ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan Wolverines offensive coordinator Jason Beck believes the team already has a foundation on offense entering fall camp.
Now comes the challenge of developing a passing attack to complement it.
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Speaking after Michigan’s first preseason practice on Wednesday (Aug. 5), Beck said the Wolverines’ running game stands out as the offense’s early strength, while the passing game remains a work in progress.
“We feel really good about the run game,” Beck said. “The running backs, having the quarterback be a part of that, the offensive line being productive in there with the tight ends. We feel the run game’s strong.”
Beck said Michigan must continue developing chemistry in the passing game as quarterbacks and receivers grow more comfortable within the new offense.
“It’s a matter of taking steps forward in the other areas in the pass game,” Beck said. “We’re still working to find our identity, kind of find our path and direction.”
The first-year coordinator at the University of Michigan praised the team’s offseason preparation, saying players returned from summer workouts noticeably improved.
“You can tell they had a really good summer,” Beck said. “That’s a credit to the strength staff, but it’s also a reflection of the kids, their buy-in and their commitment.”
Beck knows firsthand the challenges Michigan’s offense faces daily against defensive coordinator Jay Hill’s complex scheme after coaching against Hill last season while both were at BYU and Utah, respectively.
“What stands out with coach Hill is they’re very sound,” Beck said. “You won’t play anybody that does more variation with the fronts, disguising the coverages and the complements to those things.”
The daily work against multiple defensive looks, Beck said, should help accelerate the offense’s development.
Michigan is also emphasizing flexibility within its passing concepts.
Beck explained that receivers are taught to adjust routes based on defensive leverage rather than simply running predetermined patterns.
“It can’t always be this static thing that you draw on the paper,” Beck said. “Those routes need to adjust.”
He stressed that the freedom comes within the offense’s structure rather than allowing receivers to improvise freely.
“It’s not like just a free-for-all,” Beck said. “Within that route, I have this leeway to get open.”
Quarterback development
Beck compared Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood’s athletic traits to those of former Utah quarterback Devon Dampier, noting both can threaten defenses with their legs while extending plays outside the pocket.
“They’re both athletic,” Beck said. “They can use their feet as part of the run game to be a threat to the defense.”
Beck also praised Underwood’s work ethic and command of the offense since arriving in January.
“What is really impressive about Bryce is he is a really hard worker,” Beck said. “He clearly studies and prepares and works hard and learns.”
Beck said Underwood spent the offseason refining his footwork after spring practice.
“We wanted to focus on certain things with his drop and his feet,” Beck said. “That looked good today.”
Offensive line competition
Competition remains open across Michigan’s offensive line despite strong spring performances from Jake Guarnera and Andrew Sprague, Beck said.
He also highlighted the importance of the Wolverines’ “Rhino” package, which uses a sixth offensive lineman in heavy formations named after former player Chris Elmore from Syracuse University.
“We’re just looking for physicality,” Beck said. “It’s about being physical to run the football and then hold up in pass protection.”
Beck said the package became a major part of Utah’s offense because the sixth offensive lineman often provided a better matchup than another skill-position player.
Freshmen making an impression
Freshman running back Savion Hiter has already caught Beck’s attention because of his relentless effort.
“There is no such thing as not full speed with that kid,” Beck said. “He just cannonballs in, and it’s full go.”
Beck said that mentality often allows freshmen to contribute quickly.
“When you have freshmen like that, they have a chance to play early,” Beck said.
Beck also identified receivers Travis Johnson and Salesi Moa among the newcomers competing for early playing time.
Physical, multiple identity
Asked how he wants Michigan’s offense to be known, Beck pointed to physicality and unpredictability rather than gadget plays.
“We want to be physical,” Beck said. “We want to be really hard to defend.”
The offense is designed to present multiple personnel groupings, formations and motions while operating at tempo, making it more difficult for defenses to identify tendencies before the snap.
“I never want to be that guy on offense that when they’re watching the team line up, they can call out what they’re doing,” Beck said.
Despite optimism about the offense’s progress, Beck echoed former head coach Sherrone Moore’s measured approach entering the season.
“We’re very blue collar,” Beck said. “You just come in and work every day, and the results will take care of themselves.”