Michigan Football: 3 Position Battles To Watch As Fall Camp Approaches

Michigan begins fall practice on August 2 and there are a few intriguing position battles to watch.

Big Ten Media Days has come and gone and now the focus turns toward Michigan football starting fall camp on August 2. 

The Wolverines return over 80% of their production from a season ago, which means Michigan returns plenty of incumbent starters. However, there are a few position battles to watch as fall camp progresses -- at least one position battle is a major one. 

In this article, I'm going to name my top three position battles to watch starting August 2, and I'll also predict who I think will win the job. 

1. Cornerback

In the hunt: Ja'Den McBurrows, Amorion Walker, and Josh Wallace

Michigan lost DJ Turner and Gemon Green to the NFL, so the Wolverines will need someone to start across from Will Johnson this season. Mike Sainristil returns as the nickel back -- but Jim Harbaugh hasn't ruled out starting Sainristil as the other corner -- either way, the Wolverines need to figure out the other starter.

Michigan brought in Wallace via the transfer portal out of UMass. He was a four-year starter who totaled 140 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three interceptions, and 28 pass breakups. He had a 71.2 coverage grade in 2022 according to PFF. 

McBurrows, who has battled injuries, hasn't played since 2021 when he made two tackles. Walker, a converted wide receiver, played one game last season as a cornerback. Both McBurrows and Walker have plenty of potential, but both are extremely raw. There were glimpses of good and bad during the spring game. 

Michigan also secured Jyaire Hill, Cameron Calhoun, and DJ Waller in the 2023 recruiting class, but none appear ready to start Day 1 for the Wolverines. Myles Pollard, German Green, and Keshaun Harris are also on the roster and will try to compete for playing time. 

Prediction: I think Harbaugh brought Wallace in for a reason. He's a veteran who has played good football. I think Michigan will start Wallace against East Carolina. 

2. Wide Receiver No. 3

In the hunt: Tyler Morris, Darrius Clemons, Peyton O'Leary, Semaj Morgan, Fredrick Moore, and Christian Dixon.

Incumbent starters Cornelius Johnson and Roman Willson return to Michigan for another season and both are expected to play large roles in the passing game in 2023. 

In 2022, Wilson was the primary slot receiver for Michigan. He was lined up there 90.1% of the time. So I would have to guess he will line up there again in 2023 when the Wolverines run out three-wide receiver sets, and Johnson will be outside per usual.

I personally view this as a two-man race between Morris and Clemons. Morris has plenty of hype surrounding him. His teammates and coaches all seem to love him, but he is 5-foot-11 and projects better to play the slot. So unless the Wolverines move Wilson outside, and put Morris inside -- I just don't see him starting in three-wide sets. 

Clemons is a physical specimen standing at 6-foot-3, 214-pounds. When you look at him, he looks like he should be a great Michigan receiver before his career is all said and done. He only saw two targets in 2022 as a true freshman, but having a full season under his belt, his numbers should soar. 

Using instincts here, I like Clemons getting the nod. But I believe Morris and O'Leary will both see plenty of game action and it wouldn't shock me to see Morris become a solid player by the end of the year. 

3. Running Back No. 3

In the hunt: CJ Stokes, Kalel Mullings, Benjamin Hall, and Cole Cabana

Running back No. 3 probably doesn't seem like a big deal to some people, but as we all saw a season ago, one injury can change a lot -- especially for a run-heavy football team. 

Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards are back in Michigan who will be 1A and 1B in 2023, but the Wolverines will have a camp battle for the No. 3 job. 

CJ Stokes, now a sophomore, began the season in 2022 as the No. 3. He was averaging seven-to-eight carries until he fumble the ball against Maryland and then he was used sparingly. Isaiah Gash and Mullings were splitting the No. 3 duties after Stokes became limited. Ultimately, whoever you classified as the third back in '22, that ball carrier would receive six to eight carries a game for Michigan. 

Harbaugh has said he wants to see Michigan become a 50/50 pass-run football team in 2023, but until that happens, we have to assume Michigan will run the ball a ton behind a two-time Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line. 

During the spring game, Hall looked to be the best running back. He led the team with 96 rushing yards. Mike Hart compared him to Hassan Haskins and Hart's former teammate: Kevin Grady. 

It's hard telling who will win the job because Hall, Mullings, and Stokes will all get plenty of reps this fall. But if the spring game was any indication whatsoever, I fully believe Hall will get the nod to get the first carry behind Corum and Edwards. 

Other Battles To Watch:

- Edge group: Only two players can start, but Michigan has four guys that will rotate and get starter downs. Braiden McGregor, Jaylen Harrell, Josaiah Stewart, and Derrick Moore should all play a ton in 2023.

- LB No. 2: Junior Colson is going to be the middle linebacker, but who plays alongside him in two-linebacker sets? Michael Barrett and Nebraska transfer Ernest Hausmann will battle for it. But, like the Edge group, both will see a ton of playing time. 

- Right Tackle: Karsen Barnhart and Trente Jones return. Jones started the season last year, but Barnhart took over and ended the season as the starter. Both will compete there and even Myles Hinton may try to get in on the action. 

- QB No. 2: Jack Tuttle, Davis Warren, and Alex Orji are all hoping to impress in the fall to backup J.J. McCarthy. Tuttle was brought in from Indiana as a veteran who has plenty of experience. 

- K: Michigan signed Adam Samaha during this past recruiting cycle, and it went out and got Louisville transfer, James Turner. Turner has the experience and probably the upper hand.