

Q:
Why is that?

Bell:
Because he has had one hell of a camp.

Q:
You were voted a captain last season and then you talked about being a leader learning to be a leader differently, not being on the field. How much did that help you in terms of this year becoming a leader? Continuing as a leader?

Darrius Clemons

Bell:
So yeah, that’s kind of what I was saying, like for me to figure out last year kind of how to communicate with guys and get through to guys without being able to necessarily show them physically, like, what I’m trying to, you know, trying to get accomplished. Like, I feel like that was, I feel like that was kind of what made last year that kind of awkward for me as I was leaving. And so like this year now, like, it’s just a lot more, I guess it just flows a lot smoother, you know, I mean, because it’s like, like, yeah, Ronnie saying that. Okay, but then Ronnie is also doing it. So like, you know, I mean, like, I feel like guys are able to, you know, stay with it.

Q:
With the room that that has maybe 7, 8, 9 guys that would be capable of contributing this year, what do you think is the key to keeping everybody happy as games go and snap counts vary week to week?

Bell:
I mean, it just comes down to making plays and just what you put on film. We’ve got the whole room capable of that so that’s really what it comes down to. I feel like it’s a great position to be in you know when you got that many guys that you feel that comfortable with, so no complaining now.

Q:
How much do you think the offense changed after you got hurt in that first game? And what do you what was it like watching the offense kind of evolve last season?

Ronnie Bell 2021

Bell:
It just change…my favorite part about last year was watching the receivers grow every week. Like, you know, the game right after was Washington. And I mean, I don’t think we threw the ball in the second half and then the next week, and then by the time we got to Wisconsin, you know, you see CJ play the way he did and Roman the way he did, like, watching the receiving room just evolve throughout….I mean everybody stepped up and started making plays. So that was my favorite part about last year. So like the offense maybe hit like a speed bump, you know, I mean, but they just got rolling, and just started dominating. My favorite part about it definitely was the way the receiver room stepped up.


Excited is an understatement…I’ve been thinking about playing the game for a year now…I’m like beyond excited, man, I’m ready to go.

Ronnie Bell

Q:
And what was it like walking back in I guess, you know, with the kind of team leadership dynamics changing with your absence, some guys emerged, obviously, over the course of the year, I mean, what was that like to kind of walk back into the situation where you are, again, integrated into the mix again?

Bell:
Man….excited is an understatement, I was so ready to go…we had mentioned how like, games are probably like, three weeks out, or whatever it is and I’m like, man, I’ve been thinking about playing the game for a year now. Like, I’m like beyond excited, man, I’m ready to go.

Q:
What do you think distinguishes Cornelius’ game?

Bell:
Definitely, just how explosive he is. And you know, he used his body really well, when he’s getting open, and kind of awkward situations, but a DB. And those are like, two of the things I feel like separate him. I mean, he’s very explosive, though.

Q:
How have the young receivers done so far?

Bell:
They’ve done great. There’s Clemens, Amorion Walker, and Tyler Morris, all three of them. They got here in the spring, or January, I mean, so they were here for spring ball. You know, spring ball was a little rough. You know, you’re trying to learn the playbook and also you think about all your high school friends you know, everything switches around real quick. And so far throughout this camp, though, all of them have made plays and like it’s been pretty cool to see how much more comfortable they are especially Amorion he’s like, night and day from like, a standpoint of just like getting lined up, you know, like something like a small is that…they all have taken big, big steps, but him especially he’s come a long way.

Q:
Are you surprised with how quickly Mike Saintristil made the transition to defense?

Bell:
No, I’m not and I think I talked about this when he first switched over because for last few years he’s always like, just randomly back in spring ball randomly or fall camp but he was playing defensive one day. Mike has always flirted with playing on the defensive side of the ball and he’s always been good at it. So, but he’s also really good at receiver, like, you know, pick and choose and so no, I didn’t shock me in the slightest to see how comfortable he was playing on that side of the ball.

Q:
How comfortable are you now? I mean, not to help. I got probably a whole time working with Ron Bellamy as a designated position coach?

Bell:
Yeah, he’s done a good job…it’s really cool having like our guy that, you know, played receiver, especially here. So it’s like pretty cool, and he’s done a good job with the whole receiving group and bringing us all in and you know, coaching us up.

Edits made for clarity.

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Michigan Football Camp Report – Co-Defensive Coordinator Steve Clinkscale (Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs)

Q:
Coach Harbaugh has mentioned a couple of times that the defense is ahead of where it was at this point last year. Do you agree with that? In what ways do you think it might be?

Clinkscale:
I agree with it. In the perspective that, you know, a lot of these guys have been in the system already, you know, it wasn’t something that was kind of new to him starting off the summer, last year, even though it had a little bit of a spring previous to last fall’s camp, and we still put in a lot of stuff in the summertime. So most of the menu that we have, a lot of our players have already experienced it, it’s a lot easier for the coaches as well, to communicate it, and understand all the nuances and all the know what’s what’s going to happen and try to predict or anticipate the issues, if you can coach like that, and your players can think like that, and then it helps them stay further ahead with communication with effort with, you know, knowing their responsibility. So, I would agree with that, you know, especially, you know, just for our understanding of the game a lot better.

Q:
You already had three of your freshmen on campus from the secondary. For the spring, you added Zeke and Damani. What have you seen from all of them now that you’re in a fall camp? Where are they in development?

Clinkscale:
I think the young men that were here in the spring have an advantage to understanding system. The two other gentlemen who just got here this summer they, you know, they’re in academics, in class, so, adding that to their plate, with playing football and still in school right now, it’s a little challenging for them. They’re performing you know, Zeke especially he’s performing to a level that you can see his instincts, you can see why we recruited him and why he’s gonna be able to do but for Will, Myles, and Kody, you definitely see that they’re a little bit further ahead than the freshmen were last year that we were able to get except for Rod Moore, he was he was different last year, but those guys are all developing where we need them to, we’re going to ask all of them to help us at some point. The capacity is going to be really up to them what they know and what they understand and how they can execute.

Q:
What about Keon?

Clinkscale:
He has done a great job. You know, he’s got probably the hardest job with a bunch of those four, because he has to know both safeties. He knows what he’s doing it’s now just taking that step forward on the field and applying it and in being able to let loose and make some plays. Yesterday, we thought he had a pretty good practice, and he’s keep getting better every week and every day. Out of all of them, he really has the biggest load playing corner. The biggest possibility is not getting beat on nickel you know, you got to understand the nuances but safety, he has to know what everybody’s doing, make all the checks and for him being a freshman, I think he’s doing a great job.

Q:
You have a lot of experience back in the secondary this year. What is that next step for them as a group?

Clinkscale:
The biggest thing is always the communication piece we’re always talking about since I started coaching, to me, that’s like, the number one thing. If you can’t get lined, you can’t make the checks, you can’t execute your assignment. The coach has something in his mind what he wants, and the players have to understand what we’re communicating to then to go out and do their job. The other thing I’ve seen a little bit more in the secondary, is just that personality, they’re kind of vibing off of me. I tell people all the time, by nature where I’m from you have to have aggressiveness you got to have a mentality that you know, you’re going to take it to him and not get hit in the mouth. They’re doing that they’re playing, they’re covering a lot better. And they’re being a lot more aggressive. They understand what they’re doing. You hear me say that word all the time understanding, understanding. To me, that’s a big piece of coaching and teaching. But I see those guys, definitely a lot better as a unit now than they were last year.

Q:
Did it take some time to get the vibe?

Clinkscale:
Yeah, I think the previous defense was a really good scheme and everything, but we added so much more and we’ve done things a little different, giving them a little bit more responsibility. I think once they were able to get a year under their belt, you know, they understood the expectations and to have the season we had last year, they know in order to win all our games to do the things we want to do our groups got to play better. We’ve got to create more takeaways, we got to eliminate big plays and eliminate confusion

Q:
We hear so much about Mikey at Nickel what is he doing and then who are some of the guys pushing him?

Clinkscale:
Mikey is still playing both sides. He’s doing a great job of understanding and embodying what we want on defense and to be honest with you, man, he’s so natural. Sometimes I when watch film, I’m like, wow, he’s only been over here with us for a few months, just to see his personality and see him just take heed to the leadership, we asked him to be a leader on the team in a lot of different ways- offense, defense, special teams with the young guys just to see him grow. It’s been awesome. He’s really been a good leader in that room with the nickels. DJ Turner has given us some nickel reps, Will Johnson, Kody, and of course, Rod Moore, you know, then well, everybody knows it. You know, it’s to be honest with you, you know, both the Green brothers, all the safeties, they all know nickel, we’ve done a good job of just teaching everybody the position. Now who’s ever going to play it will be game-to-game and definitely their ability in camp and what they’re doing. Mike has done a great job and we’ve seen so many guys do some good things in there we’ll keep breeding that position.

The way I look it corners need to know how to play nickel, safeties to know how to play dime, if safeties can play dime then when we go against teams that have really good tight ends, then we don’t have to create defenses to match up. And if the corners can play nickel that gives us gives us more guys out there that can be versatile, it also expands the knowledge of the unit.

Q:
When you’re talking about them that they’re vibing off of you, you’re obviously not mixing it up with them is it something you’re saying to them, the way you carry yourself? How do you think they’re picking up on it?

Clinkscale:
I think personalities are contagious. I think if you if you’re just kind of a boring person, the people around you’re gonna be bored. I’m not a boring person whatsoever and, you know, I have a standard of respect in our room but we also have a standard of understanding, you can talk to us about anything. We will stop meetings and we’ll talk about how you should sit in class, sit in the front, sit up, act interested, lean forward, nod your head, track the professor, to that professor, maybe teaching Swahili for example that’s the most important thing in their life. You know, same thing as a coach, like give them that respect that they feel like you’re not interested, they don’t want to be there. We teach them life lessons. You know, here at Michigan, we also just teach them the opportunity that you can relate to me you can talk to me, I can be that father figure, brother, uncle, but when you’re on the field, that’s our world. We’re all together and embody the aggressiveness that I bring to the table or, you know, just being able to relate and have that communication and relationship, I think is huge. Whenever you feel like you can relate to somebody you work with, for, or their leading you, I think you always give more.

Q:
How’s the battle for starting safeties playing out especially considering Moten having been out and Makari having had that whole spring?

Clinkscale:
Makari has definitely continued to grow so far. That was always our question- how will he continue to grow in the fall? So so far, he has not taken a step back. Same thing with RJ Moten. He’s also done a great job of continuing to take steps forward. Rod as well- you can see the first couple of days Rod getting the dust off, a little bit, and now he’s starting to get back in the groove of things. His knowledge of the game, he’s a coach out there, all three of them to be honest with you but his instincts on the field I think will continue to push all of them together and to have him at nickel helps us to get our best players on the field.

You saw in the spring game, Makari went out and played corner because we were down some guys can we split the team. We’re gonna teach everybody in that room to know every position now what skill level give them the ability to play it all game? Maybe, maybe not but can I put Makari at a corner? Yes, and then put Rod at safety? Correct. So we want to continue to make them versatile.

The fight there is going to continue all season long like it’s going to be who’s up, who had a better game we’ll just keep rotating those guys. It’s a long season. We want to be national champs, we got a lot of games to play…we need to be need to be our best in November and December and January.

Q:
Seems like DJ’s established himself as kind of a number one cornerback, is it competitive at the other spots and who are some guys you’ve seen flashes at cornerback?

Clinkscale:
Oh, yes. Very, very competitive. Gemon Green I felt had a better spring than DJ and we challenged DJ for the spring. He got better at the end of spring and this summer. Just getting back with him you can see that the challenge between him in German and possibly having a young guy like Will and definitely Mikey. Mikey, he plays corner as well. Those guys have really really pushed each other. So no one feels like that they’re just the guy even though though he’s a freak – and number 31 freak in the country? You know, I think they all are freaks, they all have great ability to push one another and the camaraderie is awesome. So I think Gemon has definitely shown that he’s where we always want him to be and he’s continuing to grow. DJ will continue to push but DJ to be in camp so far has really really really been impressive to me in certain situations. So I want to see him continue to grow as well.

Q:
Coach Minter was talking about just being in the moment is play caller. How does that translate to the players as well in the field- how mentally advanced is this team- how much of an advantage is that?

Clinkscale:
I think this has been the best program I’ve been around from teaching that to the entire team, you know that the entire team knows how I teach block destruction. They know how I teach man coverage, we know how the o-line teaches pulling, or how we’re going to defend the puller. So I think our knowledge of the game is what makes us hungry team to always want to learn more about the defense, well, why are we doing this? And where’s my help? And who am I helping? So I think if we continue to do as a defense as a team, we’ll continue to exceed expectations. So I think that starts with Coach Harbaugh. And it’s been, it’s been an excellent experience.

Q:
You talked about relating to players, but how do you think the dynamics of recruiting have changed in the last year with the introduction of NIL?

Clinkscale:
I think we’ll find out during a signing period, of course, I think the first year was you still have the relationships with everyone because of COVID still weren’t able to do all the trips as much. I think this summer, everybody is able to get out and those relationships actually are helping, you know, for us especially. We’re not making NIL the only thing, the only factor. So I think it’s way more than that. I think with anybody its about development, for your son when he comes to play for us. How’s he going to leave here? Okay, maybe he’ll leave with a couple more commas in his bank account. I’m not sure if. however, he’ll definitely leave here better man, educated man, better football player. And so I think those relationships have continued to help. I think relationships always help.


Q:
Is Ja’Den back to 100%

Clinkscale:
Not 100%, but he’s back with us. Ja’Den is like Junior Clink- he’s coaching out there. I love Ja’Den- he’s really grown up a lot for us. He’ll stand on one sideline while I’m on the other sideline, and he’ll help the young guys and make sure they line-up correctly, that they know their assignment and they’re communicating. He has worked out a little bit like with the training staff, not with us. And I think he’s right there where he needs to be. And we look forward to get him back when he’s able to be back with us.

Q: Do you think it’ll be this year, at some point?

Clinkscale:
I think medically speaking he has a chance. I’m not exactly sure. But when he is if he’s available and able to go out there and you know, do his job, he’ll definitely have a part in the secondary.

Q: What did he show you before he got hurt?

Clinkscale:
He showed me that he’s physical, he’s super quick and fast. Now he’s showing me that he understands the game more in the defense. So that’s going to gain more trust. With freshmen the biggest thing is not always their skill set. It’s about do they know what they’re doing out there? And there’s a lot of factors too. There’s a lot of moving parts. And I know that he knows what he’s doing. I felt that way a little bit last year. I’m very reassured now that he does. So he’s when 100% I think he’ll definitely contribute and be a big asset for us.

Q:
I think you heard Jesse say that when there’s more competence, the defense gets louder. I was just wondering, Mike Morris was talking about that the other day. What are you seeing from the guys up front? I mean, are they sort of leading the way, how loud is it?

Clinkscale:
Well, really, Mike is very loud. He’s definitely a leader. Mazi is not that vocal all the time but when when Mazi speaks, everybody listens. He pulls guys in and he has his way of things. But I think sometimes loud on a field demonstrates confidence and that we know what we’re doing. But Mazi is one of those guys, when you sit there, listen to him talk he knows what we’re doing in the backend sometimes, too. So it’s not always about being loud. He’s confident. So like Jesse said, just to piggyback off of that, I think the more they’re confident upfront with what we’re saying in the back end, and we’re more confident with them up front, you know, blending together and doing the things right and communicating. That’s where you see the communication. When are ones are out there, the communication is obnoxious, it’s unbelievable. The twos are getting there, you know, that ones have set the bar, and we’ll continue to bring everybody closer we get everybody there you only as good as your backup. So the closer we get all ones, twos and threes on the same level communication wise and confidence, then we’ll continue to be a dominant defense.

Q: Obnoxious is good?

Clinkscale:
Obnoxious is good on the football field. It’s gotta be crazy. You know, it’s like a fire drill. You know, like when that siren goes off and, and it’s great communication everybody knows where they’re supposed to go what they’re supposed to do so that we’re safe.

Edits made for clarity.

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Michigan Football Camp Report – Co-Offensive Coordinator Sherrone Moore

Moore:
How’s everybody doing? Open up to questions.

Q:
So what’s been the transition for you, especially now starting for your first fall camp as offensive coordinator?

Moore:
Everything’s been good, man. It’s been fun, enjoying the process. You know, the staffs been great, coach has been great. When you go through the summer, when you’re working through things you’re doing recruiting, and then you get into July, we get a little time off. Spend time with the family doing those things. Now get back with the players, it’s just been refreshing to get back with them. It’s been great. So been loving it. Busy, but good.

Q:
Are you doing the same stuff you were doing last year with Coach Gattis? Or are there some different things on your plate now?

Moore:
Yeah, different things, you know, part, you know part of the play call now. So it’s a little bit different. And but it’s been good man, it’s been an easy transition. I tried as much as I could to be a part of that last year. And, you know, be involved in that. And it’s super collaborative, how we do things. It’s fun. It’s great. And, you know, we everybody bounces ideas off of each other. But it’s been good. No, it’s just, it’s a little different, a little bit more. But it’s been great for me,

Q:
In terms of the mechanics of calling the plays on game days how do you anticipate that’s going to work?

Moore:
Yeah, we’ll be collaborative. We have a method to how we’re doing things, we’ve been pretty smooth so far. And it’s just been rolling, the kids have really adjusted and everything’s been good.

Q:
What are the expectations of this offense this year, given all the pieces you guys have back?

Moore:
You know, we have our goals, right? The same goals that coach set out, we got the teams that we want to beat and we know we want to be at the end of the day. Well, for us right now, we just want to focus on those days focus on each day and not try to look too far ahead. Because when you start to do that, you start to forget the little details that you got to do, and put in place that and so we’ve been trying to just harp on every little thing that we can now we know we can be as good as anybody, but we need to we got to work to get there.

It’s not going to be handed to us. We got to go take it. So we’ve been working every day to just get better.

Q:
Sherrone, Cade was asked at the Big 10 media days what the identity of the offense is. When do you guys anticipate figuring that out?

Cade McNamara

Moore:
I think just goes through fall camp, you just figure it out. As you go, you start to figure out you put the installs in, you know, we’re only day four of practice. So you don’t really know yet. We’ve only have pads on for two days. But you can kind of see things and how they develop. You don’t you don’t the identity of what it’s gonna look like when the ball is snapped on game one. So we’re trying to figure that out. And we’ll we will take our time getting there.

Q:
When did you guys think you had it figured out last year?

Moore:
I don’t even know how I couldn’t even tell you. I think it was just a rhythm. I think the kids just figured it out at some point maybe would have been a little later in camp towards then, or after we got out after those first three games. I think the guys figured out kind of who we were gonna be. And we just took it from there.

Q:
What are the biggest strengths of Olu’s game and how you know how he kind of fit in now these are a little, little while.

Moore:
Yeah. First, his experience. He’s played started 36 games in college football. And that’s invaluable experience. He’s strong. He’s smart. When he came here, it was like he’s been here for four years already. He’s an outstanding young man on and off the field. great human being, but he’s an outstanding player. So he just has a great all around game and what he can do, obviously the accolades that he had last year, speak to that. He just takes it day by day and tries to tries to get better. That’s it. So he’s really stepping up as a player trying to be a leader for the experience that he’s had in his college football career, as well.

Q:
There’s kind of a plug and play with a guy with that much experience. How does that work?

Moore:
Yeah, you know, you implement the offense, you see what you got, and then you keep going from there. So you know, day four, what we’re doing. It’s not just him, but it’s everybody. It’s the whole line. It’s the receivers, it’s the running backs. So we know who those players are and we’ll continue to shape and mold everything to their strengths as we go.

Q:
In Indianapolis, Jim talked about wanting to run the ball similar to what you guys did last year. But he also said he can envision a scenario where the passing game takes steps forward or is involved more frequently. I guess if that has to happen. Do you have to adjust anything in terms of the way you distribute reps in practice?

Moore:
No, we try to be 50/50 Try to balance it out. We don’t ever want to be one way, one pass one run. You got to continue to work on everything because we’re not ever going to be a finished product in the run game, so you can’t just go with that and do more pass gam. We always trying to be as balanced as possible in everything we do

Q:
Obviously pretty early yet, but what have you seen from the guys that were vying for that third running back position?

Moore:
Oh, they’ve been great man. You know, again early, we’ve had two days in pads, so not much to go on but the guys are working their tails off. All those guys are getting reps. They’re working hard. So you know, you don’t really know this early or this early in the game especially where we really haven’t done much tackling stuff yet. That’s when you really figure out what you’re what you’re going to do.

Q:
What’s the challenge that comes with trying to replace Hassan Haskins and his skill set and is there anyone on the roster that can fulfill that potential?

Hassan Haskins

Moore:
Yeah, I mean, Hassan was an elite player in college football so you know, it’s hard to replace them but you know guys like Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards obviously we have those two and now you have Tavis, CJ Stokes even Kalel getting reps like he did in spring. Those guys have done a great job for us so far. And I just watching these guys continue to progress. Just have to see what we’re gonna have to do.

Blake Corum

Q:
The battle at right tackle what are you seeing from from Karsen and Trente?

Moore:
Trent ended the spring as a starter started camp as the starter. Karson though has has made tremendous strides. And he’s right there. He’s done a heck of a job, he’ll play for us this year. He’s the guy that we can play on either side. He’s played in his career all four positions besides center so he’s gotten stronger, more physical, more twitchy. They all look phenomenal. So Herb and his staff has done an outstanding job. So he’s done a heck of a job for us. And he’s going to continue to, to push and play for us this year.

Trente’s had an outstanding four days, he’s a really good player, but Karson is definitely pushing.

Q:
In Indianapolis Jim Harbaugh called [Donovan Edwards] a once in a generation type player. What do you see that he brings to the running game and to the offense?

Donovan Edwards


Moore:
Yeah, I mean, the first thing he brings his energy, because if he walked through right now you’d hear him yelling. And beyond the energy, the presence that he has, he’s an infectious personality. But he’s an electric player and he’s still learning to do things, he’s by no means a finished product. So he continues to strive to get better, and he just wants to be pushed to get better. But he has a great skill set to be an elite player in college football. And we have high expectations of him. And he has high expectations of himself. So I’ll just continue to push him to try to get better.

Q:
Could you could see him and Blake on the field at the same time?

Moore:
Yeah, we’ll see.

Q:
How involved you are with those guys that have done a transition from from tackle to tight end like Trent did a little bit last year. Is there another jumbo guy who throws on an “80” jersey?

Moore:
I can’t tell you that right now. We’ll see there a possibility of that.

Q:
What are the challenges of running an offense with multiple play callers, potentially, two quarterbacks? How have you planned out to attack those challenges?

J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum

Moore:
We set our plan and we have the plan. We’ll just try to execute it as best as we can and we’ve continued to do that. It’s all about finding a rhythm and that’s what we’re doing. And we feel like we’re in a really good place. And we’re just going to continue to strive and to make that perfect for game one.

Q:
I know you said it’s early, but how do you foresee the wide receiver personnel rotation playing out? Do you foresee a lot of rotation there?

Darrius Clemons

Moore:
I think in general with that position, you got to play at least 6, 7, 8 guys because they’re running a lot. So you know, we’ll see who the guys are. And we’ll continue to push them but we obviously have some studs, and we’re just ready to put their skill set on display. We got a lot of guys in that room, a lot of guys in the tight end room and running back room. So you know, it’s just gonna be our job to make sure we get them in the right places at the right time. And just continue to make sure one that they’re in the right place and two that they’re fresh while they’re doing it.

Andrel Anthony

Q:
How has Ronnie Bell been progressing?

Moore:
He’s been great. His mindset has been great, his leadership is great and he looks like his old self again. So he’s been he’s been outstanding.

Q:
How do you guys manage tackling? Do you tackle to the ground?

Moore:
It’s a mix. We mix it up and you know, coach does a great job. Sometimes it’s live sometimes it’s stuck sometimes it’s not live it’s not always the same. So we do enough where we get the physical work and guys know how to tackle on defense. We know how to break try to break tackles and do things that so it’s a good mix.

He is going to play in the next level for a long time. He has all the physical traits.

Sherrone Moore on TE Erick All

Q:
Having followed Erick All, as his position coach, you’ve seen him in high school. From then to this point, what are the biggest differences that you’ve seen?

Erick All


Moore:
Everything. Erick couldn’t get lined up when he first came here he was a mess- he’ll tell you that. He’s a beautiful human. He is going to play in the next level for a long time. He has all the physical traits. Playbook wise, he knows everything inside, from a fundamental standpoint, in the run game, he’s always wanted to just never really know how to do it. So continue to teach him that and then in the passing game, he always had the ability to run great routes, but he now he knows when to run them and how to run them and what the specific details and all those routes are, he’s just been great. He’s like 260 pounds, he came in at like 219 or 215. He looks like a grown man walking around now.

Q:
The previous previous two cycles, you know, you’ve been one of the more able recruiters How would you assess recruiting in this cycle? And how much are you able to devote to recruiting with the added responsibilities that you take? The offensive coordinator?

Moore:
Yeah, I try to do as much as I can, as much as I did before, obviously, you know, with the responsibilities now, there’s a little less than that kind of gets divvied up to other people. So I’m still doing my part, but I’m on the other side of it, trying to make sure that from an offensive standpoint, that we are where we need to be.

Q:
And overall, how would you assess kind of how you guys have attacked recruiting?

Moore:
We’ve been good, we’ve been good. It’s been, you know, just a steady pace and excited to see where it goes, especially if he’s, you know, when the dead period is done, and we can get rolling again. So

Q:
I was gonna ask you about Erick also, but now let’s switch gears to defensive line what is your perception of someone like a Mazi Smith and where he is grown, and how is the defense looking without Aidan?

Moore:
Yeah, they’ve been great. There’s been a lot of give and take. There’s been days like, Oh, dang, they’re getting it or we’re getting it and it’s just battles back and forth. So the defensive line has been progressing and coach Elston has been doing an outstanding job. They’re playing physical, fast, playing downhill, attacking the edge. Guys are coming off the edge sometimes it feels like last year. Excited to see where they go and how they’re progressing. But it’s been great. It’s been great competition has been physical. So they’ve been really progressing and Mazi has done an outstanding job. He’s a big strong dude, and they’re very hard to move, very excited for his future.

Edits made for clarity.

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Michigan Football Camp Report – Co-Offensive Coordinator Matt Weiss

Availability 8/7/22

Weiss:
All right. Good afternoon, guys. Appreciate you coming out on a Sunday. Fire away

Q:
How was the quarterback competition looking early particularly JJ, considering we didn’t see him at all in the spring.

J.J. McCarthy 2022 Spring Game

Weiss:
So JJ definitely working his way back into it. I think we’re blessed to have two guys that would start at most places. We have two really good quarterbacks and the best best players gonna play. And I would say, they’re both really improved. You look at last fall Cade has improved physically. Just like any player, he’s gotten better mentally with experience. He’s playing at a really high level. And then JJ has done the same thing. So we’re in a great position with with both those guys.

Cade McNamara

Q:
We were just talking to Sherrone about the system that you guys have for calling plays. How does that work with two play callers? And what are the mechanics of how that’s gonna go?

I think it’s really a blessing for us to have [2 QBs]. It’s another another Jim Harbaugh stroke of genius. He’s found a way to have two where everyone else has one. And I think we work really well together, we’re very collaborative.

Matt Weiss

Weiss:
I think it’s really a blessing for us to have. It’s another another Jim Harbaugh stroke of genius. He’s found a way to have two where everyone else has one. And I think we work really well together, we’re very collaborative. I know, Sherrone is a great resource for me and I try to be a great resource for him. And I think so far, we’re really happy with where the offense is and where we’re going. We have the same vision, all on one accord. And I think it’s exciting. I know, I’m glad that he’s here with me, he’s a great coach. And hopefully, he would tell you the same thing.

Q:
Has there been any limitations with JJ in terms of his arm?

Weiss:
So we monitor all of our guys in terms of how many throws they have in practice even Cade, you know, we put a lot into that in terms of not only counting reps, but also making sure that everything they take out, they’re putting back in with, you know, exercises and you know, throwing it stress on the arm, just the act of throwing the ball. It’s a weighted object. And it’s the unweighted deceleration. So we do everything we can to make sure that they’re putting putting everything back in back into their arms and taking care of their bodies. And JJ is on the exact same plan as everybody else.

Q;
With JJ is work with Tom house, what did you pick up from him? In terms of treating a shoulder correctly and throwing mechanics etc?

Weiss:
Yeah, so I’ve tried to become a student of, of Tom and also, John back, it’s been a great resource for us. And they’re kind of from the same from the same tree. Tom taught John a lot of what he knows. And I’ve tried to learn as much as I can from from those guys, and just continue the process of learning. And it’s certainly it’s helped me be a better coach and resource for those guys. And I think that’s helped make them better quarterbacks.

Q:
Did he teach you I mean, you know, not overthrowing quarterbacks is that you know, like, JJ was talking about coming in after games and throwing until 2 in the morning- not doing that anymore?

Weiss:
That’s not something we’re doing anymore. Yeah, That’s right.

Q:
How much time is Kalel Mullings spending on offense so far? I know it’s early. But he’s still working both both sides of the ball?

Weiss:
Yeah, he’s splitting his time with both sides of the ball. I think he could be a talented guy, right, do anything that he wanted to. But I think he’d be a really, really high level back if he if that’s what he committed himself to. And right now he’s doing everything we asked, obviously, it’s hard when you’re splitting time to be kind of master both. But he’s finding a way to do that. And we’re spending extra time with him, we’re excited about what he can potentially add to an already talented backfield.

Q:
What are his attributes as a running back?

We have kind of an embarrassment of riches in the backfield with with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards who both will likely be playing at the next level.

Matt Weiss

Weiss:
So he’s a bigger back, right, we have kind of an embarrassment of riches in the backfield with with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards who, you know, both guys who will likely be playing at the next level, but they’re not 200 and however many pounds Kalel is, you know, he’s a really big physical guy. So he gives you that presence that obviously, we know, we had a lot of success with Hassan last year. You know, we’re not saying that Kalel is going to be a Hassan we’re just asking him to Kalel. But he adds a [different] element [from] the other two really talented players.

Blake Corum

Q:
Sherrone mentioned the distribution of his workload when it comes to recruiting and being an offensive coordinator now relative to when he was just a position coach. I’m wondering from from your perspective, like with quarterback being such a individualistic type position, how involved you have to be with that recruiting given that you know, it is such a unique spot and what type of pressure is there because of how much attention is on that position?

Weiss:
So, recruiting is really important because we all understand that the quality of your players is the biggest input into your program. So that’s something that that we all have responsibility to do. And it’s something that I take pride in. It’s also something that I’m learning a lot about, it’s not something that I did. You know, for last 15 years, I was coaching football, and trying to get better at that. And that’s what I was invested in. And certainly if I was in college football, I’d have 15 years of recruiting experience, I’d be a lot better at that just like, just like any job, but I think I’m figuring out and learning fast and to answer your question with the quarterbacks yes, that’s what I’m focused on recruiting. And fortunately, we’re not in a position where, because of what we’re just talking about Cade and JJ, we have other guys who are really talented. We’re not not looking to take a transfer, like some other programs or anything like that we’re in a good place and happy with where things are.

Q:
You mentioned in your intro having the same vision, what is that vision?

Weiss:
Yeah, so our vision is directly from Coach Harbaugh, if you look at his history of teams, and the culture that’s here in Michigan, that’s the vision for the offense, I think you can see the evolution of that last year with what Sherrone did with the offensive line, and how physical they were last year. And the way he coached, you know, gap schemes. And I think that’s kind of the calling card of Michigan football- it’s an all weather conference, you have to be able to play in the cold, in the rain, and certainly running the ball, you know, as a part of that. And then running the ball sets up the pass game, you know, it’s a lot easier to throw the ball, when you can run the ball, it’s a lot harder to throw the ball when you can’t run the ball. And even when you look at the best passing teams in the NFL, which is more of a passing League, you know, they still run the ball, right? Because, because that’s part of the passing game.

Q:
Do you want to replicate what you did last year? Or do you want to expand beyond that? I mean, how are you?

Weiss:
Yeah. So I think any good offense will continue to evolve. So last year, you guys saw an evolution of the offense, right? We were different than previous years. And so that’s the starting point, right? There weren’t any wholesale changes, we still have the same system, same ways of calling everything, but there’s areas that we’re looking at to get better. And it’s going to be a continued continued evolution, you’re gonna see things since do things this year that you didn’t see last year, just like last year, you saw things that you didn’t see the year before. And I think you have to do that, because right now, you know, every team we play is looking at our tape, right? And they’re, they’re finding a way to exploit us and the stuff that worked last year, you know, may not be as good. But you know, we still want to, we still want to be great at that. And we want to have new things to be good at. So that’s kind of of the vision.

Q:
At Big 10 media days Coach Harbaugh talked about your perspective on football and the ideas you brought in, where did that form for you? And what about your time at Stanford contributed to the ideas that you bring to Michigan?

Weiss:
So I think my time at Stanford, obviously, I was really young, it was a formative type of coaching experience, where you’re still figuring out what you want to do as a coach and professionally that was my first introduction to coaching. So it helps, I learned kind of Jim’s vision for things, you know, his culture, and then that was like, kind of the core of, of what I started to believe and then I’d go to his brother, they’re a little bit different as people but they’re way more similar than they are different. They believe all the same things, all the core values are the same. Their vision for things is exactly the same. And so I’ve been fortunate to be indoctrinated my whole career with a great philosophy that works. And, you know, they’re both great head coaches, Jim, I think doesn’t really get the credit he deserves in terms of the coach that he is, and I would just credit credit both of them with anything that I bring is the only thing I’ve known for as long as I’ve been coaching.

Q:
How is the make-up of the team this year different? How is it similar?

Weiss:
Yeah, so the personnel is similar and that’s a lot of the same guys. And certainly, we hope that just like I mentioned, Cade is significantly improved, we hope that all our players are improved and that’s going to allow us to be more effective with better players even other the same players and and to do more and certainly, you’re gonna see very similar very similar personnel. It’s kind of the same guys.


Q:
With all the time you spent in the NFL and the NFL kind of being defined starter and backup quarterback league as opposed to timeshare type stuff. How do you feel about splitting the time at the position- would you be more comfortable if there was a defined starter and a backup- where the bulk of your experience is – would you be more comfortable with that?

Weiss:
I think the philosophy here, Sherrone and Jim would tell you the same thing, we will win by any means necessary. So the best players are gonna play, the best quarterback is gonna play, it’s true in any position. But then if there’s something that we can do, if somebody adds an element that we don’t have, just like we’re talking about with with Kalel, we’re gonna use that person. So like you can go back to last year now that’s over and really kind of explain what we were doing with that.

The first thing your backup quarterback had never taken a snap in college football, right? You don’t know when you’re gonna need them. You don’t want to be in a position where the first time you need them is on the road, in a close game against a ranked opponent, and the guy’s never taken a snap, you know that you can look through college football and see that happened to a big 10 team last year. So the first thing is we need to get them on the field, give him experience to develop our backup represents the only way to do that. And then the other thing we did is use him on a lot of quarterback runs- certainly he threw the ball effectively, also, but what that did for him is it controlled the defense, right, if you’re running a lot of quarterback runs, they’re not going to be running, you know, four-to-a-side blitzes and showing him all different types of coverages, but they’re going to make sure they have everything gapped down, they’re going to be more static, that that made things easier for him, right, he didn’t have to go out on, you know, 3rd and 15, with some crazy blitz coming and figure that out, we’re able to control when he was in the game, and what he was doing, and then help him have success, right. So it could build on success. So we were able to develop our backup. But then at the same time, he was able to do things athletically that that helped us, right, he helped us win games. And to his credit, you know, he earned the opportunity to go out there and do that. And he helped us, he helped us win win games, and he was really effective. And he’s a really good player, and he’s gonna be, he’s gonna be really good. So, you know, we’re excited about him in the future. And I mean, it’s hard to see, you know, him being anything, but really, really good at the University of Michigan, whenever it’s time comes, so we’re just gonna continue to develop him. And, you know, he’ll be playing for us at some point it’s just a question of when.

Q:
With regard to quarterback recruiting events, and how much value is assigned to creating an attractive offense for that position?

Weiss:
Yeah, I’m learning about recruiting, I thought that’s what it would all be about. The NFL guys want to go where they have, certainly money is a factor. Right? But, but usually, the money is pretty close on the teams are deciding between them, they pick between, you know, the place that is going to utilize them the best where they’re not the most opportunity to win. And that’s, you know, that’s where they go. And so I certainly thought coming in here, okay, if we can get the offense really good, recruiting would be easy. And then I think one thing I’ve learned is there is a lot of the relationship element to it. Right? Where if if NFL free agent, signed with a team and went to the press conference, and said, You know, I’m just here because I just love this position coach, I mean, this guy, we have a great relationship, we’re up playing like fortnight every morning, you know, every day or two in the morning, and this guy is just awesome. That’s why I’m here. Everybody would be like, what, like, wow, like, what’s wrong with this guy? But, but in college, that’s kind of that’s kind of what happens and something only thing that things are based on but it matters, right? And so I’m learning that figuring out how to do that now certainly, I’m not playing fortnight with anyone at two in the morning. But just like I tell just like I tell the recruits that it’s like the guy that’s playing video games with you at 11 o’clock at night or whatever that’s what he’s going to be doing when he should be trying to help you become a better player and should be game planning and figuring out ways to make the offense go he’s going to be playing fortnight with some 16 year old.

Q:
Do you find that the quarterbacks [recruiting prospects] are receptive to the kind of ideas that you have for the offense and what you’re what you’re planning to do and what they saw last year?

Weiss:
Yeah, I think the guys that fit us are the type of the guys who are successful here. We have a great culture here we have great guys on the team and it’s credit to the Jim obviously but you know it self selects- the guys who do well here the guys who like football the guys who just want to play football that’s what they love to do. And this is like a football like cathedral everything all the football you can you can handle and more. And those are the guys that play self selects for that so you guys are into other stuff, you know, whether it’s, you know, a locker that turns into a bed or flat screen TV and your Yeah, and your locker whatever it is, those guys usually don’t do well here. If they come here, they usually don’t come here. Right. So the same thing with the quarterbacks we get I think I think our types of guys they want to come.

Q:
We heard a lot about the freshmen receivers that in Indianapolis, where are they and their development and considering the breadth of talent, established talent already in the wide receiver room, what did they need to do to be able to see the field in year one?

Darrius Clemons 2022 Spring Game

Weiss:
So I think I think those guys all have great futures. The three freshmen are the ones we’re talking about, right? Omarion and Tyler, right, and Darrius. So all three of them have bright futures, all three of them are gonna play. If we can find a role for them, where they can help us we’ll do that right now. Obviously, this is week one, a training camp, they’re they’re trying to learn the offense, and we’re trying to see what they can do really well and how we can use them. And, you know, there’s guys ahead of them on the depth chart, but they all have bright futures. And I mean, they’re, they’re talking about guys, so we’re like our types of guys, there’s three guys who fit here are gonna who are gonna be really successful. Guys are all football- great, guys. Those guys are going to be good and we’ll find it we’ll find a role to use them. Anyway, we can


Q:
In your opinion, what are the top traits that makes a successful starting quarterback?

Weiss:
So the way I kind of look at it is so first of all, you have two things you can’t that or you can’t really do much about you know, you can improve them, certainly but but it’s hard to really move the needle which is kind of which is mobility and in arm strength.

You can either throw a football 70 yards or you can’t.

You can either run a certain speed and be able to cut or you can’t.

You always look at that and knowing that those things kind of aren’t gonna change right and then we also look at really accuracy timing decision making.

Those are things that you know, you can potentially improve more but that’s how you kind of look at the skill set so mobility and arm strength knowing that those things are a little bit more fixed accuracy timing decision making knowing you can kind of shape those a little bit more and then obviously the intangibles right leadership what type of guy is he?

Is he a winner?
All the things that you that you want your quarterback to be really all the stuff we have with our guys right with kid. Certainly say you say all this things about Cade. He’s a winner. He has all those intangibles. And that’s what you look for.

Edits made for clarity.