Roddy Gayle Jr. is finally cleared to suit up for Michigan, and the timing gives the Wolverines the kind of experienced wing they’ve been waiting on.
Gayle received another temporary restraining order, which officially opens the door for him to play in Sunday’s exhibition against Houston.
“We’re excited about (Gayle) having an opportunity to compete with us,” Mike Boynton said. “We think what he brings is invaluable in terms of experience, but also from a skill standpoint on the perimeter.
(He’s) gonna be a great addition. Obviously, he’s been with us most of the summer, so it’s not like a new thing for our team.
But just excited to see him out there on Sunday against Houston.”
For Gayle, getting to this point wasn’t something he always thought was in the cards. Even with April chatter about the NCAA’s plan to adopt the five-in-five eligibility rule, he still didn’t see a clear road to wearing maize in the fall.
The decision to keep playing college basketball became more realistic once he wasn’t drafted or signed by an NBA team. He also made sure to check in with teammates before making the call, and their response mattered.
“I feel like ever since this had been a possibility, everybody reached out,” Gayle said. “They had pretty words and said that I could make a really big impact here. And that was one thing that was really big for me.
“When I decided when I wanted to come back, I asked the players, I asked Oscar (Goodman), people in my similar position, ‘How do you feel about me coming back?’ and they were very supportive.
I felt I could really help the team and them as well. So that was really big to me, to have not only confirmation (from) the coach but the players as well.”
In Other News...
Urban Meyer Sees One Important Thing In Michigan's QB Switch
Michigans halftime quarterback switch against Penn State drew immediate attention, but the larger issue was less about one player sitting and more about how the offense could keep moving. Bryce Underwood gave way to Tommy Carr after the first half as the unit struggled to find its rhythm, and Urban Meyer pointed to a key part of making that kind of change work in the middle of a game: having a backup whose skill set is close enough to keep the same playbook in place.
Carr gave the Wolverines some of that continuity once he took over, with the offense leaning on RPOs, quarterback counters and a speed option touchdown in the second half. For a team trying to steady itself on the fly, the fact that the game plan did not need to be reinvented made the switch easier to absorb, even if the bigger question around the position is still far from settled. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan's Defensive Front Has A Huge Chance To Flip Indiana Game
Michigans defensive front is staring at one of those games where it can shape the whole afternoon, and Larry Black knows the matchup from both sides. The Wolverines defensive tackles coach once played at Indiana, and he still remembers the 2010 meeting in which he lined up against his brother, Jibreel Black, who was then at Michigan. It gives this weeks trip an extra layer of familiarity, even as the focus remains on a game that pits two programs with different strengths and plenty on the line.
For Michigan, the front sevens ability to control Indianas offense could be the key to tilting the field. Kyle Whittingham has stressed the importance of turnover margin, and that makes every pressure, tip, and takeaway feel bigger than the down in front of it. Black sounds eager for the chance to help decide the game from the defensive side, and with his background in Bloomington, he brings a little more edge to what should already be a physical matchup. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans Indiana Prep Hinges On An Offensive Line Concern
Michigans second injury availability report for the Indiana game brought no changes from the previous day, leaving the Wolverines with the same list of players who are out, questionable or probable as the week heads toward kickoff. The biggest storyline continues to be along the offensive line, where the health of that group is shaping how much depth Michigan can count on in a game with Big Ten stakes.
There was at least a little encouragement elsewhere on the report, with coach Kyle Whittingham saying safety Rod Moores injury is minor and not expected to keep him out for long. Offensive tackle Andrew Babalola also could be back to help bolster the line, but Michigan still has to sort through the uncertainty up front before it gets to Indiana. [Read more 🡒]