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Zeke Berry should be the next nickel for Michigan football

Zeke Berry has been getting snaps as the nickel defender and he makes a ton of sense there for Michigan football.

By Chris Peterson

Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Zeke Berry (10) against the
Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Zeke Berry (10) against the / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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I've always been a big fan of Michigan football defensive back Zeke Berry. In fact, when Rod Moore got injured, Berry's name was the first that popped into my head.

Berry might not be on the same level as Rod Moore, who I think is one of the best safeties in college football. Hell, I thought he would have been one of the best safeties in the 2024 NFL draft class if he entered. Moore didn't and will probably miss the entire season.

That leaves Michigan football needing a defensive back or two to step up and Berry is chief among them. There was talk of playing Moore in the slot -- where Mike Sainristil played last season.

Now, that idea is out the window. Ja'Den McBurrows has played there too but also on the outside. Jyaire Hill and D.J. Waller are other important pieces that have stepped up this spring. Yet, Berry was one of the guys mentioned by secondary coach Lamar Morgan.

“A guy that has really stepped up is Zeke Berry,” Morgan said. “He’s going to be a unique player for us. He’s still young and still developing but he’s got a lot of those traits.”

Zeke Berry could be Michigan football nickel

Berry is 5-foot-11, 192 pounds. He played in 11 games last season for Michigan football with most of his action coming on special teams. The former four-star recruit ranked No. 181 overall in the 247 Sports composite rankings. He was even higher in the 247 Sports rankings (65th). He can cover but Berry can also tackle.

With the lack of depth at cornerback behind Will Johnson, playing Berry at nickel makes sense. Makari Paige and Quentin Johnson, along with Brandyn Hillman should be able to hold things down at safety. Berry could play some snaps there too if needed but Berry has always felt like a nickel to me.

As Mikey showed last season, it's a valuable position. Basically, a starter and I'd love to see Zeke Berry emerge. He's not Sainristil but that would be like expecting every EDGE player to be Aidan Hutchinson.

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Berry is one of the guys I was hoping would emerge and so far this spring, it's happening, which is a promising development for an already stout Michigan football defense.