Michigan Football: 3 Wolverines could be surprise starters in 2020
By Nick Popio
Mazi Smith
With speculation about presumed starter Chris Hinton not getting the blessing to play because of the virus, Smith would get an expanded opportunity to lace up his shoes.
The promising youngster wasn’t fully prepared for the transition to college football in 2019 and ended up saving his redshirt status in the process.
Now with the departure of Michael Dwumfour to Rutgers, it opens up a gig for the heralded recruit to occupy. Carlo Kemp needs a comrade to go to war with him and the pickings take a major hit if Hinton doesn’t play. Because of that, Smith may be forced into battle because of the lack of bodies at tackle.
Smith has all the gifts in the world to be a high-round draft pick when he leaves Ann Arbor. The obstacle for defensive line coach Shaun Nua must be to get that out of him ASAP.
His body type would bring an added bonus to combine with Kemp who plays at a stealth 285. Learning on the fly for Smith this season could determine how the big guy develops into the rotation or continues to watch from the sidelines.