There’s high anticipation for what Kyle Whittingham’s version of Michigan football will look like, and it’s not just the fans who are waiting with bated breath. Even outgoing players are excited to see what next year’s squad is able to do.
Meeting with NFL media in Indianapolis for the annual scouting combine, outgoing Wolverines defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny was asked if he had to bet his first NFL paycheck on one of Michigan’s second-year players to succeed, who would it be on?
Naturally, the answer is the name on everyone’s lips: Bryce Underwood. However, there is a close second.
“Bryce. I was about to say Marsh, Andrew Marsh,” Benny said. “He was pretty much like a raw talent. I was about to say that. We knew the talent was there. I was about to say I think this year he would take a huge leap. The coaches that was brought in and a specific coach to actually help develop him.”
Whittingham has overhauled the coaching staff by bringing in an offensive coordinator, Jason Beck, and a quarterbacks coach in Koy Detmer Jr., who appear to have a finger on the pulse of what Underwood needs to maximize his potential. What’s interesting is that even outgoing players note that that level of tutelage was lacking for Underwood a year ago.
But it’s also interesting to hear Benny mention Marsh, the enigmatic wide receiver who was one of the best, if not the best, pass catchers in the Big Ten in the latter half of the season.
So, where has he seen Marsh improve over the course of last year?
“Everywhere,” Benny said. “I was about to say once he hit the field, he had to turn around. I was about to say he made a play here. He kept making plays throughout the season.”
The combine starts now in anticipation of April’s NFL draft, but spring ball for the maize and blue will begin on March 17 with eyes on the April 18 spring game at The Big House.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football: Outgoing player names 2 future stars in Ann Arbor
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
