Everything Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said on In the Trenches after spring ball

USA Today

23-04-2025

Everything Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said on In the Trenches after spring ball
Spring ball for the Michigan Wolverines has come to a close with the final of 15 practices having culminated in the annual spring game this past Saturday. Fans who didn't trek to Ann Arbor to see it in person will be able to watch it on Big Ten Network on Sunday, as the game was tape-delayed for eight days due to the transfer portal.
Now that spring ball is in the books, head coach Sherrone Moore is ready to discuss what he's seen from his team. Appearing on the In the Trenches Podcast with Jon Jansen, Moore broke down everything about the offense and defense, from the front seven to the quarterbacks to the wide receivers to the offensive line.
Here is everything he had to say.
All right, coach, spring ball's in the books. What'd you learn? Just some broad strokes about your team this year.
Well, very excited about the energy. It feels like a youth movement. A lot of young guys that are being starting roles, new guys in starting roles, and guys that have been here for a long time getting roles that they've really earned and then worked their opportunity for, and then obviously some new faces, so it was an awesome spring, physical spring, and it went by super fast. You sometimes wish that you had a couple more practices and a couple more times, but it ended with a good, healthy spring game, and I was proud of the team.
Is the spring game something, I know there were some concessions made this year about delaying the viewing of the game on Big Ten Network. We didn't have a radio broadcast. Is that something that you wanna try and keep as a part of the spring program?
Yeah, I think we'll see. I think we'll see as we go, and different factors weighing on options of things we need to do with the spring game, so I felt like that was the best decision for us at this time, and then we'll see what happens next year.
Let's start on the defensive side of things, because the defense that we saw against Alabama in the bowl game, large part is the defense that we saw all spring. What were your takeaways, and how do you replace some of those key pieces like Will Johnson, Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant?
Yeah, those guys, I feel like on the defense, they just kinda rolled into what they did in the bowl game, what they did against Ohio State, really felt like they just took the momentum and ran with it. Even the new guys that came in, they just assimilated to the culture, and it looks like we're gonna be a deep defense, fast, physical, long, tall, so super excited about them and see where they're at, and it feels like now that there's staff camaraderie, because the same staff is there, and the players understand the staff, the players understand Wink, Wink understands the players, it flows really well, and it's cool to watch.
Let's talk about the defensive tackles, because I know when you talk about depth, and this might be the deepest position on the team, but all six guys that have been rotating in there, not only do they play similar, they almost look similar. And I mean, they're like cookie-cutter guys. What have you seen from that defensive tackle position?
It is super deep. You know, you start with a guy like Rayshaun Benny, who's been here and played a lot of football, has been an impact player, and he's been sitting behind guys every year, but he's played every year, so he's got the experience in the big games. He's got the experience in every game possible to know what it looks like and how it prepares, and he's been great. A guy like Ike Iwunnah, to watch him where he's been -- he was a guy that's been on the scout team two years ago, and now I got a guy that's in the rotation.
And I can go down the list, Damon Payne, transfer, Tré Williams has been an impact player for us, Trey Pierce is a young guy who played a lot in the bowl game, and then Enow Etta. So you got six guys right there that you feel like you can throw in the game, and be ready to play.
Is the goal for those guys, one, you wanna play the best players, but to also keep them fresh, so you always have fresh bodies out there?
100%, especially if you go to a long season, you want all those guys that not play so many snaps, so being able to rotate guys is a huge piece for us.
What'd you see from the edge position? Because there's some talent there, and some guys that didn't get a chance to shine.
I think right now you got four guys with TJ Guy, Derrick Moore, Dom Nichols, and Cam Brandt who, you find me a better edge room in the country. I gotta see it, because those guys are all unbelievable, and you got two older guys with Derrick and TJ, and then you got the two younger guys who just follow suit, and they all have a little bit something different, but all have the same mindset. So it's been great to watch, and those guys have been giving the tackles fits, but made them a lot better.
The linebacking group, we've seen Jaishawn Barham, and we've heard Wink talk about different creative ways to use him. We've seen Ernie now going on his third year here. But a guy that really jumped off the film to me, I saw him at practice, Jimmy Rolder. Looks like he is just ready to really allow those other guys, and Wink to be creative with them, knowing they've got Jimmy there in the middle.
Yeah, Jimmy to us is another starter. I feel like we got three true starters in that room with those guys, and then adding a guy like Cole Sullivan, who really can play multiple spots too, but those three, and all three of those guys are seniors, but they're all guys that there's many packages where they're all three on the field at the same time, and we're gonna feel like we're gonna need that to win the big games.
The secondary, you lost to some talent there, and there, but there's other guys. Rod Moore, first of all, is there an update on Rod Moore? Do you expect that he'll be a part of this, this team on the field come fall?
Yeah, Rod's trending in a super positive direction. Feels like he's going to be in a great place just for summer workouts, and be working his way in the fall camp.
How excited are you to see him back on the field?
Oh, so excited, man. I mean, a guy who's went through so much, went through the whole year, sat out and watched him be a leader off the field, and what he did, and how he's been now, and he's felt the best he's ever felt, because he had to have another surgery that really took care of the rest of it, and he's felt the best he's ever felt. He ran, and he's in a good place.
A couple of transfers back there, the Metcalf brothers, along with some other guys that are, we saw more at the end of the year, like Mason, or I'm sorry, Mason Curtis, Brandyn Hillman. What, just in terms of your expectations of talent rotation, how deep is that group? How talented is that group?
It's super talented, yeah. Start with Mason Curtis, I mean, 6-foot-5 safety. You don't see that very much, so a guy that can flip his hips and move and run like him, he's a special talent, and then Brandyn Hillman, arguably, probably gonna be one of the hardest hitters in college football. Sometimes I gotta tell him, hey, make sure you don't hit the guy in the helmet. Save it for the game. Save it for the game.
Well, against Indiana, I mean, that was a great example. Knocked two guys out, but he did it. He did it.
He said he's pretty aware of where his head is and being across the bow and bottom. OK, let's just make sure there's no mistakes in the game. But he's been awesome. Both those guys have really grown over the spring, and then a guy like T.J. Metcalf, brought in experience, but he is super talented. He may be one of the best players on the defense, so excited about where he's at and how he's gonna help this football team.
We've watched Jyaire Hill. We've heard about the talent. We've seen it at times, but it's all about consistency. It's about being available. What have you seen from him this spring?
Confident. Super confident. Super confident in his abilities and definitely grown as a player. Him and then Zeke on the other side. Zeke going from nickel to corner to safety. Like, he's just meant to do it all. So, he's been outstanding. You know, Shamari Earls is a young guy we're really excited about. That's really taken off and put himself in position to be a player for us.
When you construct these 15 practices that you just had, and I know we'll talk about the quarterback, so this will be our transition to the offense, but was there a time where you told Wink, hey, let's hold back just a little bit, or was it full go and it's baptism by fire for this offense?
We built up. We definitely built up in the first few practices of, you know, base install and doing different things and toning down a little bit to make sure, not only for the offense, but really for the defensive guys too, because we're so young of those guys learning the whole defense and even the new guys, learning the defense, the whys, the what, the when -- things will get called and why we do it and then the plays off of those things, kind of like offense. So, I thought we did a really good job as a whole team and really as a defense doing that.
Well, let's start with the wide receivers. We'll save the best positions for last, which will be obviously offensive line.
That's right.
But, the passing game. And I'll throw some questions at you about Chip Lindsey as well, but wide receivers, got some more height in that room with McCulley and some freshmen. What do you see and do you expect to be more productive in the passing game this year?
Yeah, I mean, I'm excited to see where it goes this summer and fall camp. Feels like we're trending in a really good direction. You know, Donovan McCulley's a guy that's coming and really earned the respect of the team really fast. Didn't take many practices, but a guy that's six-four-and-a-half, six-five, 200 and something pounds that can go get the jump ball. Something we haven't really had since like Nico, you know, so he gives you that ability.
Fred Moore's really stood out. Semaj Morgan's played really well. A guy like Andrew Marsh, a new freshman that's been really good for us. Channing Goodwin's probably taken the biggest leap of anybody in the room and put himself in a position to be a, hey, I could be a starter, I'm going to play a lot of football here. And, we've got a guy with some size with Jamar Browder.
But we got a lot of good players in that room. I'marion Stewart is another guy who's really sparked. So that room, that room's talented and excited to put the pieces together.
What's it been like breaking a new coordinator?
Oh man, it's been awesome. Just because Chip is so opening and welcoming to new different ideas, but hearing the things that he's done in his past, being in the spread element, doing those different things, doing the uptempo, but mixing it in with what we do. So it's been, it's been cool to be able to hear his perspective on things and how he looked at it with different players.
The hiring process for him, I don't think I had a chance to talk to you, definitely not hear about it, but what were some of the reasons why? I mean, you kind of just went through some of them, but what was it that sold you on Chip?
First of all, he wanted to be here. It was a huge emphasis for him and to tell me like, hey, like there's other opportunities, but I want to be at Michigan. I want to help this program be great. So that really sparked because there's always something for somebody that wants to be somewhere and put their all into it. But every person I talked to, very selfless, all about the team, and then his knowledge of the game. And he'd been a coordinator at a high level. He's been a head coach at a high level. He's been a high school head coach. So he's done it. He's had his own room. He's ran it and he's helped me as well.
What have you learned about him as he's put this install, as you've seen him on the field? It's one thing to do an interview and know that a guy wants to be here. A hell of a lot of guys want to be here, but to actually see it in action. What have you seen from him?
You've seen a really smart football coach that knows how to put his players in position to be successful and created some explosive plays that I think we needed for the offense to be successful. Cause, you know, obviously we're a brand of football that knows how to run the ball, and we'll do those things and try to do those things at a high level. But, you know, pushing the ball down the field and adding some little wrinkles in what we do is going to be a huge piece to it.
Bryce Underwood, Jadyn Davis. There's quarterback competition, quarterback development. They're both young guys. How did you see, let's start with Jadyn Davis because he's been here the longest. What did you see from him this spring, and describe his development? What are you looking for him to continue to do?
Yeah, continues to just make those little decisions, the really good decisions, pre-snap and post-snap, you know, whatever the play call is and what it is. But he's definitely done a really good job of developing. His confidence is, you know, he's helped himself with his throwing accuracy and things he's done throughout spring. But just excited to watch him just keep progressing in those things and pushing himself that way.
And then, Bryce, same thing. He's a young guy, he's talented, he's got ability, and obviously he's got the high ranking, but he's still got to work to be great, to be where he wants to be. So all those little things that you got to do to be a great quarterback, it's a lot more than just throwing it down the field. It's processing pre-snap and post-snap. So he's got to continue to work on that.
So many things have changed since you and I were players. And so many things have changed even in the last five years. There's a lot more going on for Bryce, the expectations. How do you, what's the conversations, and how do you handle developing him as a player, but also as a person to handle everything that's going on?
Yeah, I mean, I think that starts with his background, his foundation of his parents, Jay and Beverly, his mom and dad. They're just outstanding people who are very humble, and they make sure he's humble, you know? So that's a huge piece to it too for us is to know the type of kid he is already and what his foundation is. So that's huge.
But also just telling him like, look, dude, you're a kid, like you got to go have fun. Don't put the pressure on yourself because there's plenty of it outside there on you. So you make a mistake, which you're going to make. Don't think you're going to be perfect. And I think once you make a mistake, fix it, move on, and then just try to be better that next rep.
I know Mikey Keene wasn't able to practice this spring. When do you expect him to be available? And looking at the fall, when do you want to be able to make a decision on who's your starter's going to be?
Yeah, he'll be available full, I mean, he's throwing right now. He'll be full-go, available in June. So he'll be able to do everything with the team, workouts, throws, everything. And then, as far as fall camp, I think there's just a feeling you kind of know where the team is, they're with somebody, and they're grasped by somebody. And obviously they've made all the throws, they've met the reads, the completions, but they kind of become the leader of the team. You know, we always talk about the offensive line running the team, but someone's got to lead it. And you'll know at some point who that person is.
Tight ends. You lose Colston Loveland, but we saw a lot of Hogan Hansen in the bowl game. We saw a number of different tight ends. Where do you see that position?
Yeah, I mean, obviously losing Colston, he's one of those guys you don't get, you get once in a while, you know? So we're super excited for him and his future, but feel good about that room. Start with Max Bredeson. Obviously he's not the pass catcher, even though he's got good hands. People don't think he does, but we saw him catch a couple. Yeah, he's the neighborhood head thumper. And he takes pride in that, and he's the captain of the team. And he's just been outstanding. Him and Marlin Klein. Marlin's really taken the next step in his development as a tight end. So feel good about him, as well as Hogan.
And then, the guy that really took the next step was Jalen Hoffman. You know, Jalen Hoffman's a guy we've seen flashes. We kind of knew he had the talent, but to watch him in that game, and it just not really fazed him. He's done that all spring. So I feel like we're in a really good place with that room. With the back and to all the other guys, as well.
Justice Haynes comes in as a transfer. You got Jordan Marshall, and we saw a number of other guys get opportunities in the spring game. But your lead two backs, what did you see from them, and your expectations of the run game going into fall?
Yeah, I feel like it's gonna be explosive and physical. Justice reminds me, his running style, a little bit of Blake. I think he's a little wider, a little bigger than Blake is. But, he's got a lot of shoes to fill, big shoes to fill if he's gonna play like Blake, because Blake was a legend here. But, running style's similar, too, but a tough kid, man. Runs physical, runs hard, but has that breakaway speed to take it to the house. And Jordan's that really -- you say lightning, thunder, and lightning. They're kind of a mix of both of them. But, Jordan's more of the I'm gonna stick it, cram it right downhill, and be physical, and try to run you over. And it's gonna be fun to watch them both.
We saw Blake back as one of the head coaches. And I saw him running around with the headphones on. Did you listen in?
No, I didn't listen, but I heard some conversation. It was funny, but he had khakis and cleats on, too.
So, it was outstanding.
He was playing the whole part. Oh, yeah, it was outstanding.
And then, now let's talk about that offensive line. Where is the development? I know you had mentioned there was a couple of guys after the game that you thought were starter guys. How do you -- you're developing an offensive line. Walk us through the process again.
Yeah, I think, first of all, you have a depth chart that you have day one, these guys go out. But I think every day there has to be competition. So, even those guys that are starters, they gotta be pushed by people, whether it's the guy that's right behind them, or the guy, if I'm playing right tackle, maybe it's the guy that's playing left tackle, because he might be the next best guy, and maybe you flip him over.
So, it's gonna be continuous competition, not only in fall camp, but in the summer. Everything they do, they're gonna compete, and to make sure we see who the best five are. And ultimately, you want 10 guys to be able to help you go run and go win championships.
I know we saw Evan Link flip over during the bowl game to the left side. What was the thought process of putting Sprague at right, and then moving Link over to left tackle?
Yeah, just putting the best guys out there. We always thought Sprague, highly-recruited guy, but had a lot of talent and back healthy. He had a little bit of a knee injury early, earlier on, and that he was recovering from an ACL in high school, and he was getting back to that, feeling good. And once he felt healthy, you saw, like, OK, this dude's really, really good. So, thought that he was mentally ready to go on there, and really didn't phase him. As soon as we told him he's starting, he's like, OK, cool. I'm like, OK, great, this is a true freshman starting against Alabama, and he doesn't even care. So, felt like we invested in the time in him, and he deserved it, and he went out there and did a heck of a job, and I think he's put himself in a position to be that guy for the future.
What'd you see from Nathan Efobi, getting some run at right guard there?
Yeah, I thought he's probably as improved as anybody on the O-line, and I think that he's finally taking this, it's starting to click for him. The physicality part, the mental piece was the biggest piece for him. It wasn't the strength, it was more the mental, so it was good to see him have some success.
No. 1 overall draft pick, Babalola. What, everybody is always amazed at when big, talented, five-star guys come in here, they expect him to come in and play right away, and he may have that opportunity, but what have you seen him, how have you seen him grow through these 15 practices?
Probably one of the smartest human beings besides Grant Newsome that I've ever met in my life. We call him Newsome Jr., because they're, I mean, he was a direct admit to Ross Business School, so that takes him intelligent, but the kid is very cognizant of what he's doing, doesn't make the same mistake twice, and from a physical standpoint, he's still growing. I mean, he's already -- I think he came here about 280, he's about 305-310 now, and he's 6-5, 6-6, but he's a basketball background, so he's got great feet, great balance, and great flexibility, and he's surprisingly strong. So he's a guy that's gonna be competing for that left tackle spot in the fall, and we're excited about it.
I do wanna ask you this, because as we sit here right now, transfer portal's open, and Brian and I were doing a show last week, and in the middle of it, guys are entering the portal. How difficult of a time is this for you now? One of guys where it hasn't worked out here, they're leaving, but also then trying to fill those and dip into the transfer portal. How much do you expect to be active in the portal?
Yeah, I think you always have to have your ears to the ground in the transfer portal, because it's just part of it. We don't wanna live in it, but you definitely have to use it to supplement your roster, to fill some holes, whether it's depth, needs, or it's we need somebody to compete to help start, so those are pieces we're always gonna use, and then as far as guys, there's guys that are gonna leave based on, hey, it's attrition, there's guys that are here that I don't think I'm gonna play, and there's guys that are, then the other factors that we're dealing with, right? It's the financial piece that really isn't the control of the players, it's more the agents and all those outside factors that you have to deal with in college football now, so.
Did you ever think you'd have to deal with agents?
No. On a daily basis? Not on a daily basis, no, that's why I hired Sean Magee, so he handles it, but it's something you just have to work with and work through, so you gotta be able to adjust to it and adapt.
Speaking of the financial side of things as well, I think one of the great travesties is that we may lose walk-ons, and you may have to have conversations with guys that no one wants to have. Have you had to have some of those, like, hey, if this happens, this is the route we have to go? What have those conversations been like, or how do you plan on handling that?
Yeah, I mean, I just try to be very transparent with everybody, you know, like, hey, this is exactly where we're at, you know, if there's a 105 and if that happens, you can come into camp, but if we have to cut, get to the game week, then you can't be on the 105, which is an awful thing to have to say, and you never want to do that. And I don't agree with it, but that's where we're at. So, I just want to be open and transparent for them that if they have the opportunity to go find somewhere else to play that they can, but would love to keep around.
Have you thought at all about what Week 2 will be like? I know it was a long time between now and then.
Not too deep, not too deep, yeah. We'll get there, and I'll dive into that in the summertime.
Is there a restaurant you want to hit in Norman?
Probably not. No, the hotel pre-game meal, and I won't be leaving my room. So, I'll be in the meeting rooms, and I'll be in my room getting ready for the game.
All right, the last thing, when you look at this off-season, where does this team, to become a championship-level team, what do you expect from them to do this off-season, this summer?
Yeah, I mean, pretty simple, do the little things extraordinarily well. Just attack every little thing, be on time for everything, make sure the locker room is clean, attack the weight room, because they love football, they love the playbook, they love doing all that stuff, but it's all the little things, and if we do that, we'll be in a great place.
When you watch, or if you see any of these predictions about what's gonna happen on Thursday night, the draft, and you read the evaluations of your players, what goes through your mind as to, OK, this is accurate, this is total BS?
That everybody has their opinion, and I only trust my own, so like, some of them are like, yeah, yeah, but the great thing is the head coaches and the GMs, they'll just call us, and the ones that respect us -- which is all of them in the NFL -- they'll just call us and ask us, 'Hey, what do you think of this guy? What do you think of this guy?' I had three conversations yesterday with head coaches and GMs about all of our guys that are probably gonna get drafted in the first round, and just to understand and hear them and hear their feedback on what they think, that's what really matters.
Where are you gonna watch the draft?
I don't know yet. You know, I haven't even planned it yet. I've got meetings with our players and probably catch the beginning of the year, and then might be probably heading home after that.