After yesterday’s game against Oregon, the redshirts of two more Michigan true freshmen have officially been burned:
The Michigan Wolverines played hard against Oregon, but couldn’t pull off the upset despite a few chances. While there’s a lot to critique, you can get excited about some of the true freshmen we’re seeing on the field this season.
Defensive back Mason Curtis had a career-high in tackles (three) against the Ducks. We’ve seen him on the field for some of Michigan’s bigger games, but the coaching staff decided to burn his redshirt this week and gave him significant snaps on the defensive side of the ball. With the injuries in the secondary, Curtis was on the field for some crucial downs and even had a tackle for loss late in the game. According to Pro Football Focus, he was one of the defense’s highest-graded defensive players this week with a 69.5 overall grade.
Here’s who’s had a chance to play as a true freshman this season. An asterisk (*) indicates they saw playing time against Oregon:
- RB Jordan Marshall (1 game)
- OL Andrew Sprague (1 game)
- OL Jake Guarnera (4 games)
- TE Hogan Hansen (7 games)*
- LB Cole Sullivan (8 games)*
- EDGE Dominic Nichols (4 games)
- DL Manuel Beigel (1 game)
- DB Mason Curtis (5 games)*
- DB Jo’Ziah Edmond (5 games)*
- DB Jacob Oden (2 games)*
The Wolverines also decided to burn cornerback Jo’Ziah Edmond’s redshirt on Saturday. He was on the field for 12 snaps against Oregon. He was targeted one time but didn’t give up the catch. He also had some snaps on special teams.
Linebacker Cole Sullivan continues to see snaps on special teams. The coaching staff has said a lot about him as a player, but there’s an argument to be made that linebacker is the position where they have the most depth. That makes it difficult to get a freshman on the field for defensive snaps, but it’s a good sign they’re putting him on the field so regularly.
Tight end Hogan Hansen was targeted a few times but didn’t do much. Lastly, defensive back Jacob Oden also got in this game on special teams and would have to play in the rest of Michigan’s three games this year to burn his redshirt.
The Wolverines head on the road next weekend to take on the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers .