J.B. Brown is taking the one-pitch mentality from the diamond to the gridiron. The Michigan football team’s special teams coordinator is a former collegiate and minor league baseball player, and he’s applying the ability to focus on one pitch at a time to his new job.
Unlike the sustained drives that offenses and defenses are built for, special teams units are given one play at a time to make their mark. They handle kickoffs, punts, field goals, extra points and returns, all of which consist of one play that tends to fly beneath the radar — unless the play goes poorly.
The Wolverines’ mishaps against Alabama in the Rose Bowl nearly cost them the game and put far too much of a spotlight on what Michigan hoped would be routine. On the other hand, former kicker James Turners’ three field goals, including a 50-yarder, against Ohio State last season were highlighted for the entirely opposite reason.
Consistency is key where special teams are concerned, and Brown is working with his unit to develop it one play at a time.
“We want to have great fundamentals, have great awareness of the ball, play with speed both mentally and physically,” Brown said Thursday. “And then play with a lot of trust from player to player, coach to coach and just continue to work through those things as we go.”
The main special teams question heading into the season is who will fill Turner’s role kicking field goals and extra points. In April, Michigan picked up transfer junior kicker Dominic Zvada from Arkansas State. He scored a career-high 92 points for the Red Wolves last season, converting on 17-of-22 field goal attempts. His career-long field goal is 56 yards, coming against Texas State in his freshman season.
“He’s been consistent from long range,” Brown said. “I think he’s six of seven from 50 plus, which is nice. But he’s got to continue to do it day in and day out. But he is really good right now, so we’re looking forward to keeping him going.”
Meanwhile, sophomore kicker Adam Samaha is also having a good camp, competing with Zvada on the point-scoring kicks. Samaha could also be in line for some kickoff opportunities, alongside senior Tommy Doman and junior Hudson Hollenbeck.
As the Wolverines’ primary kickoff man last season, Doman has the experience card and will likely take the majority of the duties this year as well, but Samaha and Hollenbeck can provide encouraging depth. Brown praised all three’s kickoffs from practice the other day.
“They all booted it,” Brown said. “They all created really great hang times. They all had really good control. … Definitely experience will play a factor, and Tommy has been the guy. He was the full guy last year, but if we do need to take some off his plate, I think we got really good guys that are behind him as well.”
As Doman will try to pin opposing teams deep, Michigan’s return units will work to ensure that doesn’t happen to them. The infamous Rose Bowl game showcased the importance of poise under pressure in the return game, and the Wolverines believe they have plenty of composed yet explosive options.
Sophomore receiver Semaj Morgan and junior receiver Tyler Morris have experience returning and will continue to be large contributors. Both are fast and skilled with the ball in their hands, but as their offensive roles grow this season, additional ball carriers are expected to bolster the return game as well.
“There’s gonna be a lot of athletes back there,” Brown said. “We’re gonna try to get the most explosive guy with the ball in his hands, and we’re gonna try to go score as much as we can or get great field position for our offense.”
Special teams plays may not always seem as glamorous as scoring touchdowns or nabbing interceptions, but the Wolverines know that even one play — positive or negative — they can decide a game. As such, offensive and defensive starters embrace opportunities to contribute on special teams, earning praise from coaches regarding the team’s selfless culture.
Because they only have one play to work with, special teams units need to be dependable and consistent. Taking their cue from Brown, Michigan’s special teams players are seizing each opportunity one pitch at a time.
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