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Ann Arbor – New Michigan offensive coordinator Jason Beck is not suggesting the Wolverines' offense needs to be completely overhauled, but his plan is that it will definitely look different this fall.
Beck is Michigan’s third offensive coordinator in three years, but his hiring was part of the transition to a new staff under first-year Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham, who spent the last 21 seasons at Utah.
Beck is tasked with developing second-year quarterback Bryce Underwood, establishing a strong offensive line and resuscitating a receiver room that, outside of Andrew Marsh, needed work last year. The running backs are expected to be a strength, and the tight ends will very much factor into what Beck installs.
“It is quite a bit different,” Beck said Tuesday referring to his offense. “We're different than a lot of people. So yeah, there's some things (from last season) that are similar to things we did from last year, but most of it's new and most of it's different."
There are a few things Michigan did last season that Beck said he is using this year, because the players executed them well and they worked.
“And just kind of try to keep building on where they were at,” Beck said at a spring practice news conference. “So one example of that, like super generic, is they were pretty good outside zone team.
"So it's like, ‘All right, let's pick up.’ We ran outside zone two, but let's pick up on some of the ways they were running outside zone and just build on the good things they had going. You don't have to start everything from scratch.”
The offensive line won’t be starting from scratch even though they are now being coached by Jim Harding. Michigan has several players with starting experience, including Jake Guarnera, who is working at center and guard, tackles Andrew Sprague and Blake Frazier, and Evan Link, who has been working back from injury, Beck said, and can play tackle or guard.
“Want to find the best five and get them in there, no matter what that kind of combination looks like for the best five,” Beck said. “We've played with a sixth lineman quite a bit (at Utah). We played, like, 500 snaps with our sixth O lineman. But find our best five, (and) if there's a sixth guy that's really great, we might throw him in there as well, and go from there.”
So far during spring practice, Beck said the line has done a “nice job." Guarnera is leading the group, and different players are rotating in at tackle.
“And some guys are kind of working their way back in,” Beck said. “They're hurt, so there's still going to be a lot more evaluation to do with guys that have been out and are working their way back in.
"But Sprague's been doing a nice job, Blake has been doing a nice job, but the thing we're focused on right now with them is just learning everything and developing, having some guys in that O line group emerge as some of the leaders on the offense.”
Freshman five-star running back Savion Hiter has definitely caught Beck’s attention. Hiter is expected to play a significant role in the run game along with Jordan Marshall, who led Michigan in rushing last season.
“You knew off the film, (Hiter) has a lot of talent, a lot of ability,” Beck said. “It's a little early as we figure all that out, but if that's a really strong position, and they’re some of our best players, then let's get two backs on the field and play with both guys at the same time.
"If the tight end group's a strong position, let's get 12 personnel. Whatever those skilled players are that are going to help you score points to win games, let's get those guys on the field and adapt it to them.”
Darrell Mattison, a four-star safety from Chicago (Morgan Park High), committed to Michigan on Tuesday, making him the first commitment for new Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham. Mattison is ranked 38th nationally at safety by 247Sports Composite.
The 6-2, 160-pound defensive back considered Penn State, Ole Miss, Illinois, among others. Michigan now has four commitments in the 2027 class.
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@chengelis
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan football plans changes to offense under new OC Jason Beck
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Beck is Michigan’s third offensive coordinator in three years, but his hiring was part of the transition to a new staff under first-year Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham, who spent the last 21 seasons at Utah.
Beck is tasked with developing second-year quarterback Bryce Underwood, establishing a strong offensive line and resuscitating a receiver room that, outside of Andrew Marsh, needed work last year. The running backs are expected to be a strength, and the tight ends will very much factor into what Beck installs.
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“It is quite a bit different,” Beck said Tuesday referring to his offense. “We're different than a lot of people. So yeah, there's some things (from last season) that are similar to things we did from last year, but most of it's new and most of it's different."
There are a few things Michigan did last season that Beck said he is using this year, because the players executed them well and they worked.
“And just kind of try to keep building on where they were at,” Beck said at a spring practice news conference. “So one example of that, like super generic, is they were pretty good outside zone team.
"So it's like, ‘All right, let's pick up.’ We ran outside zone two, but let's pick up on some of the ways they were running outside zone and just build on the good things they had going. You don't have to start everything from scratch.”
The offensive line won’t be starting from scratch even though they are now being coached by Jim Harding. Michigan has several players with starting experience, including Jake Guarnera, who is working at center and guard, tackles Andrew Sprague and Blake Frazier, and Evan Link, who has been working back from injury, Beck said, and can play tackle or guard.
“Want to find the best five and get them in there, no matter what that kind of combination looks like for the best five,” Beck said. “We've played with a sixth lineman quite a bit (at Utah). We played, like, 500 snaps with our sixth O lineman. But find our best five, (and) if there's a sixth guy that's really great, we might throw him in there as well, and go from there.”
So far during spring practice, Beck said the line has done a “nice job." Guarnera is leading the group, and different players are rotating in at tackle.
“And some guys are kind of working their way back in,” Beck said. “They're hurt, so there's still going to be a lot more evaluation to do with guys that have been out and are working their way back in.
"But Sprague's been doing a nice job, Blake has been doing a nice job, but the thing we're focused on right now with them is just learning everything and developing, having some guys in that O line group emerge as some of the leaders on the offense.”
Adding Hiter to the mix
Freshman five-star running back Savion Hiter has definitely caught Beck’s attention. Hiter is expected to play a significant role in the run game along with Jordan Marshall, who led Michigan in rushing last season.
“You knew off the film, (Hiter) has a lot of talent, a lot of ability,” Beck said. “It's a little early as we figure all that out, but if that's a really strong position, and they’re some of our best players, then let's get two backs on the field and play with both guys at the same time.
"If the tight end group's a strong position, let's get 12 personnel. Whatever those skilled players are that are going to help you score points to win games, let's get those guys on the field and adapt it to them.”
Safety commits
Darrell Mattison, a four-star safety from Chicago (Morgan Park High), committed to Michigan on Tuesday, making him the first commitment for new Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham. Mattison is ranked 38th nationally at safety by 247Sports Composite.
The 6-2, 160-pound defensive back considered Penn State, Ole Miss, Illinois, among others. Michigan now has four commitments in the 2027 class.
[email protected]
@chengelis
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Want to comment on this story? Become a subscriber today. Click here.This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan football plans changes to offense under new OC Jason Beck
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