Michigan cornerbacks look to grow from 2020 struggles under new staff, scheme
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Apr. 12—When former Michigan cornerback Ambry Thomas decided to opt out before the 2020 season, coupled with veteran Lavert Hill exhausting his eligibility, the Wolverines' secondary was suddenly less experienced.
While Vincent Gray was already positioned to take over at one cornerback spot, Gemon Green, who had only played on special teams the previous season as a redshirt freshman, was thrust into a starting role. Early last season, both clearly were targeted by offenses and struggled.
By the end of Michigan's 2-4 season — as issues elsewhere in the Wolverines' play became more pronounced — Gray and Green started to show the improvement that often comes with playing time and getting more comfortable.
Green said he has been thriving with coaching from Mo Linguist, the co-defensive coordinator in his first season working with the corners, during spring practice which concluded last Saturday. He had 22 tackles last season and a team-high nine pass breakups.
"That was my first time playing cornerback in two years," Green said of the 2020 season during a recent video conference with reporters. "I was kind like of getting back into my groove. Toward the end of the season, I was kind of getting it all together. Hopefully this next year I start off strong."
Gray, who finished with 25 tackles and three pass breakups, also didn't come into the season with a great deal of experience, but he did have one start in 2019 from which to draw.
As he watched last season's games, Thomas, who has been preparing for the NFL Draft, said he saw the growth Green and Gray made.
"I'm excited to see the leadership role Gemon Green and Vincent Gray are ready to take for their group," Thomas said last month. "I'm ready to see them lock down No. 1 receivers like I know they can. I just feel like it's a mental thing with those guys, and I'm ready to see them take the next step and lead the group. They've got a good group of cornerbacks."
There is newness across the board with Michigan's defense after coach Jim Harbaugh overhauled his staff. Mike Macdonald is the new defensive coordinator. Ron Bellamy, the former Michigan receiver and West Bloomfield High head coach, is coaching safeties. George Helow is working with the linebackers and Linguist with the corners. Defensive line coach Shaun Nua is the only returning assistant from the previous defensive staff.
While little has been publicly shared about Macdonald's defense, it seems a safe bet there will be a departure — although not wholesale — from previous coordinator Don Brown's reliance on man coverage.
Safety Dax Hill said this spring that the new scheme involves mixing in "a lot of different things." Hill, a five-star recruit in the 2019 class, will play a major role in what Macdonald is shaping, but Green said DJ Turner will also factor in at cornerback.
Safety Brad Hawkins returns to start at one spot, and R.J. Moten also has turned heads this spring. Green said his twin brother, German, was moved to cornerback this spring, as well.
"It's very competitive in the room," Green said. "That's another person (German Green) competing with me. DJ Turner took a big step, so you'll probably be seeing him a little bit more.
"They push me, I push them. Whenever I need help on something, they come and tell me. Whenever they need something, I help them out with technique or how to play this in this position. Everything is situational, so you have to teach each other."
Green said the cornerbacks were constantly rotating during spring practice while getting the new scheme installed and getting the defensive coaches and players acclimated to each other.
As far as the cornerbacks, Green said they feel optimistic working with Linguist, who coached defensive backs for the Dallas Cowboys last season.
"He's bringing a lot of stuff from the NFL like technique-wise," Green said. "He's teaching me a lot about the stuff the guys in the NFL are doing. It's helping with my technique and trying to develop from last year. He's a great coach. He's like another mentor to me."
Twitter: @chengelis
