2022 Michigan Wolverine Depth Chart — Defense – Game 1
2022 Michigan Wolverine Depth Chart — Offense – Game 1
Michigan Football Camp Report – WR Roman Wilson
8/23/22 Availability
Q:
How does Sainristil look at cornerback?
Wilson:
Mike, looks really good out there. He’s got a good feel for things not only because he’s athletic, but he plays offense so he kind of knows where routes are going and he’s got a good feel, looks good.
Q:
What’s different for you in year three?
Wilson:
Something big for me is, you know, I put a lot more effort and energy into things. I gotta stop caring about what people think and I just gotta go out there and bring good vibes and just have fun.
We don’t want to be what old Michigan was, we want to set a new standard…It’s no surprise that we haven’t done that well in the past few years…We want to be considered one of the best when we leave this program.
Roman Wilson
Q:
How is the competition for reps in the wide receiver in this year been different compared to your first couple of years?
Wilson:
For me it’s been different…I feel like you’re no longer fighting to be a starter, you’re just fighting to get like reps in practice and just better yourself. Like no matter like where you are on the depth chart, like all 19 receivers are just trying to get as many reps as they can. So like, it’s not just fighting to start, it’s fighting to get better.
Q:
Now that last year is gone, can you explain how badly the wrist bothered you even after you came back?
Wilson:
I can still feel it. Like it still hurts, like I can’t do push ups and when I push off, I can’t really bend it. But I wouldn’t say it bothers me though.
Q:
Is that way in perpetuity- it’s just going to be that way?
Wilson:
It’s gonna be like this rest of my life. I just got to deal with it.
Q:
What’s it been like watching Darrius Clemons from when he got on campus to now. I know when he came in physically ready but how was he looking with route running and figuring all those things out schematically?
Wilson:
For all the freshmen it’s been amazing to watch them just learn new technique and watch them like develop into like a real receiver. And you know…he’s a big guy, it feels good to watch him not just like be big all the time and really like focus on his technique, even though he had good technique before, but just a different level now.
Q:
When you said you want to stop caring what people think about you what do you mean by that?
Wilson:
I want to say like not caring but stop thinking so much. Kind of just be in a space where you know I’m just focused on football and focus on winning games. That’s all that really matters.
Q:
Who’s the fastest guy on the team?
Wilson:
I’m gonna say it’s me all day. DJ shocked me this year, he was moving pretty fast in the summer. Eamonn Dennis, Amorion Walker. AJ. Yeah…a couple freshmen in there.
Q:
Who are the fastest running backwards?
Wilson:
Running backwards? [ laughter]
Q:
From your view, what is the quarterback situation like?
Wilson:
You know, they’re both been really good but if I had to be honest, I feel like our best option is probably me. But now, they’re both doing good. It’s gonna be hard to pick one. So you never know.
Q:
Cade a couple weeks ago said this team wants to prove last year wasn’t a fluke. Is that something that you all talked about? How does that manifest when you’re preparing for a season?
Wilson:
Our goals for the season is different you know last year was more you know, beat our rivals but this year is more like we want it all, we want to beat our rivals, go the playoffs, like Big 10 Championship, like all that. We want to come for it all. We don’t want to be what old Michigan was, we want to set a new standard for us.
Q:
When you say old Michigan what do you mean by that?
Wilson:
It’s no surprise that we haven’t done that well in the past few years. And you know, we want to take our game like up here, we want to be like considered one of the best when we leave this program.
Q:
How do you separate yourself in such a crowded receiver room when you have so many guys?
Wilson:
That’s a good question. I feel like the one way to separate yourself is being consistent and reliable. You got to know what’s going on at all times and you got to make plays when the ball comes your way.
Q:
You talked about old Michigan and how you guys have sort of changed a bit. At what point do you think you guys turned that corner? Whether it was last year, maybe this offseason when you turn that corner and if you haven’t turned that corner what do you think it takes?
Wilson:
Just like effort and energy like when I was a freshman I always felt like we was working hard, but, you know, just the difference we’ve come and the amount of like energy and the guys like really want to. It just feels different. It’s like, you can’t even explain it.
Q:
You think it’s like the language among the team is how you guys talk to each other in practice?
Wilson:
Yeah, I mean like people talk shit to each other, like they get upset over plays and like nobody likes to lose, like everyone’s a sore loser…It’s competitive.
Q:
What does it mean to your room to have Ronnie Bell back both as a leader as well as production-wise?
Wilson:
It means a lot having Ronnie there, he’s a vocal guy. He’s always saying something and you know, kind of telling the coaches how we feel about certain things and it’s great, he brings a lot of energy. He has a lot of fun in practice, just another guy to have around. He’s a great leader and helps out a lot.
Q:
What’s it like to have Ron Bellamy as your position coach?
Wilson:
Coach Gattis, he was cool, I really liked him a lot but Coach Bell he played receiver here so it obviously means more like to him, I would hope so.
Q:
Kind of piggybacking off that what’s the biggest difference in coaching style between coach Gattis and coach Bellamy?
Wilson:
I wouldn’t say like, there’s too much [different] like both of them are competitive and just push us to the limit.
Edits made for clarity.
Michigan Football Camp Report – WR Cornelius Johnson
8/19/22 Availability
Q:
How would you describe the depth in the wide receiver room?
Johnson:
That’s a good question. I would say, for our receiver room, we always pride ourselves on being prepared for anything, especially as route runners. You know, our job is to get open no matter what, like even if it’s a run, pass, we’re always trying to contribute any way and that allows us for once we do get the opportunity for all all receivers, we got to be ready once it comes to us…
Q:
With so many guys will it be hard to keep everybody happy?
Johnson:
I feel like we got a good group of guys and our chemistry right now is really high within the receiver room.
Q:
With a couple of years of time on task now being a starter where do you feel like you have made your biggest improvement this offseason? And what do you what do you think you can go? Like? What level do you think you can go to this season?
Johnson:
With this being my senior season I’ve been in the program, this being my fourth year and I feel like being here for that long I’ve improved on just knowing what to expect more and being on track with the quarterbacks. I’m looking forward to this fall, being there every day for my teammates, and making sure that I contribute that way.
Q:
How much do you think the offense changed when Ronnie went down last season?
Johnson:
When Ronnie went down last season, I feel like the offense was definitely hurt because he was our team captain and a big contributor for us.
Q:
Getting him back in the fold. I mean, how much does the offense change again?
Johnson:
I feel like with Ronnie in the mix, it’s good to have a weapons all over the offense and using those weapons I feel like that’s just great for our entire program. I mean, no matter what, just production everywhere.
Q:
What have you seen from Mike, on the defensive side? Is it unique going up against someone who’s sometimes also in your room too?
Johnson:
For my whole time here, I feel like I’ve been in the same lineup right next to him on the offensive side of the ball. And then with him being on defense, that’s a good advantage for him because he can see both sides of the ball and it’s fun to compete against him in practice. because it’s even more personal because he’s also a route runner too.
Q:
Does it come naturally for him that defensive side?
Johnson:
Definitely in my eyes. I feel like it does, because I feel like he played that right in like high school and other than in his past. So it’s good to see how versatile he is and hoping for the best one.
He’s a great young receiver…He’s got a lot of speed and he can go down the field and catch passes…I feel like he could definitely contribute early.
Cornelius Johnson on Darrius Clemons
Q:
Do have to have a different mindset to play special teams? And if so, like, what is it? What do you have to flip the different switch?
Johnson:
It’s not necessarily flipping a different switch, it’s just obviously not the same phase, but it’s the same switch that goes off at the beginning of the game. Once you step on that field by playing your pads, that switch gotta go off…If you wait till it’s way too late, and like it’s not something that can just be on and off.
Our coach always talks about that, you know, treat practice as if it’s like the game so then like, once the game comes, it’s just like practice, you know, I mean, it’s kind of like, something like that. I think about my head. You can’t just be on and off for games. That’s not really realistic. So it’s all the time even in practice, you got to have that switch even on special teams.
Q:
Have you blocked any punts in practice?
Johnson:
We don’t go necessarily like live punts in practice, I’m not gonna be diving our punters. But we definitely are trying to put in schemes and put in different techniques, so that I can improve to block punts this season.
Q:
We’ve heard a lot about Darrius Clemens, what have you seen from him and why might he be able to contribute early?
Johnson:
I feel like he’s a great young receiver. He’s got a lot of speed and he can go down the field and catch passes. To have Darrius in as a friend and as another member of our wide receiver crew has been really awesome because I’ve got to know him better. We were on that Michigan trip, we were roommates and everything and to get to know him and to learn from him and also I can tell him different stuff. I feel like he could definitely contribute early.
Q:
Coach Bellamy said that Ronnie’s return might make it harder for other teams to shade their coverage toward you or do some of the bracket things that maybe you saw at times last year, I guess, are you eager for that opportunity to maybe have somebody else that can attract attention? And maybe there’s more open space for you?
Johnson:
It’s involves like schemes and offensive play calls. I’m definitely excited for the opportunity to go out there and be on the same field as Ronnie and the other receivers as well because once we get each other going, that opens up the door for other opportunities for other players. I mean, obviously, everyone knows that’s the game of football. I’m definitely excited for the opportunity.
Q:
Have you watched Hard Knocks, and if you have, what was your thoughts on watching that with a former teammate kind of featured on there?
Johnson:
I remember watching that we were in the hotel room, and we turned it on and I remember seeing Aiden and he was doing the Billy Jean thing…It was fun to watch, especially knowing Aiden last year and seeing how he was welcomed into the Lions program. That was just fun to turn on that week and I’m looking forward to watching the next one coming on HBO.
Q:
Did you know that he could sing like that?
Johnson:
Not necessarily, that kind of surprised me. Did you know that? Like I had no idea? I’m excited for him, I mean, I’m hoping to go to a game in November at the stadium.
Q:
We talked about Darrius a little bit already but what have the freshman wide receivers added to your group that maybe the team didn’t last year or something you’ve been impressed by?
We focus on not necessarily being strictly an outside receiver, strictly playing on the left, or the right, or the middle, or in a slot. We just call ourselves wide receivers in general…
Cornelius Johnson
Johnson:
Like I mentioned earlier, just depth and being able to run every route. For us, we try and focus on not necessarily being strictly an outside receiver, strictly playing on the left, or the right, or the middle, or in a slot. We just call ourselves wide receivers in general, so we got to know everything and getting them to know the playbook, getting everything going, that makes it that much more fluid for everyone else.
Q:
What were your impressions when you Blake back in camp with an extra 11 or 12 pounds… Still lightning and lightning he said but maybe there’s a little more thunder?
Johnson:
You said lightning and thunder? Yeah, seeing that just really excites me because I feel like he’s in great shape, just like our team, having him as that weapon, maybe more thunder, more lightning, just everything. I feel like that if he can get that goal, then it’s good.
Edits made for clarity.
Michigan Football Camp Report – Safety RJ Moten
8/12/22 Player Availability
Q:
What’s the difference for you this year, going into your third year compared to some of other years as far as your approach and knowing that you were vying for a starting spot?
Moten:
I mean, really, I just got to attack each and every day like it’s the same, you know, I gotta take care of my body a lot better than what I did the past two years. I got to study the game a lot better than what I did, understand the defense, understand the offense we’re playing that week. I’m really just doing everything another notch higher than the year before.
Q:
Obviously, the team had a lot of success last year, what will it take to take the next step?
Moten:
Everybody’s just got to do their 1/11 whether it’s on special teams, whether it’s on offense, defense, we all just got to you know, know what we’re supposed to do like that one person, and then everything will click.
Q:
We’ve heard a lot in the last couple of days from both coaches and other players, Luke Schoonmaker was talking about how when he lines up against you guys everyone’s screaming. And then the coach is talking about obnoxious communication. What does that look like to you? And how different is that or similar to what the past defenses you’ve been a part of?
Moten:
Obnoxious communication just comes from everybody understanding, like I said what 1/11 is, and you’ll see us out there, we’re pre snap communication, we’ll see something that somebody’s doing and then we’re all saying oh, he’s about the motion. Alright, so what’s that check we’re going to in…it just shows we’re all on the same page, we all understand what’s about to happen and what we’re supposed to do.
If we have obnoxious communication, I think we can be the best defense in the nation.
Q:
Do you feel like you has that in some of you other years?
Moten:
Freshman year- not really, last year a little bit but this year since it’s our second year in the defense everybody’s comfortable and it definitely has stepped it up.
Q:
Coach Harbaugh has mentioned that there are some pieces of the defense that are further along now than they were at this time last year it’s outside of the obnoxious communication what pieces are those?
Moten:
I really don’t know, I feel like every everything’s just the way it’s supposed to be you know we understand the defense, our tackling has gotten better, coverage obviously has gotten better. We’re able to put like little little things in, I really think we know the whole defense is just like what it’s supposed to be right now.
Q:
Going against your two quarterbacks how much does that help prepare you for the season? And how much of a challenge do you think it’ll be for other teams to cope with both of those guys?
Moten:
I mean, they’re two different quarterbacks so you know, you got one that you know JJ who likes to rollout and run so we obviously you got to know that when he does that, we got to plaster, find our man. I think that you know, game planning for both of them will be obviously hard, because they both have a different style of play. So one can do one thing and one can do the other. But I think game planning for them will be a lot harder this year for sure.
Q:
Ronnie Bell was elected captain last year then he has the injury and how hard was that for y’all to see that and do you admire how he was able to maintain his leadership role?
Moten:
Oh, yeah. 100% you know, going into last year, everybody knew Ronnie was gonna have a big year. You know, that was one thing that he made known. But seeing him go down that first game really hit home, and, you know, just seeing that he never hung his head made us never hang our heads. He’s just been putting in the work getting rehab done. And I think this year will his year.
Q:
I know he’s playing in front of you. But how much have you seen Junior Colson evolve from when he first arrived last year to where he’s at right now?
Moten:
100%…evolved he understands the game a lot more. He’s vocal a lot more, you know, you see him covering now on running backs, tight ends and he’s just all around the ball like anywhere the ball is. The ball could be here on one play and the next play, he’s gonna be here. So he’s, he’s doing a good job.
Q:
Is there anything that he can do that maybe we haven’t seen yet in games that we don’t know about?
Moten:
Jr. can do it all? Do it all. I promise you that.
Q:
You mentioned, finding ways to take care of your body better, prepare better than you have in the past? I was wondering is that was that the decision to embrace those things was that linked at all to last year with you and Rod battling for playing time and maybe realizing that every little thing adds to where your standing might be on the depth chart? Or was it not connected to that?
Moten:
Oh, yeah, every little thing matters. Like, no matter, like everything I do, whether it’s in the game or not, whether it’s how I sleep, everything matters like if you want that starting job or not…
Q:
What goes in to taking better care of your body?
Moten:
Getting in the ice tub every day, you know, actually getting into the treatment room and even if something feels sore to telling them like, hey, this is sore and not pushing it aside…
Q:
Coach Clinkscale mentioned that there’s an emphasis on creating more takeaways, why don’t you think you guys were able to do that this year? And what are you doing to improve that number this year. Why do we think it didn’t happen last year? And what are you doing to improve this year?
Moten:
That’s a hard question. Really, what we’re doing is every time that you know, the ball is thrown or ran, we’re just taking shots at the ball, you know, you’ll see us a practice, punch out the ball, you know, to create that habit in my mind every time you know, if you’re the second guy in punch at the ball, punch at the ball…I mean, we did it last year, too. So I mean, I don’t know how to answer that part of the question like, how that could have been different. But yeah you’ll see as we’re doing a lot more ball drills…and that’s really just punching at it and trying to strip it out.
Q:
Do you think it’s also has to do with positioning, I guess maybe just being in a spot? I mean, as a safety or, or whatever. I mean, it is that something that maybe can be improved just by the fact that you guys are in the second year of this system?
Moten:
Do I think it’s harder?
Q:
Yeah. I mean, like the position that, you know, being in a position, the right position to make the play…being in the second year of the system?
Moten:
Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, definitely being able to understand, you know, defense a lot better I can get ahead of the play. If that’s what you’re asking. Yeah, for sure.
Q:
Do you think it’s fair to describe this defense as a no star defense?
Moten:
We’re all stars. Swear, everybody, every person that will play this year is a star. I don’t care what the critics say, I don’t care what anybody else says, we will be the best defense in the nation.
Q:
What makes you so confident?
Moten:
We all know what we’re doing and we’re a lot hungrier, you know and everybody you know, is chasing that same goal. Like I said, that obnoxious communication comes along with it. We all understand what we’re doing. We all understand, you know, our parts and we’re just, we’re just ready. Yeah.
Q:
How similar is the defense despite being a different defensive coordinator?
Moten:
It’s the same thing, just a couple of tweaks, some different terminology.
Q:
We asked Ronnie this but when you’re looking at such a packed receiver room, is there someone who may surprise us this year?
Moten:
Our receiver room is deep. I think every every receiver in that room has has an opportunity to you know make a couple plays this year. I don’t really like to single out just one person. I think I’ve seen a lot from all of them and I’ve gone against all of them almost. But I think obviously room- they’re all like they all are playmakers.
Q:
Who has made the most impressive play so far?
Moten:
Impressive play, probably Ronnie. I don’t know if y’all saw the pictures the other day, but right I think Gemon tipped the ball like, Ronnie made a one handed catch like, barely in the endzone but yeah, I think that was the most impressive play this year.
Q:
You guys obviously lost the playmakers last year Aiden, David, and Dax, but when you hear your coach come out and say that this defense could be better than last year, what does that mean, you guys in just in terms of confidence?
Moten:
Let me figure out how to say is- we all we all are confident, you know, I’m saying most of us played in a couple games last year, we got a couple new guys getting ready to play this year. But I think that with the leadership that the guys that have been in the fire before, I think that we’ll be able to all compact as a defense and you know, be better and see bigger than last year.
Q:
Maybe one of the only knocks on last year’s defense was some of the struggles with tempo were lining up, you know, in avoiding some of the too many men on the field penalties. With the defense being the same how does Coach Minter attack some of those things so that it doesn’t repeat itself this year?
Moten:
We’ll do those scenarios and practice so it’d be like two minute, and then we’ll know like now okay, we can’t sub in two minutes or like certain situations we can’t sub, we can sub or like certain situations he knows he’s got to get the call out faster. So we’ll, we’ll do all those scenarios in practice.
Edits made for clarity.