Michigan Football: 5 players trending up after spring 2019

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Ambry Thomas #1 of the Michigan Wolverines returns a kickoff for a touchdown while playing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Ambry Thomas #1 of the Michigan Wolverines returns a kickoff for a touchdown while playing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Can Jim Harbaugh finally get Michigan football over that hump? He’ll need these five guys to continue their upward climb after strong spring showings.

The pressure is on. No longer is Urban Meyer pacing the sideline at Ohio State and the expectations will be at an all-time high for Michigan football and Jim Harbaugh.

If Harbaugh can’t bring home a Big Ten East title or conference championship, his time in Ann Arbor could be winding down. Sure, he’s one of the top coaches in the conference, but he has been in town for four years, going on five, and not having a single division or conference title in that time should be an eye-opener for the athletic department — especially for how much he’s getting paid.

Michigan always has high expectations but this year is a little different. Can the Wolverines exceed expectations in 2019?

Which Wolverines are trending up after spring?

Don Brown has been praising his linebackers this spring and he claims that he feels extremely good about this group going forward, per MLive.

McGrone, a former five-star, is listed third on the depth chart at the Mike linebacker position but according to Brown, he benefitted from Josh Ross being sidelined this spring. He had a strong spring game and flashed his speed and athleticism.

"“Cam McGrone is fast,” Brown said. “Which means brains are on, ‘I know how to go, I know where to go, I know what I got to do.’ Now his ability to play fast is being met with concept understanding. So, (I’m) happy with him.”"

Can the Wolverines find a way to get McGrone onto the field after having been in the system for a full year? Brown will find a way to utilize McGrone and get him onto the field early and often in 2019.

This kid has improved his stock and could be the next big linebacker to come through the system.