Michigan Football: 5 Things We Learned About the Wolverines This Spring

To say the least, the spring was productive for the Michigan Wolverines, who just recently made it through their first 15 practices and April exhibition under new coach Jim Harbaugh.

Fresh off of a four-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers, Harbaugh, who directed the team to a pair of NFC West titles and a Super Bowl appearance, has returned to his homeland to rekindle the soul and spirit that once made Saturdays in Ann Arbor more like going to church and less like attending an athletic event.

It’s been a long time since Michigan football felt like Michigan football. It’s clear that he’s aiming for a quick turnaround.

Due to a strong spring game performance, the Wolverines learned that Jabrill Peppers will most likely be worth the wait. During the scrimmage, the 6’1”, 205-pound athlete/defensive back extraordinaire made several nice plays on passes and even unleashed a couple of tackles. 

He can contribute quality reps this fall, which has actually been known since the days of his recruitment.

Once the secondary is polished, D.J. Durkin’s defense will be a machine this fall. He already has a formidable defensive line and good crop of linebackers; he just needs his defensive backs to play up to potential, which is something they didn’t do this past season.

Michigan football won’t be “back” until Harbaugh has the team consistently competing for titles and beating rivals Michigan State and Ohio State. But if nothing else, this spring taught the Wolverines that more is on the way—they will just have to remain patient as Harbaugh’s staff implements the new program.

Now that some of the obvious ones are out of the way, this slideshow will dive deeper into some of the themes and lessons picked up through Harbaugh’s first spring with the Wolverines.

Harbaugh's Focus Is on Football

Had enough Harbaugh? If not, prepare for a jam-packed summer of more Jim. It’d be wonderful if it were all football-related.

But it probably won’t be. There will probably be two versions of Jim Harbaugh portrayed by the media: Football Jim and Off-His-Rocker Jim.

Sadly, the latter will probably get more attention, as the actual game doesn’t seem to appeal to the national media at large.

There is nothing wrong with recognizing Harbaugh’s heroic, storied or otherwise notable accomplishments. It’s OK to celebrate them, too. He deserves praise and pats on the back—he’s done a great job everywhere he’s coached and has demonstrated a strong commitment to doing the same at Michigan.

That should be the focus, not how many times he called his wife to get a date. If it’s not about his plans to rebuild, it’s just click-bait.

In today’s 24-hour, seven-day cycle, the too-much-information type of details are difficult to avoid. Plus, it’s the offseason, so there isn’t much new to write about. However, even during the season, there were headlines about the one time he poured Gatorade on his cereal and how he quickly devoured a slice of pizza at a basketball game.

Both instances added to the quirky legend that has become “Harbs.”

Yes, he’s a unique person with an even more unique way of doing things. Bu he’s not the only guy in the world who’s improvised at breakfast time. He’s definitely not the only guy to inhale a slice of pizza, either. He’s a normal guy with normal values who does extraordinary things in coaching. Why can’t he be labeled as such? Everyone is trying to peg him as a lunatic.

This narrative of “crazy old Jim Harbaugh” needs to stop.

End of rant.

Now on to the things that really matter, like how Harbaugh’s football renegade style benefits the Wolverines. By simply taking advantage of the Big Ten’s rule regarding satellite camps, Harbaugh plans to set up shop in June and hold a clinic in Prattville, Alabama, otherwise known as Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban’s backyard.  

The event will likely increase Michigan’s presence in the south and attract a new, untapped base of recruits.

The SEC and ACC aren’t allowed to travel state-to-state in such a manner, and Saban isn’t thrilled about Harbaugh’s pending arrival.

"If we're all going to travel all over the country to have satellite camps, you know, how ridiculous is that?” Saban said, per Mike Herndon of AL.com. "I mean we're not allowed to go to all-star games, but now we're going to have satellite camps all over the country. So it doesn't really make sense."

Harbaugh’s recruiting tactics deserve mention; he’s already secured six commitments for 2016, with four pledging in the past month: 4-star quarterback Brandon Peters, 4-star running back Matt Falcon, 3-star linebacker David Reese and 3-star fullback Kingston Davis.

Davis just so happens to be from Prattville. Keith Washington, a 3-star 2015 commit, is also from Prattville. Four of the Wolverines’ remaining targets for 2016 are from Alabama.

There should be plenty of recruiting topics this summer. Hopefully, those will dominate the Web, not some loopy tale about how Harbaugh once used a shoelace as a belt or used motor oil as lotion. That angle has been worn to bits.

Thanks for the Reminder...

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Spring reminded Michigan about its QB woes.

Until later this summer, the quarterback situation will remain the same at Michigan: Shane Morris is the No. 1 guy until someone says otherwise.

Jake Rudock, a graduate transfer from Iowa, is set to arrive in May. Zach Gentry, a 4-star freshman, sets foot on campus later this summer. Once camp starts, they’ll likely each contend with Morris for the top role. Don’t discount Gentry, but due to experience and circumstances, Rudock, who probably isn’t burning his final year in Ann Arbor to be a cheerleader, seems like the logical favorite to win the starting job come opening day.

Alex Malzone has a way to go before he’s ready to start for the Wolverines. The early-enrollee freshman wasn’t sharp during the spring game. However, he could be a different player come fall. By then, the extra semester should have helped ease his transition period.

Due to an unspecified injury, Wilton Speight, a 6’6”, 234-pound redshirt freshman, didn’t participate in the spring game. He needs to recover and re-emerge or he’ll be pushed toward the bottom of the depth chart. There hasn’t been a lot of chatter surrounding the Virginia native, but he’s certainly worthy of a look come fall.

Spring taught the Wolverines that the quarterback position is more important than ever—and Michigan can’t afford another disappointment under center. During spring availability, passing game coordinator Jedd Fisch and offensive coordinator Tim Drevno said the job was “wide open.”

Interpret that as you will.

Relentless Pursuit of Talent

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Who said Jim Harbaugh doesn't like to recruit?!

As mentioned earlier, Harbaugh’s quick start to recruiting deserves attention. On Dec. 30, he took over control and promptly hit the recruiting trail.

By securing eight recruits during his first month, he helped salvage Michigan’s 2015 class, which was supposed to be one of mega proportions before disintegrating to smithereens prior to and during the 2014 season.

Along with the rest of the class, those eight commits have now become building blocks for future pieces. Harbaugh already has extended 48 offers to 2017 prospects. On April 17, Harbaugh landed Carter Dunaway of Birmingham Brother Rice. The 3-star tight end is the No. 8-ranked sophomore in Michigan.

So far, Ohio State has six commits for 2017 and sits at No. 1 in 247Sports’ rankings. But it’s really early. At No. 16 overall, Michigan is the only other school in the Big Ten with a committed sophomore. It’s evident that Harbaugh plans to get to guys early and often.

Former coach Brady Hoke established a great base. He even helped link Michigan to Paramus Catholic, which has produced Jabrill Peppers and Juwann Bushell-Beatty in recent classes. That link could help the Wolverines get 5-star defensive tackle Rashan Gary, who is viewed as the No. 1 recruit of 2016.

Sit back and enjoy the ride, Michigan fan. Recruiting will be just as exciting with Harbaugh, if not more so, than it was with Hoke.

Pressure Is Mounting

Tony Ding/Associated Press

Immediate and noticeable changes are expected this fall.

It doesn’t always get talked about, but there is a significant amount of pressure on Harbaugh’s staff. Of course, that’s all part of the job. Every new staff has pressure to outperform the prior guys. That’s how the business works.

Michigan hasn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Fitzgerald Toussaint broke loose for 1,064 in 2011. That’s three full seasons without a noteworthy ball-carrier in the backfield. Three too long, really. Who’s going to remedy the situation?

Why, it’s none other than Michigan’s fifth-leading career rusher, running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley. During availability, the Wolverines legend often said that he didn’t feel any pressure to create Tyrone 2.0. Instead, he’s encouraging players to “find themselves” rather than try to be someone else, which sounds great.

Admitted or not, there has to be an immense amount of pressure on both sides. It’d be logical to assume that juniors Derrick Green and De’Veon Smith feel some type of added motivation now that they’re being coached by a guy whose image is synonymous with Wolverines glory.

Wheatley and the running backs shouldn’t be the only ones who feel like they have to get it done this fall.

Imagine how secondary coaches Greg Jackson and Michael Zordich feel. They’re stepping into a loaded, ready-made defensive backfield that’s complete with Jabrill Peppers and Jourdan Lewis, two guys who could start anywhere.

Blake Countess, Channing Stribling and Dymonte Thomas are also available for Jackson and Zordich to use as they see fit. Michigan’s safeties and corners have always been a strength, they just haven’t always realized that on game day.

Careless mistakes, some of which were committed by veterans such as Countess, plagued an otherwise good group of players. In 2013, the Wolverines had 17 interceptions, the second-most in the Big Ten. In 2014, Lewis had the secondary's only two picks. There is a great need for the defensive backs to perform this fall. 

There is pressure on D.J. Durkin, who’s joining the guy who built the living, breathing Michigan defense that’s consistently placed among the top 15 in the nation. In 2014, it was No. 7, one spot better than Michigan State, which has become famous for defense of late.

When it comes to offensive progression, be patient. When it comes to defense, expect nothing short of instant success.

Unfamiliar Transfer Buzz

Transfer talks heated up once Harbaugh came to town. Those talks have gone both ways. Some have wanted to join Michigan, while others have made plans to continue elsewhere. 

Instead of sticking around, players such as linebacker Michael Ferns, running back Justice Hayes, quarterback Russell Bellomy and offensive lineman Kyle Bosch left the program. Jack Miller, the team’s starting center, quit the team after four spring practices.

Plus there were talks of Wayne Lyons, a Stanford senior who’s on his way to shore up the secondary. Jake Rudock. Blake O’Neill, a punter from Australia. Former Houston quarterback John O'Korn joins in 2016. 

Transfer talk can get sticky, so it's best to tread lightly. But given the circumstances and brief recent history, don’t be floored to see a few more guys join and/or leave the program. It'd be foolish to think otherwise. 

Looking back at spring, Harbaugh proved that he’s all about getting things as right as possible. He also proved that he’s intent on progression, which should be the focus heading into the summer, not what he likes on his sandwich.

Follow Bleacher Report's Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference, press release or other media availability. Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.