Top Michigan football players who stood out during the spring game

Photo: Isaiah Hole

There is intrigue as to who will be the best defender this fall, and with neither Blake Corum nor Donovan Edwards playing, we got glimpses of other defenders.

True freshman Benjamin Hall didn’t start for the Blue team, but he did play some in the first half and got numerous looks in the second. He carried the ball 13 times for 96 yards and a touchdown during the spring game.

Hall has considerable strength for his massive size, but also has great cutting ability and straight-line speed. With more work to do in the fall, he is definitely an option for the Wolverines to use.

Photo: Isaiah Hole

Kalel Mullings also looked solid with the running backs.

He started the game in Blue, and according to Michigan’s stats, he carried the ball nine times for 35 yards and a score.

It looks like Mullings lost some weight from last season and has a little more speed with his solid frame. I never saw Mullings play defense on Saturday, so the Wolverines might try to keep him running. Both Mullings and Hall have a good chance to displace CJ Stokes at that No. 3 spot and earn playing time.

Photo: Isaiah Hole

Alex Orji won’t overtake JJ McCarthy or even move up to the second or third guy on the depth chart – but he could play a role.

The more I see Orji, the more impressed I am. We all know he can run, and he can do it well. But he seems to have progressed as a pitcher as well.

He went 4-6 on Saturday and threw one great pass to freshman Fredrick Moore. Moore ran at speed and the pass fell right into his hands.

I can see Jim Harbaugh coming up with plays where Orji is a wildcat quarterback whose passing ability will force defenses to stay honest this fall.

Photo: Isaiah Hole

Benjamin Hall also played Peyton O’Leary was the game MVP on Saturday.

He caught six passes for 126 yards and the game-winning two-point conversion. JJ McCarthy looked his way often in the second quarter and O’Leary came down with some great grabs.

Michigan has plenty of talent at wide receiver, but the former walk-on has a chance to get on the field if he continues to play like he has in game situations.

Photo: Isaiah Hole

AJ Barner suited up for Michigan and gave fans a chance to see what they’ll see from him in the fall.

Jack Tuttle, his former quarterback at Indiana, started the game and they connected three times in the first half. Barner caught three passes for 30 yards and a score for the Blue team.

Barner looks like he could fill Luke Schoonmaker’s role. He can block, but he also has very reliable hands. Michigan is in great shape and Colston Loveland and Barner are the top two targets at tight end.

Photo: Isaiah Hole

A couple of Michigan’s edge defenders stood out on defense, but Josaiah Stewart arguably looked the best.

Stewart is a transfer that came from Coastal Carolina and should play a big role for the Wolverines this season. On Saturday, he had five tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss in a loss to the blue team.

Stewart has good speed off the edge and didn’t have much trouble getting off the line.

Photo: Isaiah Hole

Rayshaun Benny was one of my sleepers who had a big season last year, but he was behind Mazi Smith and Kris Jenkins. I’m still going to stick with him to have a solid 2023 campaign.

Benny had six tackles, one sack and two losses on Saturday. He continues to impress with his speed and ability to create running lanes for the defense. I don’t see how Michigan can keep him off the field.

Photo: Isaiah Hole

No Junior Colson at Michigan on Saturday, but we did get a look at the former Nebraska defender Ernest Hausmann.

Hausmann led both teams with eight tackles and forced a fumble that was recovered by Amorion Walker.

He was a tackling machine at Nebraska last season as a true freshman and looks like he can do the same in Ann Arbor. He was always around the ball, and the combination of Colson and Hausmann for Michigan should mean big things for the linebacking crew.

Photo: Isaiah Hole

One of the things I wanted to watch on Saturday was the young defensive backs. Of course, Amorion Walker and Ja’Den McBurrows were the first two on my list, and I think both performed well enough.

But sophomore Zeke Berry caught my eye. On Saturday, he had four tackles and a pass interference. He also kidnapped Jack Tuttle. The pass that Tuttle threw up was no good; he basically forced it under pressure. However, Berry got to the ball and came down with it.

It’s hard to describe, but he just looks that way. He looks like a Michigan safety that could be really good. It’s hard for him to see much game action despite being behind Rod Moore, Makari Paige and RJ Moten. But Michigan could try him at corner and see where he ranks to get him on the field.

Photo: Isaiah Hole

JJ McCarthy had a rough start on Saturday. He overthrew Marlin Klein on the first drive – literally sailing the ball over his open hands – and threw an interception.

But he rebounded very nicely and played very well the rest of the first half. He finished the game 7-10 for 84 yards and a score.

In the second quarter and showed off his arm by making very difficult throws from tight ends to Peyton O’Leary. As long as the former five-star forward continues to throw himself, Michigan will be a tough game.