The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/111015
all U-M freshman records, in averaging 15.6 yards per catch. We���d expect him to be targeted even more in 2013 if he continues to progress outside of game day. 3. Mario Ojemudia ��� The defensive end showed signs of his explosive pass rushing ability in his freshman year. He notched an impressive tackle for loss and forced fumble in the Outback Bowl after healing from an undisclosed injury that slowed him late in the year. He will likely be the Wolverines��� best in that role in 2013 ���- and the sky���s the limit on how good that could be. Quarterback Devin Gardner threw for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, and he could be poised for a special senior campaign in 2013. photo by lon horwedel 4. James Ross ��� The sophomoreto-be linebacker brings something to his game the Michigan defense has been lacking ��� speed. He also has great instincts for the position, which he showed on occasion in racking up 36 tackles as a true freshman, earning a spot on ESPN.com���s All-Big Ten freshman squad. He registered 12 of his tackles in one game, a win over Iowa, in a dominant showing. 5. Blake Countess ��� How much better could the Wolverines have been in 2012 had Countess not gone down with a knee injury early in the first game? We���ll never know. We do know, however, that the redshirt sophomore has the ability to be one of the Big Ten���s best corners, something he showed in a freshman year in which he notched 44 tackles and six passes broken up.