Every team has questions going into fall camp. Michigan football is no different. Outside of the questions at quarterback, which mostly have to do with how ready Bryce Underwood is to play as a true freshman, there have been two key questions lingering, one on offense and one on defense.
Offensively, the biggest issue last season, outside of the quarterback room, was the offensive line. It took a noticeable step back. Therefore, the running game struggled, at times, and when it did, it left the Wolverines without the ability to move the ball.
That shouldn't happen this season. The offensive line will be better. It improved at the end of last season, and four of the players who started in the bowl game are projected to start this season.
One of those players is Evan Link. He stared at right tackle last season and struggled, to say the least. However, he did fine in the bowl game and has been battling Andrew Babalola for the starting left tackle job in fall camp.
Chris Balas of The Wolverine wrote on Monday that Link has made "notable improvement" during fall camp. Babalola is still in the mix, but it sounds like Link will be the starting left tackle this season. We'll see how he holds up, but he'll likely get the first crack at it.
The fact that he was able to hold off a five-star in Babalola, who is the highest-rated offensive line recruit in program history, is encouraging. If it was close between the two, you'd think the tie would go to Babalola based on long-term future.
So, Link must have really improved, which is what you want. He was a four-star coming out of high school and it feels like he'll play more like a blue-chip in 2025.
Another key player taking a step forward in fall camp for Michigan football
Another player who has caught the eye of at least one assistant coach is Jyaire Hill, who started nine games last season at cornerback with 35 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, and nine pass breakups.
Wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy met with the media on Monday and said this about Hill, who has been covering his wideouts all camp:
“I love Jyaire. Jyaire’s balling. Jyaire’s doing good,” Bellamy said via The Wolverine.
Secondary coach Lamar Morgan said Hill was "loaded with talent." That's why CBS Sports projected him to be a first-round pick this fall, at least in one mock draft.
Hill is 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, and capable of being an elite cover corner. He flashed at times last season, but the fact that he's 'balling out" is another good sign. The No. 1 cornerback job is a tough role, especially with dudes like Jeremish Smith on the schedule.
Hill is up to the task and the returns about him from fall camp only reinforce that.