The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1111798
MAY 2019 THE WOLVERINE 35 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL pects to line up some at defensive end in the fall. To play this new position, he has bulked up in the offseason and said he now weighs 250 pounds after playing at 238 last season. "They're just trying to get me on the field as much as possible to use my skill set to help the team," he said. The move to play both positions was a no-brainer because he is willing to do whatever is needed. "Anything to help the team win, it doesn't matter what it is," Uche said. "I had to create my role last year as a pass rusher to help the team." In addition to playing at defensive end, he also has to deal with the added attention opposing teams will show him after his successful junior season. After breaking out early in the year, teams began to block him differently. That led to a downturn in his produc- tion, where he was limited to just three tackles — none for loss — in the final four games of the campaign. "Later on in the season, I started to have guys slide to me," Uche said. "I'm just preparing myself mentally every day assuming everyone is giving me their best shot." The Miami native noted he is seeing that in practice now, which will only help when the fall comes around. He is ready to step into an even larger role with two of Michigan's best pass rush- ers, Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich, heading to the NFL. "I feel like our motivation is holding each other accountable and depending on each other," Uche said. "We don't want to let the guy next to us down. That's what we use. "We know we're looked down upon as a group out of the whole defense to not do as well. That's okay because that's for us to prove to the world wrong." — Andrew Hussey Fall 2019 Projected Depth Chart Senior defensive end/linebacker Josh Uche led the team with 7.0 sacks last year after notching just one quarterback takedown in his first two years on campus. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Junior wideouts Donovan Peoples-Jones (left) and Nico Collins were limited this spring due to injury, but both are expected to be in the starting lineup when Michigan's season opener rolls around next fall. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL OFFENSE Pos. Starter Backup QB Sr. Shea Patterson R-So. Dylan McCaffrey RB R-Fr. Christian Turner Sr. Tru Wilson WR Jr. Donovan Peoples-Jones So. Ronnie Bell WR Jr. Nico Collins R-So. Oliver Martin WR R-So. Tarik Black Fr. Mike Sainristil TE Sr. Sean McKeon R-Jr. Nick Eubanks LT 5th-Sr. Jon Runyan R-Fr. Ryan Hayes LG Sr. Ben Bredeson R-So. Chuck Filiaga C Jr. Cesar Ruiz R-Jr. Stephen Spanellis RG Sr. Michael Onwenu R-So. Joel Honigford RT R-Fr. Jalen Mayfield R-So. Andrew Stueber DEFENSE Pos. Starter Backup DE Jr. Kwity Paye R-So. Luiji Vilain DT R-So. Donovan Jeter R-Jr. Michael Dwumfour DT Sr. Carlo Kemp Jr. Ben Mason DE So. Aidan Hutchinson 5th-Sr. Mike Danna Viper Sr. Khaleke Hudson 5th-Sr. Jordan Glasgow LB Jr. Josh Ross R-So. Jordan Anthony LB R-Jr. Devin Gil R-Fr. Cameron McGrone CB Sr. Lavert Hill Jr. Jaylen Kelly-Powell CB Jr. Ambry Thomas R-Fr. Vincent Gray S Sr. Josh Metellus Jr. Brad Hawkins S Jr. J'Marick Woods Fr. Daxton Hill SPECIAL TEAMS Pos. Starter Backup K So. Jake Moody R-Jr. Quinn Nordin P R-Jr. Will Hart R-So. Brad Robbins KR So. Ronnie Bell Jr. Ambry Thomas PR Jr. Donovan Peoples-Jones Fr. Mike Sainristil