Three X-Factors That Can Drastically Improve U-M Offense

With Spring ball within the rearview mirror and fall camp nonetheless a number of months away, it appears like a great time to sit up for what may be one of the potent offensive models in the whole nation. 

Not solely did the Wolverines attain 12-wins for simply the third in program historical past, in addition they beat Ohio State, received a Huge Ten Championship and made their first look within the Faculty Soccer Playoff within the course of. For Harbaugh and the Wolverines, 2021 was nothing in need of a convincing success. 

With that mentioned, there’s all the time room for enchancment – and the Michigan offense might want to make enhancements in 2022 if a Nationwide Championship continues to be on the agenda. Listed below are the three X-Issue gamers that I feel may also help get them there:

Donovan Edwards

Menace: passing, speeding, receiving

Wanting again on the 2021 season, Donovan Edwards proved that he will be a significant downside for defensive coordinators all through his Michigan profession. As a real freshman, Edwards set the U-M report for a working again with 10 receptions for 170 yards in opposition to Maryland, threw an unbelievable 75-yard landing cross to Roman Wilson within the Huge Ten Championship sport and completed the season averaging 5.0 yards per speeding try (35 makes an attempt).

Following his large efficiency in Faculty Park, head coach Jim Harbaugh raved about his freshman RB.

“We’ve identified about his capability to catch the ball and run routes,” Harbaugh mentioned. “It began again in spring apply after he got here off his surgical procedure on his thumb. He was in a forged for the primary three weeks and he was averaging seven catches a day to the purpose he was even an instance for everyone. This man doesn’t drop something, and he’s carrying a tough forged on his hand. The work he’s put in, he’s bought so many built-up reps.”

Although proficient, Edwards nonetheless struggled to see the sector behind the exceptional duo of Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum. With Haskins now headed for the NFL, I totally count on Edwards to be closely concerned in what Michigan does offensively in 2022. He is fast, bodily and actually a menace from anyplace on the sector.  

AJ Henning

Menace: speeding, receiving, particular groups

AJ Henning figures to have an fascinating function in Michigan’s offense this season, assuming all the pieces goes in line with plan. 

Showing on a latest Within the Trenches podcast, Harbaugh laid out precisely how he envisions Henning becoming inside the U-M offense. “AJ Henning, we’re experimenting with (him) at working again,” Harbaugh mentioned. “It is probably not the experimental stage, he is bought the skillset to do it. Type of envision a Deebo Samuel sort of function. Methods to get him extra touches, methods to get him the ball extra.”

Like Edwards, Henning struggled to see the sector on the offensive facet of the ball – taking part in simply 19 snaps in 2021. With a lot pace and elusiveness to supply, it is comprehensible that Harbaugh would look to increase on his function in 2022.

JJ McCarthy

Menace: passing, speeding, unpredictability 

He did not get plenty of reps in 2021, however he actually made the many of the reps he did get – main many (myself included) to imagine that he is the man in 2022. I am speaking, in fact, about sophomore QB JJ McCarthy.  

From his arm power and accuracy to his capability to flee the pocket, McCarthy merely brings one other factor to the quarterback place that I imagine is essential in right now’s sport – significantly when defenders are far faster and extra athletic up entrance. 

Reasonably than spend the subsequent handful of paragraphs explaining why, I will merely present you: