Michigan Football Week 3 Spring Practice Report
Spring practice is rolling along in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where uncertainty hardly describes the Michigan football program.
A few positions aren't quite set, but the Wolverines are mostly solidifying starting roles and finding a couple of rotational pieces. Although the story will change next season, it's an encouraging theme for 2016.
Most importantly for Michigan, it seemingly has avoided bad surprises. The team certainly hopes that will continue during the final weeks of spring ball.
Filling an Underrated, Important Void
A primary goal of every Jim Harbaugh-coached team is to pound the football. That responsibility isn't limited to offensive linemen, however.
Jake Butt elected to return for his senior season, so the Wolverines kept their No. 1 tight end. He won't leave the field often. But in two-tight end sets, A.J. Williams will no longer be jogging onto the field. Plus, Khalid Hill moved to H-back.
Consequently, the clubhouse leader is Ian Bunting, who Josh Henschke of Scout believes had a couple of productive months in the weight room.
Listed at 6'7" and 252 pounds, the redshirt sophomore definitely fits the mold of a powerful run-blocker. Still, while Bunting appeared in nine contests last season, he has limited game experience.
Bunting's primary competition includes Tyrone Wheatley Jr. and converted quarterback Zach Gentry. Neither player has officially recorded a snap.
There's hope Bunting will seamlessly step in, but that's not a guarantee.
Settling the Secondary
The only departing senior from the defensive backfield is Jarrod Wilson, but he wasn't simply a multiyear starter. Wilson was the leader of the secondary, making calls and checks whenever necessary.
Since Jabrill Peppers has shifted to linebacker, the responsibility to replace him falls squarely on Dymonte Thomas and Delano Hill. They split time at strong safety last season, and Thomas will slide over to fill Wilson's vacated spot.
According to Angelique S. Chengelis of the Detroit News, Thomas is embracing the challenge of leading the defense from his new position.
"Me and Delano are excited about that because it's up to us, we know it's our defense, and it's great getting people lined up, communicating. It's just a beautiful thing."
Thomas will attempt to replace Wilson and his 61 tackles. Combined, Thomas and Hill notched 70 total stops last year.
Keeping Up with the Quarterbacks
Ideally, a program leaves spring practice with a clear-cut No. 1 quarterback. That hasn't been the expectation for Michigan in 2016, and not much has changed.
"Anybody that wants to edge ahead certainly can," passing game coordinator Jedd Fisch said, per Nick Baumgardner of MLive. "I tell them that all the time. Anybody that wants to do that or can do that, please feel free. But, we're not going to force it.
"And we're not going to, right now, we have not decided that we're going to just say 'OK, you're it.'"
Baumgardner notes Fisch added that John O'Korn—who is widely considered the favorite—must be more consistent, and Shane Morris needs to improve his decision-making ability, especially choosing the right velocity for a throw.
Wilton Speight, Brandon Peters and Alex Malzone remain in the competition, so a resolution might not come until the regular-season opener for the second straight year.
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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