University of Michigan football coaches who recruited Orchard Lake St. Mary's graduate Morgan Trent expected the speedster to eventually catch passes delivered by Wolverines quarterbacks.

But after a springtime position switch, it appears that any catches the redshirt sophomore makes for U-M will be interceptions.

About two weeks prior to spring practice, Trent spoke with head coach Lloyd Carr and defensive backs coach Ron English, who suggested that a switch to cornerback would accelerate Trent's progress toward the playing field.

"We looked at how many receivers we brought in," Trent recalled, "compared to how many DB's we brought in. We looked at, overall, what's going to be better for me for the future, and especially, what's going to be best for the team. That came out to me playing corner, to see how it goes through the spring."

So how did it go? After Michigan's final spring practice, Trent said, "it went pretty well; The transition went pretty smooth."

He planned to speak with Carr again regarding the switch, but based on Carr's post-practice comments, Trent can count on remaining at corner.

Carr said Trent's move to cornerback went "very, very well. I think all he needs is some time. He runs extremely well. He's very competitive. He's tough and he's very smart. I think that will turn out to be a great move for us. I think he likes it there. I think he's really come a long way in a short time and I think he's going to definitely be a factor this fall."

Trent confirmed that he enjoys playing cornerback.

"Playing DB is more fun to me" than wide receiver, he said. "I'm a little more loose out there playing corner. As I play, as I get more comfortable, I'm going to get a lot more loose as well."

Trent had success at receiver and safety at St. Mary's. A three-year starter, he caught 84 passes for 1,533 and 16 touchdowns. On the other side of the ball he made 117 solo tackles and broke current U-M teammate Grant Mason's career interception mark, with 23.

But playing defensive back in college is much different than in high school, Trent explained.

"In high school I played safety. I kind of just sat back there and played centerfield. It's a whole different game in college. The quarterbacks and everybody else are more skilled. So you can't sit back there. You've got to definitely run on technique."

Trent didn't see action during his freshman year at U-M, during which he worked out with the receiving crew. But the Wolverines graduated two of their top three cornerbacks, creating an opening that Trent will try to help fill.

Trent believes that "corner is a lot tougher than wide receiver. There's a lot more technique involved. But I'm making the switch, and I think I'm doing pretty well. I'm getting more comfortable as we go. I feel pretty good, with spring ball being done. So I'm looking forward to doing a lot of work in the summer, so I can come out in the fall and be even more comfortable."

The transition is tougher mentally than physically, Trent said, as he learns Michigan's defensive coverages.

"It's mind-boggling how much stuff you've got to know," he said. "At receiver, I thought I had to know a lot, with the playbook and the routes. But on defense we're reading motion, and what (the offense) is doing, and we've got to base (coverages) off that."

The Wolverines return one starting cornerback, Leon Hall. Mason is the front runner to start at the other corner. Trent and Mason didn't play together in high school, but the St. Mary's bond remains.

"Grant, that's my man," Trent said. "He's definitely helping me out. We're real close as a secondary. We're always meeting and hanging out. Between him and Leon and Darnell (Hood), they're helping me out tremendously."

Trent will be the fourth ex-Eaglet to play for Michigan in recent years, following in the footsteps of DiAllo Johnson and Jermaine Gonzales - both of whom have graduated  - and Mason. A fifth, Chris McLaurin, will join the team next season.

The St. Mary's players "love the program up here," Trent says. "It's like we have a little pipeline."

Trent will spend the summer "just working on techniques, and studying. We've got so much to study. Just going from pedaling, to coverage, and all that, there's so much. It's going to be a tough summer. I can't take any time off. I've got to definitely get on it."

But Trent may not have abandoned the offense completely. During the final spring practice he lined up as a slot receiver during the two-minute drill. He also did some punt and kickoff returning, so he may yet get a chance to run with the ball for Michigan.

But Trent's goal for his first college season is simple, and it's focused on the defensive backfield.

"I definitely want to get on the field," he said. "That's obvious. I definitely want to get a starting spot, especially in the nickel and dime (coverages), for sure. And then go from there. As long as I'm on the field, I'm happy."