[Eric Upchurch]

 

Things discussed

• The offensive line, including some optimism around Jalen Mayfield and James Hudson
• Noah Furbush wants to be a pilot in the military
• Tru Wilson taking the No. 3 running back spot
• Injury updates on Tarik Black, Lawrence Marshall and Aubrey Solomon
• More Shea Patterson talk

[After THE JUMP: All that and more!]

Jim, what’s your evaluation of Cesar Ruiz these past few weeks?

 

“Good. Moving well. Continuing to learn all the nuances of playing the center position, well ahead of the curve as far as a young player. Ever since he’s been here, played as a — started as a true freshman, continue his growth. He’s on track to be an outstanding player.”

 

Jim, can you share with us the Tru Wilson story? A guy who comes in, walk-on, who knows what his chances are? What have you seen him do?

 

“Yeah, just tremendous plus, plus, plus across the board. He — recruited, he was gonna be a defensive back and after some weeks, he said he really wanted to concentrate as a running back and we don’t mandate what position he had to play, so he just went over to running back. And then just started climbing the depth chart, ever since that early move from defense to offense. A real inflection point hit right around spring ball — early spring ball — he was getting better and better and really, really running well. Physically running good, through arm tackles … I thought his vision got a lot better in training camp. Really was taking coaching early through training camp, and then he hit another inflection point where he just went straight up. Those two times in the year really stand out — early spring ball and eight, nine days into training camp, and yeah, he’s really seeing things well. He’s improving — he’s not running into the thick of the defender anymore. He’s able to see the hole and he’s able to go for the soft shoulder of the defender, rather than take him right down the middle. His pass protection is very good. Yeah, it’s all been good. Continuing to improve. A team favorite. Earned a scholarship in training camp — which has been fantastic.

 

“This past game, 74 players played, 18 started their careers as walk-ons, and Will Hart, over 50 on that punt this week. Outstanding. Both McCurry brothers got in the ballgame. You can go right down the list of guys. Tru Wilson, Jordan Glasgow … Hunter Reynolds, really pleased with how our players are improving. Especially guys that came in without scholarships. So, yeah, thanks for asking.”

 

Jim, just kinda talk about special teams. How would you evaluate that as a whole? I know you mentioned it a little with Will Hart, but overall, how do you think special teams is going?

 

“Really good. Made a big play in each of the first two games, kickoff return for a touchdown and a blocked punt. This group is solid. Kickoff coverage, real opportunity to pin the opponent down inside the 20-yard line. That’s a big play in the game, field position. Punting group, those have been good. So, Jake Moody, I’m happy about him. And, field goal unit, we got — we’re 1-for-3 and that’s not the percentage we’d like to be.”

 

Jim, you guys have had really good recruiting classes, the defense. How does a guy like Noah Furbush — didn’t really come in with a ton of hype — how did he maintain a starting position, a key role?

“Well, he’s a very dedicated player. He’s got all the attributes. Size and speed, smart. … I’ve watched him for a few years now, four, and I’ve always thought of Noah Furbush as a guy who could be an NFL player. It’s very interesting and compelling story that he’s very serious about football and it’s very important to him, but that’s not what he wants to do after college. He wants to go into the military, wants to fly jets, and an aerospace engineer. Already graduated. Now he’s in graduate studies — space engineering. Got his pilot license, two summers ago? Yeah, it’s, as I said, a compelling story. Great to see him having success on the football field.”

 

You mention the pilot’s license and he wants to be a jet pilot. Does he have kind of a thrill-seeker side to him? That doesn’t seem like it’s something that everybody does — does he have kind of a thrill-seeker element to him?

 

“I don’t know if I would say that. He’s a — I think he’s got that. He looks out for people. He’s got that side. He’s a gentleman all the way, likes to protect people. And I think that’s probably the bigger motivating factor than being a thrill-seeker, in my opinion.”

 

Jim, you said last week you were gonna stick with the same line, you did. They rushed for 300 yards. How did you see them respond in practice and what’s your overall comfort/confidence level with those guys, the five that you’ve got out here?

 

“Yeah, just keep improving. That’s our mindset. It was good to see Jalen Mayfield get in the game. Good to see James Hudson get in the game. And do well. Both those players, I’ve seen come and come fast, and we’ve got good hopes for both of those tackles. And … how fast they can get up to speed. And James is, James’ case, it’s good to see him play good in the game. Has that real focus and that intensity, and I really do believe he’ll be a fantastic football player. The next step is in practice, as well, having that same kind of mentality in practice. Things you see in young players, where they keep that focus and not get tired. Really grind. You saw it in the game, so you know it’s there. The athleticism is there.

 

“Jalen Mayfield is — he’s really got everything that you’re looking for. Just needs time on task, so, those practices are really important for him as well.”

 

Were they close, in camp? Were they close to beating those veterans out?

 

“They’re in the ballpark, yeah. So, that bodes well for them. … Were they the best player at that position? Time will tell, but very pleased with Jon Runyan and Juwan Bushell-Beatty. Mike Onwenu’s made a lot of strides in his junior year now, and Ben Bredeson played the best of all the linemen. Close between who’s our offensive player of the game between Ben Bredeson and Shea Patterson. But I gave the nod to the offensive lineman, 300 yards of rushing plus the pass protection. And just an outstanding member of that group. It was close. So yeah, seeing good — we’ve talked about Cesar already. Just really doing a lotta really good things athletically. And physical. Playing strong, he’s able to get up on the second level and from an understanding standpoint, it’s coming fast to him. Excited about that.”

 

Jim, when you have games like Western and then SMU coming up — games that are perceived as very winnable — what do you guys evaluate as coaches? You look at the score, but are you looking at more, like the footwork — I mean, what sort of things as coaches can you guys gain from a 46-point win?

 

“A lot of things. The amount of players that we were able to play. The execution was better. … What we didn’t do so right, or what wasn’t right systematically. Or maybe a player didn’t have an understanding of. Or where the improvement can be made physically, technique, fundamental. With every single player, you’re looking at, diagnosing, improve. There are some things — and there were things in the game — they were outstanding. A couple of the throws Shea made — the one he made to his left, throwing to Oliver (Martin) on the boundary, being chased, was, that was a high-level, unbelievable play. And so was his touchdown pass to Donovan (Peoples-Jones), that really stood out as a great play. So, that wasn’t coaching.”

 

Jim, I saw Tarik (Black’s) in a boot, do you have an update on when he might be back, taking part in football activities, playing again?

 

“Not yet. Not the timetable, right now. As of right now, he did have surgery on his foot. So, everything is rehab right now, and healing.”

 

Jim, what went into the decision to put in Dylan (McCaffrey) at the beginning of the the fourth quarter, and when do you see him getting in again?

 

“Yeah, felt Dylan did a really good job. The exception of when taking a sack, same type of play that Shea did the week before. … But yeah, really pretty good. And what was — decision was based on, going into the Notre Dame game, Brandon (Peters) had something that he was working through, but he was good this week. And I felt Dylan, honestly, had a good week of practice and can stay the backup quarterback this week.”

 

I realize you’re talking about Shea making, especially those two that stood out. Does that give him a longer leash than the kinda thing you expected from him when he first got here?

 

“Well, I don’t really like the leash analogy. There’s no leash.”

 

Does he get more leeway in the offense?

 

“Throwing on the — he’s throwing very well on the run. Yeah we like to do that, continue to do that. Lot of trust in Shea. I was pointing out the two spectacular plays.”

 

Coach, you had a pretty big supporter of Michigan football back on the field Saturday. Any thoughts on John Beilein being able to be back up here after this procedure?

 

“Yeah, it’s great. He looks great. Had a chance to talk to him after the ballgame. Had a recruiting dinner, he was doing the same thing. Looked like he had a ton of energy and will be coaching this year. Very fired up for John. He wouldn’t show me his scar though.”

 

What’s it been like having Jim McElwain for game weeks? Do you get the sense that he’s enjoying life as an assistant?

 

“Yes. It’s been good. He’s done a great job, and really feeling our receivers are improving and ascending, get ‘em to where their abilities are showing. He’s doing a great job. He’s really helping in what he does, adds so much to the gameplanning, in all areas. Calling plays … great to be around in the office. Just a really good football coach. You’d have to ask him how much he’s enjoying it, but I’m really enjoying having him.”

 

Coach, what have you seen from Carlo Kemp since he moved to the interior of the defensive line this offseason?

 

“Great question. Just really strong. He’s playing really strong right now, and very dedicated guy, player. There’s been no hesitation starting Carlo. And like him a lot, coming into his own physically with the strength showing up.”

 

Jim, you had Ambry (Thomas) in there on offense. Is that something you’d like to keep working in more and more each game?

 

“Sure, that’s something that went good for us.”

 

And to follow, you said (on Saturday), (Lawrence) Marshall and (Aubrey) Solomon — you said sooner than later. Is there a timetable?

 

“Nah, I can’t really put a time on it. They’re really getting into the category of questionable, week-to-week.”

 

Jim, now that you’ve had nine months to work with Ed Warinner, talk about what you like about him as a coach and what he’s brought to your offensive line

 

“Really good teacher. Seen a lot of football, and very experienced. Can explain things very well. I enjoy meetings. Talks so people can understand him, and he’s very intense. Very intense football coach that loves things that all football coaches do, works for long hours. But very precise about things. … Really all good. Great personality. Enthusiasm is really good. Really have enjoyed working with him.”

 

To have a receiver catch a touchdown — it was gonna happen eventually, but is that sorta just one thing you don’t have to address going forward, when is a receiver gonna catch a touchdown? But could you talk about that aspect of the receivers really becoming more involved, especially moving forward, in the red zone and those kind of plays?

 

“Yeah, just feeling that the receivers are doing the things that receivers need to do. A, number one, creating separation — create space first. Create space. And then gain separation, and then catch the ball. Saw that out of Nico (Collins), saw that out of Donovan, Grant (Perry) is doing that. And if you want an assortment of different routes — corners, posts, shallow crosses — we’re seeing Oliver Martin gain space. Create some (space), catch the football — tough catches. So, the group, we’re seeing things. Feel good about the way they’re ascending.