The Wolverine

March 2013 - Signing Day Edition

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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football recruiting issue Patrick Kugler Is Well Prepared For Future Battles Offensive line just isn���t the spot for true freshmen in college to step in and take over. There���s simply too much physical development that needs to take place, along with the learning the intricacies of blocking techniques, schemes, etc. Some face a bigger climb than others in that process, though. While 6-5, 280-pound Patrick Kugler of Wexford, Pa., needs to grow in various ways, he���s closer to the goal of becoming a Michigan offensive lineman than the typical rookie. When one���s father coached the offensive line for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it tends to ramp up the development process. Sean Kugler now serves as head coach at UTEP, and his son is ready to demonstrate what he has learned. According to North Allegheny High coach Art Walker, that���s plenty. ���He���s not going to be intimidated by anybody,��� Walker said of Kugler, who helped lead his high school team to a 45-2 record over three varsity seasons. ���He wants to go against the best guys, and he wants us to run behind him whenever we need the tough yards. From a physical standpoint, he���s a great run blocker, a great pass blocker, and he���s versatile from that standpoint that he played right and left tackle for us.��� Michigan has already identified Kugler as a prime candidate for the Kugler did not play center in high school, but he shifted gears to do so at the Under Armour All-Star Game in January, getting an entire half at the crucial spot. photo courtesy rivals.com center position in Ann Arbor, and Walker assures he can make that transition. Although Kugler played no center in high school, he shifted gears to do so at the Under Armour All-Star Game in January, getting an entire half at the crucial spot. ���He played fantastic,��� Walker said. ���He didn���t have any bad snaps, whether under center or in the gun. It proves what he can do, versatilitywise, and what they���re getting as far as a very marketable offensive lineman that can play a lot of different spots.��� Kugler goes well beyond versatile. Walker noted he can���t be intimidated, and possesses the physical skills to perform against quick and powerful defensive linemen. Kugler showed his coach as a junior that he could hold his own with

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