Michigan ready for changeover to Sherrone Moore; analyst outlines hurdles

According to Shaw, fans will be disappointed when a beloved head coach, who was also an alumnus, moves for a new job. But I believe most fans were expecting that to some extent. Harbaugh had interviewed for NFL roles for the previous two years, and coming off a national championship win and about to lose 17 starters, it made perfect sense for Harbaugh to make the move now. Fans were disappointed, but not surprised.

“There is some angst and chatter that Michigan could or should have been more amenable and proactive in negotiations for Harbaugh’s extension — Michigan was prepared to make him the highest-paid coach in college football, but was reportedly slow to respond to Harbaugh’s requests for NCAA protections and for-cause firings. Still, I believe most fans are aware that Harbaugh desired the one thing Michigan could not provide: a chance to win the Super Bowl.

“Most Michigan fans were pleased with Moore’s quick promotion (less than 48 hours). Harbaugh and Michigan players have endorsed him as the next head coach, so his being the sole candidate the Wolverines interviewed communicated a message of unity. Furthermore, Michigan supporters were unimpressed with the other outside candidates whose names were linked to the job, and Moore is a fantastic cultural match who can provide the benefits of continuity in an era of college football when that is more important than ever.

“There’s still a lot of sadness among Michigan fans.” The Wolverines won the Rose Bowl and the national championship in January, but by the end of the month, it appears that every important component of both victories has been sold to the NFL.”

According to Shaw, Moore’s Michigan teams will likely be comparable to Harbaugh’s. Moore has long been renowned in Ann Arbor as a high-standards coach who enjoys physical activity. His catchphrase is ‘SMASH,’ and Michigan’s offensive linemen and tight ends have benefited from his teaching. That was Michigan’s strategy under Harbaugh, so the identity of both the offense and the team will probably remain intact.

“Recruitment is one area where things could alter. Whereas Harbaugh worked as an NFL assistant for one year before becoming a head coach, Moore worked his way up the college ranks, knowing the ins and outs of recruiting from a general manager to a positional coach to today. As a result, Moore has a larger network of longstanding college workers, high school coaches, and camp directors, and he understands the complexities of the grind better than Harbaugh did.

Moore will most likely err on the side of doing what Harbaugh would do, and Michigan cannot change the type of players it recruits, but I believe Michigan could work harder on recruiting and prioritize it more when it comes to staff hires and money allocation.

“I also believe that, although Harbaugh spent decades as a big name and learned to despise the media circus that surrounded him, Moore is more personable but receives less national attention, which will follow him and the program so closely. I don’t anticipate Michigan to open up practices to the media or significantly boost press access, but I wonder if Moore tries to use his likability to improve the Wolverines’ national profile, which can help in recruiting.”

According to Shaw, making the 12-team college football playoff and fighting for the Big Ten championship is considered a’successful’ year one under Moore, both within the program and among fans. Michigan has lost a lot of talent, but it still has likely preseason All-American candidates in Will Johnson, Mason Graham, and Colston Loveland, as well as Rod Moore, Donovan Edwards, and Kenneth Grant, who have all made big plays on big platforms in the last two years. Michigan aims to have the best defense in the country next season, keeping them competitive in all games.

Michigan also does not believe the drop-off in the run game will be as stark as some believe. Even after losing its top six offensive linemen and Blake Corum, Michigan is expected to have an offensive line with more than 50 career starts and a running back (Edwards) with more than 2,300 scrimmage yards.

“But from the outside, I think it’s difficult to forecast Michigan going 12-0 again without further proof of the Wolverines’ passing game. Michigan was not a pass-first offense, yet it finished 2023 15th in yards per pass attempt and 8th in quarterback efficiency rating. That offensive balance paid off throughout the season, with Michigan’s in-house quarterback hopefuls completing only four passes in 15 games.

“As a result, with some expected growing pains along the offensive line and at wide receiver, as well as a more difficult schedule, I would now pencil Michigan in for a 10-2 season, with Texas, Oregon, and Ohio State being the three largest swing games. The Michigan Wolverines may improve with transfer portal acquisitions or breakout performances in the spring, but they are still a few pieces away from becoming a credible national title contender.

Shaw: “I’ll have a better answer by the end of April, as this is simply the biggest wild-card position on Michigan’s roster.” The Wolverines still see potential in rising redshirt sophomores Jayden Denegal and Alex Orji, but Denegal is 4-for-5 passing in two seasons and Orji is 1-for-1 for five yards. Although both quarterbacks have good arms and are plus-athletes (Orji was Michigan’s best overall athlete according to 15 key performance measures last offseason), there is insufficient evidence to establish realistic expectations for either.

We also can’t count out Jadyn Davis, the Wolverines’ top quarterback target in the 2024 class and a standout high school athlete. He had a lot of practices as an early enrollee prior to the Rose Bowl and title game, and he is regarded as a future starter, but I don’t believe he is projected to be Michigan’s starter at this time.

“It’s a sensitive issue, as many supporters want to see what the in-house prospects can do, but it appears that the Wolverines will seek hard in the transfer portal in spring to acquire a quarterback with more experience. Recruiting for the role was challenging in December due to JJ McCarthy’s uncertainty about his future and Michigan’s other priorities. However, one of the three candidates would need to make a strong impression this spring to avoid being considered in the portal.

According to Shaw, the Wolverines face many questions heading into the 2024 season, but few are related to defense. Up front, Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant are arguably two of the top five or six defensive tackles entering next season, as both are highly regarded by coaches and scouts following successful 2023 seasons. Last season, Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore were effective co-starters at the edge, and they were quite productive (72 combined tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 55 quarterback pressures). Michigan loses its starting inside linebackers, but Ernest Hausmann and Maryland transfer Jaishawn Barham are a well-experienced combo who have played extensively in the Big Ten over the last two seasons.

“The secondary will need to replace Mike Sainristil and Josh Wallace, but Will Johnson, Rod Moore, Makari Paige, and Keon Sabb are a fairly star-studded starting lineup. Barring a transfer, I expect Moore to take over Sainristil’s nickel role, with Michigan holding an open competition for the second cornerback spot.

“If you ask Michigan’s coaches, they have ten starter-caliber kids who may be ready to play right now. This spring’s objective will be to round out the rotation, which was a strength last year. There is size and skill in every position, but less experience than a year ago. Also a challenge: We expect defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to accompany Harbaugh to the NFL, so finding a replacement coordinator who can continue Michigan’s success is high on Sherrone Moore’s priority list.”

Shaw says, “I do.” I believe the Wolverines’ playoff hopes and uncertainty about NFL Draft decisions (and head coaching, really) hampered their portal pursuits during the first portal window. Barham and offensive lineman Josh Priebe (Northwestern) are two starter-caliber acquisitions, but I would be astonished if those were the Wolverines’ only additions this offseason.

“I mentioned Michigan’s need for a quarterback earlier, but wide receiver will also be a critical position of need. Michigan’s returning wide receivers had only 42 receptions and 450 yards in 15 games last autumn. The team is looking for an outside receiver, with walk-on Peyton O’Leary being the only projected two-deep receiver taller than 6-foot-1 entering the spring.

“Myles Hinton (five starts in 2023, 21 career starts) returns as offensive tackle, but I believe there is need for another offensive lineman. At tight end, Michigan keeps Loveland but loses AJ Barner (620 offensive snaps in 2023).

“On defense, Michigan would heavily recruit any experienced nickel or cornerback, with room for a starter-caliber linebacker or edge rusher to fill in at those positions. The final two positions may be more ‘wants’ on the transfer portal, whereas quarterback and receiver may be ‘needs.'”

According to Shaw, Michigan’s quarterback, Davis, and running back, Jordan Marshall, may play a role in the first year due to their excellent senior seasons and less established roles. I’d also keep a watch on tight ends Brady Prieskorn and Hogan Hansen, whom Michigan believes were underappreciated during the recruiting process. Both were early enrollees.

“The Wolverines don’t always have year-one impact players on defense, but a few I would keep an eye on this offseason would be linebacker Jeremiah Beasley, tackle Deyvid Palepale, cornerback Jo’Ziah Edmond and athlete Jaden Smith as potential rotation guys.”