Michigan Friday: New BBall Commit and 1st Day of Practice

Michigan Football takes the practice field today for the first time with its full 2021 squad.   For the first time in a long time, this team is under the radar.  Little clarity at QB and a completely brand new defensive coaching staff.  Its time to get back to hard nose Michigan Football and that journey starts today.  I hope both sides are 100% invested into being a very good football team.  I don't see this offense putting up 40 a game, so if this team is going to be good, the defense has to be 100% different then its been. 

Michigan Basketball got good news on the recruiting trail last night, when 4 star 6'10 230 pound Center Tarris Reed committed to the Wolverines.   Reed picked Michigan over OSU, Purdue, and Michigan State.  

He is more of a power player then a finesse guy and will use his larger frame for low post moves and maybe a mid range jumper off the pick and roll.  He is not 7 foot Hunter Dickinson but is a big that could play center or power forward in the Big 10.   He was a very big priority to OSU, MSU, and Purdue and  Juwan Howard got him.  He averaged 15 points per game with 7 boards in 8 gamed during the Peach Jam just a few weeks ago.  Welcome TR!

• The Wolverine family has lost two former athletes in just a few days, Tony Tolbert former basketball player and former Safety on the football team Michael Englemon.   RIP to both and our hearts go out to their families. 

• The Washington game is going to be a Mazie Out

• Per our new DC:  ‘We’re not splitting atoms,’ Macdonald acknowledges in terms of the scheme he’s borrowing from mentors such as Wink Martindale and Todd Grantham. We’ll certainly see myriad looks, with the defensive ends backed up as outside linebackers, still rushing the passer, but also dropping into coverage. They may line up all over the field, but the name of the game is all about creating chaos and being unpredictable. Something Macdonald says will pay dividends when opposing offenses line up against his defensive attack.

• Per our OC on the OL: “The challenge for us is figuring out the best five and also figuring out where we put the best five, based on matchups,” Gattis said. “We’ve got a returning starter in Vastardis and V has done a tremendous job – I love V. So, this is not a move to center, but what fits best for sometimes our matchups, sometimes our identity. You can see scenarios where he plays multiple positions within a game – who knows? But I think that’s gonna be a tremendous challenge for us in camp to see some of those other guys like Trente Jones. Is Trente gonna continue to showcase who he was this spring. He really elevated his game. He’s a high-level player. Also having Trevor Keegan coming back who started two games. And Chuck Filiaga – all the different pieces – Karsen Barnhart. Those guys weren’t even in our starting five in the spring, but they all started games.  He also said that Zak Zinter is maybe their best player on offense.