Rookie star should be a future nickel in Michigan football

admin | April 13, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Zeke Berry has been getting snaps as the nickel defender and he makes a ton of sense there for Michigan football.

I’ve always been a big fan of Michigan football defensive back Zeke Berry. In fact, when Rod Moore was injured, Berry’s name was the first that came to mind.

Berry may not be on the same level as Rod Moore, who I believe is one of the top safeties in college football. If he had entered the 2024 NFL draft, I believe he would have been one of the greatest safeties in the class. Moore didn’t and will most likely miss the entire season.

That puts Michigan football in need of a defensive back or two to step up, and Berry is among them. Moore was considered for a slot position, similar to where Mike Sainristil played previous season.

That idea is no longer viable. Ja’Den McBurrows has also played on the outside. Jyaire Hill and D.J. Waller have also made significant contributions this spring. However, Berry was one of the players mentioned by secondary coach Lamar Morgan.

“A guy that has really stepped up is Zeke Berry,” Morgan added. “He will be a unique player for us. He’s still young and maturing, yet he possesses many of those characteristics.

Zeke Berry could be Michigan football nickel

Berry is 5-foot-11 and weighs 192 pounds. He appeared in 11 games for Michigan football past season, with the majority of his activity coming on special teams. The former four-star prospect is ranked No. 181 overall in the 247 Sports composite rankings. He was even higher in the 247 Sports ranks (65th). He can cover, but Berry is also capable of tackling.

Berry’s play at nickel makes sense given the dearth of depth at cornerback behind Will Johnson. Makari Paige and Quentin Johnson, together with Brandyn Hillman, should be able to keep things under control at safety. Berry could play some snaps there if necessary, but Berry has always felt like a nickel to me.

As Mikey demonstrated last season, it is a valuable position. Basically, a starter, and I would like to see Zeke Berry emerge. He is not Sainristil, but that would be like asking every EDGE player to be Aidan Hutchinson.

Berry is one of the players I was hoping would emerge this spring, and it appears to be happening, which is a promising development for Michigan’s already formidable football defense.