Kyle Whittingham names Michigan football's biggest camp risers

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — While there are a series of Michigan football players who are making waves in fall camp and are certain to be heavy in rotation, if not starting, there are other players who are making strides in one way or another. Whether those are players who are still battling to see the field, or those who were not thought of by the staff as being likely contributors previously, but are now, there are a lot of camp risers who have made the biggest strides.

On Friday, WolverinesWire asked Kyle Whittingham who those players are who have impressed him the most, those who have taken leaps compared to perhaps some of the others. And he listed several — some who are known commodities, and others who are new or newer to college football.

"Channing Goodwin has really had a nice fall camp," Whittingham said. "He's stepped up and is going to be in the rotation. He'll be a guy that figures in. Two freshman defensive ends, Carter Meadows and Tariq Boney, really having an outstanding camp. And they're going to be involved. Now, they happen to be behind a bunch of other good defensive end guys, but they've really shown out exceptionally well.

"Let's see, who else? Savion, we've talked about him, had nausea throughout the last eight months. Nate Marshall has really started to come into his own, another defensive end. Again, we're really, really blessed to have a bunch of edge guys that are really good football players, but Nate has been exceptional."

The defensive line continues to look really deep, especially at edge rusher. Marshall is a former five-star who made some noise in spring ball but had been relatively quiet during fall camp. But with him, John Henry Daley, Dominic Nichols (who is nursing a minor injury in fall camp), Cam Brandt, and Lugard Edokpayi, there are a lot of names there. So for him, and the two true freshmen to emerge, that shows the depth of the position group.

Another position that hasn't been talked about much lately is tight end, and when asked about the unit, Whittingham remembered another true freshman who certainly has a lot of upside and promise.

"Back to the question about who has really caught our eye, Mason Bonner — I left him out," Whittingham said. "He's a big, good-looking freshman tight end, didn't get here until June. He's about 6-7, 235, still needs to put on some weight. But as far as the receiving skills that he has demonstrated, as good as it gets for a tight end. He's still got some work to do in the blocking situation. That should come with strength and added weight, but he is off to a really good start. You're going to see him get snaps as well as a true freshman."

It's no sure thing that Meadows, Boney, or Bonner will see meaningful playing time, but certainly the coaching staff has shown a preference to get players in as early as possible. We'll know more come September 5 when Michigan football hosts Western Michigan at The Big House.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Kyle Whittingham names Michigan football's biggest camp risers

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