Michigan has a good mix of new and returning players that should factor into the cornerback rotation in 2025. One of those guys, freshman Shamari Earls, is making an impression on both offensive and defensive coaches this spring:
Michigan’s secondary went through some trials and tribulations last season. Something that was supposed to be a strength turned out to be somewhat disappointing in the first half of the year, as inconsistent play from younger and inexperienced players led to opposing passing attacks finding success.
With Will Johnson headed to the NFL, there are even more snaps to go around in 2025. The cornerback rotation will have some new names, but defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan is pleased with how things are progressing so far this spring.
One of the hotter names this offseason is true freshman Shamari Earls, a former Georgia commit and highly-touted four-star recruit. With Johnson’s departing star power, the hope is Earls can eventually rise to that level. While it might be far-fetched to expect great play immediately, Earls still brings plenty of intrigue as an early enrollee and has made a good impression so far.
“(Earls) is asking all the right questions, trying to get better each and every day,” Morgan said.
Earls is still getting back into the swing of playing after missing much of his senior season with an injury. At 6-foot-2 and 203 pounds, he is learning to use his size at the college level.
“Shamari is a tall long guy … kind of like Bambi sometimes because he’s just so long and he has to figure it out, but I’m really excited about him,” Morgan said.
Wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy has also been impressed by what he’s seen from Earls so far, specifically noting his length as an asset.
“(One guy) I mentioned to coach Morgan the other day was Shamari Earls, the freshman from Virginia,” Bellamy said. “He’s a long corner, 6-2 corner, very skilled. Those type of body types — built a little longer than Will Johnson — those guys give receivers problems just because if you beat them initially, they can recover with their length and athleticism, and he’s a kid that (we’re) expecting big things from. Obviously his recruitment, everybody in the nation wanted him and you can see why. I think he’s gonna be a really good player.”
While there still might be room for Earls to grow, there’s little doubt he has the highest ceiling of any corner on Michigan’s roster thanks to his physical tools. If he’s able to put things together throughout the spring and summer, he could be a big help in the fall.
Transfer CB on a similar path to Aamir Hall, Josh Wallace
Earls isn’t the only newcomer that will be looking to help out Michigan’s secondary this year, as Caleb Anderson came over from Louisiana in the transfer portal. Anderson hasn’t been the most productive player throughout his career, but as a sixth-year senior, he’s still got plenty of experience under his belt. Furthermore, his familiarity with Morgan, a former coach at Louisiana, is a plus.
Morgan acknowledged that while Anderson still has room to grow, there will still be a role for him on this team.
“He’s not the finished product. He still needs to get better,” Morgan said.
When discussing Anderson, Morgan compared him to a Josh Wallace and Aamir Hall, a pair of upperclassman transfers from small schools that saw their roles increase throughout their lone years at Michigan. Based on Morgan’s comments, it would appear the coaching staff is hoping for Anderson to follow a similar trajectory.
“It took him little bit, but then at the end of the year for Aamir, he played. Without Aamir we wouldn’t finish the season the way he did,” Morgan said.
In addition to the newcomers, Morgan is relying on some returning players to take some steps forward in their development. A good candidate to do so is junior Jyaire Hill, a player that battled some inconsistency last year. Hill had a strong start to the season, but his tackling woes and lack of eye discipline plagued him down the stretch. According to Morgan, Hill appears to be getting back on the right track this spring.
“He’s just growing up, trying to be a leader, trying to be focused. It’s his time to take it to the next step,” Morgan said. “He’s moving in the right direction.”
Regardless of the experience and levels of past production, Michigan has no shortage of options at corner in 2025. Young guys like Earls and sophomore Jo’Ziah Edmond could be in for breakout seasons, while returning guys like Hill and senior Zeke Berry will look to lock down the two starting spots. Morgan and the defensive coaching staff should be able to mix and match the traits they like to find effective combinations that will get the Wolverines back to stifling opposing passing attacks.