The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 103 LINEBACKERS lost translation in concept as a result, Brown reported. Ross' misfortune opened the door for redshirt sophomore Jordan Anthony, a former Rivals.com five-star prospect. The 6-0, 245-pounder played in seven games last year (only four at linebacker), totaling three tackles with a sack, but Brown said he took advantage of his opportunity in the spring. "I think Jordan Anthony logged if not the most snaps … he's up in that one, two, three for participation award," Brown explained. Anthony was a factor during the final spring scrimmage, showing a nose for the ball. McGrone, too, got more reps as a result of Ross' setback. The 6-1, 228-pounder showed great closing speed in the spring and seems to have a bright future. He could play either inside position. "McGrone is fast, and now I'm finally saying Cam McGrone is fast, which means, 'My brain's on … I know how to go, I know where to go and I know what I've got to do,'" Brown noted. "Now his ability to play fast is being met with concept understanding, so I'm happy with him. "I think he played really well the last four or five practices. Couldn't be better." Gil, the 6-1, 231-pound redshirt junior, meanwhile, had a very good spring at weakside linebacker. He'll be the odds-on favorite to start again after opening all 13 games in 2018, notching 33 tackles with 3.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. "Devin is playing really solid, did a good job with his body [in the offseason]," Brown said. "He's faster, never makes a misstep. But he'd better watch out because old [Jordan] Glasgow is making a lot of plays." The fifth-year senior Glasgow doesn't have his former Wolverine brothers' (linemen Ryan and Graham) size, but he more than makes up for it with heart. He has been an outstanding special teams player in each of his three seasons and notched a career-best 28 tackles last year with two sacks and a forced fumble. The 6-1, 223-pounder can play either viper — where he started twice for a suspended Khaleke Hudson last year — or weakside linebacker, and at the very least he'll provide valuable depth at both. Nobody close to the program would be surprised if he earned more snaps at linebacker this year. Play It Again, Sam Continuity was a big reason the linebacker play was so good in the spring despite Bush's absence, Brown surmised. His fourth year with the program meant the upperclassmen — guys like Ross, Gil, senior safety Josh Metellus and many others — had all been in the system their entire college careers with PRESEASON ANALYSIS: LINEBACKERS STARTERS ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Devin Bush was an All-American for a reason, and there's nobody like him to step into his vacated role. There is, however, still plenty of talent in the corps, led by redshirt junior Devin Gil, junior James Ross and senior vi- per Khaleke Hudson. The trio has plenty of experience … add hy- brid end/linebacker Josh Uche, and it looks even better. That foursome has won a lot of games and made some big plays at Michigan. DEPTH ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ There are capable bodies here, but they haven't played a whole lot. Fifth-year senior and former walk-on Jordan Glasgow has played a lot of football as a jack of all trades and could see more time than ever at line- backer, while redshirt freshman Cameron McGrone is a rising star. Redshirt freshman Jordan Anthony showed great promise in the spring. X-FACTOR Can Hudson revert to his 2017 form? The senior was dominant two seasons ago, even tying an NCAA record with eight tackles for loss in one game (a home win over Minnesota), but he only finished with 3.5 all of last season. The Wolverines need pass rushers, no matter the position, and Hudson has proven he can be one of them (eight sacks in 2017). It's paramount he has a big season. OVERALL ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This is a very good group with star power at the top in Uche and Hudson (assuming the latter returns to his 2017 form, when he posted 17.5 tackles for loss), and a solid amount of experience — but depth is a question mark. This is one of a few positions in which there aren't a lot of proven backups, but there's plenty of reason to believe this unit will be a team strength this season. QUICK FACTS Position Coaches: Anthony Campanile (first season), Don Brown (fourth). Returning Starters: Viper Khaleke Hudson (23 career starts), ILB Devin Gil (14), Viper Jordan Glasgow (2), ILB Josh Ross (1). Departing Starter: ILB Devin Bush Jr. (25). Projected New Starters: OLB Josh Uche. Top Reserves: ILB Jordan Anthony, ILB Cameron McGrone. Wait Until 2020: Charles Thomas, Anthony Solomon. Newcomers: Thomas, Solomon. Moved In: None. Moved Out: Hassan Haskins (to RB), Ben VanSumeren (to RB) Rookie Impact: None. Most Improved Player: Glasgow. Best Pro Prospect: Hudson.