As the Michigan Wolverines prepare for their upcoming spring practice, there are several questions surrounding the team\u2019s special teams that need to be answered. Will the Wolverines be able to maintain their success on special teams? Will the team have the depth to field a competitive special teams unit? And what impact will new special teams coordinator Chris Partridge have on the team?<\/p>\n
The Wolverines have been one of the most successful special teams units in the Big Ten over the past few years, ranking in the top five in several categories. This success has been due in large part to the play of kicker Quinn Nordin, punter Will Hart, and returners Donovan Peoples-Jones and Ambry Thomas. Nordin is one of the most accurate kickers in the nation, having connected on 83.3% of his field goal attempts over the past two seasons. Hart has been a reliable punter, averaging over 44 yards per punt in 2018. Peoples-Jones and Thomas have also been dangerous returners, both ranking in the top 25 nationally in kickoff return yardage last season.<\/p>\n
The Wolverines will need to find suitable replacements for Nordin and Hart, who have both exhausted their eligibility. The battle for the starting kicker job will likely be between redshirt freshman Jake Moody and freshman Garrett Moores. Moody has the advantage of having a year in the program, while Moores is a highly-touted recruit who has the potential to be a difference maker. Hart\u2019s replacement is less certain, as the Wolverines have a handful of players vying for the job.<\/p>\n
Michigan\u2019s special teams unit will also benefit from the addition of new special teams coordinator Chris Partridge. Partridge has a long history of success with the Wolverines, having served as the team\u2019s linebackers coach from 2015-2018. He is known for his attention to detail and his ability to get the most out of his players. Partridge\u2019s presence should help the Wolverines continue their success on special teams.<\/p>\n
The Wolverines will look to answer these questions and more as they prepare for the upcoming season. With a new special teams coordinator and a few key departures, Michigan\u2019s special teams unit could look very different in 2019. It will be interesting to see how the Wolverines respond to the changes and if they can continue their success on special teams.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As the Michigan Wolverines prepare for their upcoming spring practice, there are several questions surrounding the team\u2019s special teams that need to be answered. Will the Wolverines be able to maintain their success on special teams? Will the team have the depth to field a competitive special teams unit? And what impact will new special …<\/p>\n