The Michigan Insider

In a mailbag episode, we discuss some of the latest conversations going on about Michigan football. 

Among the topics we broke down included:

-How colder weather will impact Michigan’s 2020 season with four games being played after Thanksgiving.

-How a lack of fans will affect the Wolverines’ 2020 season both at home and on the road.

-Who will lead Michigan in sacks in 2020

-How the Wolverines’ receivers and tight ends will rank in receiving yards this season

-Why Michigan has struggled to land a five-star cornerback, and how much that matters for the Wolverines

-Michigan’s 2017 recruiting class — which ranked among the top five yet has not produced even 10 starters yet vs. what changed in the Wolverines’ 2018 and 2019 recruiting classes

-Our strategies for rock-paper-scissors and coin flips

Sam Webb interviews Top247 Oak Park (Mich.) DL/OL Rayshaun Benny about his upcoming decision, the breaks down which contender poses the biggest threat to Michigan with Steve Lorenz and Brice Marich. Then Marich recaps last week's trip to Florida to get definitive word on where Michigan stands with FSU commit Omarion Cooper. He also gives an early look at rising 2022 Naples (Fla.) DB Devin Moore's interest in the Wolverines. Later Brian Snow joins the podcast to update Michigan's standing with Efton Reid. Josh Henschke helps finish out the podcast with a discussion of Michigan's chances with five-stars Charles Bediako and Caleb Houstan.

In this episode, we introduce and discuss the impact freshmen that Michigan fans need to know ahead of the 2020 season.

After a quick look at the class in general, we look at the offensive side of the ball, and identify four true freshmen that can make a year one impact. We discuss home-run skill players who offer a blend of speed and elusiveness, and how one true freshman is making a surprising indent on Michigan's offensive line.

Then, we turn it over to the defensive side of the ball. We look at two players who have received the most praise so far and that we believe are locked into the two-deep. Then, we identify a few other freshmen that we project to be utilized as backups and special teams players.

We close with a look at any names we forgot, then offer a quick update on Michigan's redshirt freshmen that should make an impact this season.

Sam Webb is joined by The Michigan Insider's Josh Newkirk who recaps his trip to New Jersey to watch and interview top 2022 targets Keon Sabb and Jaeden Gould, Rising 2023 DL Sydir Mitchell, and DL commitment Dominick Giudice. Then Steve Lorenz and Brice Marich join the show to handicap the Sabb and Gould recruitments, then discuss trips to see top in-state targets Will Johnson and Donovan Edwards in action. The crew closes things out with an in-depth discussion of the top 2022 defensive line targets so far.

In an around-the-horn horn episode, we tackle listener questions and other smaller topics. The episode can be heard in the embedded link below.

First, we discuss Ben Mason’s role in Michigan’s offense entering the 2020 season. We explain why it makes sense for Mason to warm up and practice with the Wolverines’ tight ends, how his fullback role changes in Josh Gattis’ offense, how Michigan can still maximize what Mason brings to the table and how he fits in as a senior leader.

Then, we discuss the Wolverines’ wide receiver room, and whether or not Michigan’s lack of height is a significant concern for this season. We look at the Wolverines’ speed at wide receiver, how height has become less of a factor in top receiving rooms around the country, Josh Gattis’ history with receivers of varying heights and which Michigan receivers can play outside this season. We also look at how height factors into the Wolverines’ 2021 wide receiver recruiting.

We close with a discussion on two position battles we’re keeping a close eye on in Michigan’s defense. Along the way, we discuss how high-profile recruits and multi-year reserve players both get unfair expectations laid upon them, the state of Michigan’s cornerback and safety rooms and how we expect the VIPER position shakes out.

In a special, double-length episode, we break down five things Michigan and its fans should feel good about a month before the season, and five things they might lose sleep over still.

We open with a discussion of some of Michigan’s best traits. We discuss the Wolverines’ breadth of leadership across the team, just how fast Michigan’s receivers are, the strength of the running back room, a hungry defensive line and a pair of excellent coverage safeties. 

Then, we turn the discussion to some of the biggest question marks surrounding the Wolverines. Included are discussions on Michigan’s cornerback inexperience, potential pass-protecting weaknesses in the interior of the Wolverines’ offensive line, Joe Milton’s history of inaccuracy, Michigan’s struggles with interior pass rush and a few position groups where depth is a concern.

Along the way, we discuss a number of Michigan’s other strength and weaknesses, including the Wolverines’ offensive tackles, their home-run threats running ball, potential position switches and trouble points and players who have made moves since fall camp began.

Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich discuss the commitment of 2022 tight end commit Marlin Klein, the comparison to Travis Kelce by his athletic mentor Bjorn Werner, the latest rumblings on Michigan's standing with four-star CB Ceyair Wright and Florida State commit Omarion Cooper. Then talk turns to 2022 where the Wolverines are at or near the top for elite defensive back targets Domani Jackson and Larry Turner-Gooden, both of whom have strong connections to the Maize & Blue.

Sam Webb and Tim McCormick discuss how Michigan's growth & development could mimic the Miami Heat's, concern over recent five-star recruiting misses, Chaundee Brown's waiver process, and then reconnect with former Michigan standout Charles Matthews. Matthews discusses his rehab from injury, preparation for the draft, Jace Howard's game, and his business venture with Zavier Simpson called The Player's Trunk.

Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, Josh Henschke chat with Brice Marich who was in attendance at a major 7-on-7 tournament in Arizona. Marich recounted strong performances by Michigan commits Cristian Dixon and Xavier Worthy. Then Marich highlighted interviews with elite DB targets Ceyair Wright, Domani Jackson, and Larry Turner-Gooden, all who had rave reviews for Michigan DB coach Mike Zordich. Sam, Steve and Josh then turned their attention the Big 10 schedule, new names on the offensive line board, and the possibility of Michigan pursuing Penn State comments in the aftermath of James Franklin criticizing his program's 2021 recruiting effort.

In this episode, we take a look at a number of new going-ons pertaining to Michigan football.

We begin with a look at the Michigan football team’s new 2020 schedule. We discuss why not much has changed with the schedule, how the Wolverines found themselves with one of the nation’s toughest schedules and why their season-opening matchup is so interesting. We also look at very early record predictions for the Wolverines, including why we don’t think a four-loss regular season is likely, which teams should worry Michigan the most and more.

Then, we discuss the Wolverines’ defense, and the ways that it can improve in big games in 2020 compared to recent losses. We then turn the discussion to Michigan’s new quarterback, Joe Milton, and discuss what to make of him winning the job, what it entails and what’s next for him and Milton.

To close the episode, we take a look at wide receiver depth following Nico Collins’ departure, why the position group might be fine overall and why the Wolverines seem to lose more players to NFL Draft decisions than Ohio State does.