Michigan Football: Cornerback depth could become an Issue

Lavert Hill and Ambry Thomas appear to be more than serviceable starters, but questions behind them will test Michigan football’s pass defense.

The starting corners for Michigan football in the 2019 season are basically set in stone with Lavert Hill and Ambry Thomas returning (if healthy).

After those two, major concerns arise with little to no experience from the backups. The Wolverines also lost former starters David Long and Brandon Watson to the pros. Long had eligibility remaining which would have allowed him to play alongside Hill with Thomas being the primary reserve behind them. Now, after he went pro, the Maize and Blue will be searching for any combination that can step up should anything unexpected happen.

Coach Harbaugh confirmed at media days that Ambry Thomas will miss some time but is expected back before the season kicks off. That means guys like Jalen Kelly-Powell, Vincent Gray, Gemon Green and others must produce results immediately.

Kelly-Powell has seen time since he arrived on campus and fits the cover safety mold that Coach Brown runs on defense. Josh Metellus, Brad Hawkins and Daxton Hill will most likely do the same when the defense is on the field in certain situations.

Gray saw little time on special teams mainly, while Green red-shirted in 2018. Incoming freshmen Jalen Perry is a four-star recruit who may be forced to see the field early. Another youngster, DJ Turner doesn’t look physically ready to play just yet. Sammy Faustin did not play last year and he’ll be another name that should earn some snaps early this fall. Luckily for Michigan football, these young men can gain some much-needed action in the two contests against Middle Tennessee and Army before the Big Ten opener in Madison.

Myles Sims would have seen significant time had the four-star not transferred out of Michigan in the spring. It’s a notable loss that would have definitely eased the transition from the starters to the backups.

Benjamin St.-Juste is another corner who ended up at a different school as well and saw game action early in his career that would have carried over to time this season. He transferred after Michigan football was unable to clear him for action.

To say Michigan needs its cornerbacks to stay healthy is an understatement. JKP, Gray, Green, Perry and whomever else gets on the field will have to perform like seasoned vets. It’s vitally imperative to do so with the Big Ten’s best speedy receivers coming at you almost every week.

Look for the staff to focus on secondary development extensively at the beginning and throughout the entire fall camp leading up to the opener.