Michigan Football Preview 2015 – Special Teams

Just like with the offense, achieving basic competence on special teams would be a huge step forward for Michigan this year. Having the ability to count to 11 would be a rather large step forward. That should tell you just about everything you need to know about the 2014 Wolverines’ special teams. Incoming Special Teams Coordinator John Baxter has nearly thirty years of experience coaching special teams and was outstanding at his last two stops: USC, and Fresno State before that. Baxter has a clear passion for special teams and knows that Michigan’s aren’t where they need to be. Baxter might be the best assistant Harbaugh picked up.

I’m guessing that freshman Andrew David ends up as the kicker. Redshirt freshman Kyle Seychel kicked the only extra point in the spring game, but David wasn’t on campus yet.

Blake O’Neill comes in as a grad transfer from Weber State. An Australian, last year was his first year playing American football. It was a very good first year.

Michigan also has redshirt junior Kenny Allen, who can both punt and kick, though is more skilled as a punter.

Dennis Norfleet was a pretty good return man for Michigan last year, and would have been even better if the rest of the unit was better. He also saw the field as a slot receiver last year. In the spring game this year, he was at CB, where he was clearly overmatched, so the chances of him seeing extensive playing time at that point didn’t look good. Then he got suspended. He’s not listed on Michigan’s roster going into fall camp and there have been rumors that he’s transferring, so I’m going to guess that he won’t be playing for Michigan this year. If he does play for the Wolverines, great. I’d be glad to have him.

If Michigan doesn’t have Norfleet this year, which it doesn’t look like they’re going to, look for Jabrill Peppers to return punts and kicks, because he’s Jabrill Peppers.

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