The Michigan Insider

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb discuss the challenges facing intercollegiate athletics at it returns from the coronavirus shutdown, the change of course for Nojel Eastern and the recruiting benefit that stems from it, and the biggest question marks on Michigan's roster. Tim also gives his ranking of the Big Ten's basketball coaches.

In this episode, we break down the ins and outs of Michigan's offensive depth chart. Looking at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and offensive line, we break down the projected starters, second string players, position battles we're keeping an eye on, sleepers who didn't make the two-deep and what we think of each position group. We close with some questions from listeners, incl...

Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich discuss wide receiver recruiting moving focusing on Xavier Worthy, Cristian Dixon, Jayden Thomas, Lorenzo Styles, Andrel Anthony, and Thomas Fidone. Plus the crew explains why Sherrone Moore should be regarded as one of the best recruiters in the country and discuss the recent Power Five offers extended to 2022 Michigan commit Alex VanSumeren. Later Webb an...

In this hour-long episode, we break down nine ways the Michigan football team can become national title contenders in 2020. We begin by taking a look at four that ESPN's Bill Connelly recently outlined, discussing the merits of Connelly's concerns about offensive line, Michigan's youth, Don Brown's big-game defenses and red-zone efficiency. Then, we start to come up with a few of our own, looking...

In this episode, we discuss the NCAA and Michigan football team’s plans to return to campus for voluntary workouts, and chat with tight end signee Matthew Hibner about his view on the quarantine and Michigan’s handling of it. We begin with a macro discussion of the NCAA’s unveiling of a summer schedule, that includes a six-week ramp-up into a regularly scheduled season, along with a window of volu...

Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich discuss cornerback recruiting moving forward focusing on Omarion Cooper, Tyreke Chappell, Dyson McCutheon, Jamier Johnson, Ceryair Wright, and Kamonte Grimes. Plus each member of the crew gives his pick for sleeper of the class so far. Later Webb and Josh Henschke discuss 2022 in=state basketball recruiting, focusing Fletcher Loyer, Ty Rodgers, Javaughn Han...

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb chat with Terry Mills about Juwan Howard's evolution as a coach in season one, the development of Brandon Johns and Franz Wagner, and more. Then Tim offer his assessment of five big man targets Chet Holmgren and Efton Reid.

Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich discuss the impact of new Michigan commits Jaydon Hood and Kechaun Bennett. Then the crew discusses defensive line recruiting moving forward focusing on Dallas Turner, Quintin Somerville, George Rooks, and Rayshaun Benny. Plus the latest rumblings on Xavier Worthy and Omarion Cooper. Later Webb and Josh Henschke discuss basketball recruiting, focusing on fi...

Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich discuss the impact of new Michigan commit Junior Colson and what target might be the next to drop. Then the crew addresses the perception that there are problems with in-state recruiting. Included is a chat with the father of Belleville LB Jamari Buddin about why the Wolverines parted ways with his son. Plus the latest rumblings on Rocco Spindler, Garrett D...

In this episode, we take a stock report on Michigan’s future, using our 20 under 20 in 2020 story as a guide as we tackle three key questions surrounding the Wolverines’ underclassmen corps. First, we look at which incoming freshmen are likely to burn their redshirts in the 2020 season. We identify four highly likely players, then take a look at defensive depth, and how freshmen could be answering...

In this episode, we field a number of listener questions about the Michigan football team. We begin with a discussion on potential defensive breakout players. We break down Don Brown's candidates for Michigan's next Josh Uche-type edge rusher, looking at the ascension and trajectories of Luiji Vilain, Taylor Upshaw and David Ojabo, and what their roles could look like in 2020 and beyond. We also l...

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb discuss the challenges of maintaining a team in the transfer era, and why Cole Bajema's transfer was a predictable outcome. Next, they assess talent and potential impact made by transfers Nojel Eastern and Chaundee Brown. Then the duo reacts to Purdue coach Matt Painter's parting shots for Eastern. And finally, Webb interviews former Wake Forest great and assistant coach...

In this episode, we break down Michigan's addition of Wake Forest transfer Chaundee Brown, who averaged 12.1 points and 6.5 rebounds for Wake Forest last season. We first look at Brown's game as a 2-3 combo guard, so-so shooter and agressive addition to Michigan's backcourt. We also spend time looking at the Wolverines' pursuit of Brown, what it says about Juwan Howard and what makes Brown a high-...

Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich discuss Michigan momentum with the top RB target Donovan Edwards. The trio then tackles the latest in offensive line recruiting, including Top247 target Drew Kendall. Later Webb and Josh Henschke break down how Purdue basketball transfer Nojel Eastern fits with the Wolverines on the Hardwood. The duo finishes with a discussion of transfer targets Chaundee B...

In this episode, we react to the surprising commitment of Purdue guard Nojel Eastern, and also tackle a few more basketball questions we received from listeners. We begin by contextualizing the rarity of a commitment happening so quickly, particularly from the transfer portal. We also break down what we think of Michigan adding Eastern, of Eastern's tenure at Purdue, what went wrong and what kind...

In this episode, we tackle a few listener questions, then discuss a story series Shaw has been doing looking at past recruiting. First, we answer a question predicting who we think will be a surprise player on offense and defense in the 2020 season. We look beneath the typical breakout candidates and new starters, and call our shot on four players who could surprise fans with their impact in the f...

In this episode, we break down where things stand with the Michigan basketball team after more attrition, and what's next for the Wolverines. We begin by unpacking the transfer departure of rising sophomore wing player Cole Bajema. We look at his brief career with the Wolverines, the potential reasons behind his transfer and what's next for him. We also look at if it's possible that the COVID-19 C...

In this episode, we take a look at Jim Harbaugh's open letter to the football community, in which he proposes several significant rule changes for college football. We open by looking at the optics of Harbaugh releasing the letter — one that made news nationally — and how it's very hard to call it anything but a win for the head coach and Michigan. We break down the reaction among fans and media m...

In this recruiting-heavy episode, Steve Lorenz is joined by 247Sports Midwest recruiting expert Allen Trieu as the two break down a number of key angles in the Wolverines’ 2021 recruiting cycle. Among the biggest key areas discussed are Michigan’s in-state recruiting efforts, including the pursuits of running back Donovan Edwards, offensive guard Rocco Spindler, offensive tackle Garrett Dellinger...

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb assess season one of the Juwan Howard era, reflect upon the careers of Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske, discuss the transfers of Colin Castleton and Dave DeJulius, and the pro outlooks for Isaiah Livers and Franz Wagner, The duo also projects the impact of each member of the 2020 recruiting class and discusses how the new G-League option being utilized by former commitment...

In this episode, we break down the significance of two key decisions pertaining to the Michigan men’s basketball team: Colin Castleton’s decision to transfer and Jace Howard’s decision to walk on with the Wolverines in lieu of a scholarship. We open by discussing Castleton’s decision to depart, and why the move makes a lot of sense for the same reasons David DeJulius’ departure did. We look into C...

In this episode, we unpack the most significant transfer loss the Michigan men's basketball team has suffered in recent memory, as David DeJulius entered the transfer portal Monday afternoon. We break down the series of events that might have played a role in his departure, and we discuss why the decision might make more sense to DeJulius than it does to a number of fans. We also spend some time r...

In this episode, we break down what to know about Michigan football recruiting during the COVID-19 global pandemic. First, we break down how things change now that spring visits are postponed until at least the summer. We discuss how teams are getting creative with their recruiting pitch, what the keys to succeeding in contact periods are, how Michigan specifically has altered or remodeled its app...

In this episode, we look at how the mass cancellation of all sports activities, including the Michigan football team’s spring practices, most hurts the Wolverines. Breaking the impact into four parts, we first begin by looking at Michigan’s quarterback battle. We discuss why the battle hurts one competitor more than the other, how the Wolverines approach the contest now that there are 15 fewer pra...

Reacting to the Michigan basketball team’s sudden lack of an offseason, we break down five immediate questions that come to mind regarding the Wolverines. First, we break down what has typically been the most pressing offseason question, discussing if Michigan will lose any prospects early to the NBA Draft. We make the case for Franz Wagner and Isaiah Livers to go pro, but also break down the reas...