The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1133482
110 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW Veteran end Chase Winovich, too, was a de- facto captain with his all-out effort in both practices and games, and so was departed cornerback David Long. Metellus didn't hesitate to step into the vacated role this spring. He made his pres- ence known during one practice in particular when he thought the energy wasn't where he needed it to be, and he hasn't looked back. "At this point, this is my last year, so I want to do whatever I have to do to help the team win," Metellus said. "If that means I have to step up and be the more vocal guy on the team … if that means I have to sit back and let someone else do that, then I'll do it. "Whatever it takes to win, that's what I'm going to. Me being a senior this year, I've got a lot of say in a lot of things — being a leader on this team. It's just a new challenge, and I'm up for it." By all accounts, it's been rubbing off. His fellow veterans on the back line have followed his lead in holding one another accountable; specifically, juniors J'Marick Woods and Brad Hawkins, Metellus re- ported. Hawkins is now a backup to both and is battling for the starting nickelback spot, but he's taken constructive criticism and given plenty back. Metellus is more than willing to take it, part of his maturing process over the last four years. "I'm happy to see that because in the de- fensive backfield, we need a lot of leaders," he said. "The stuff we do is not normal to other defenses and other offenses. Having guys come along early in the offseason is a real help to guys like me who are trying to lead the defensive backs." After all, there's more adversity likely to come. No team goes through a football season without it, and when those tough times come, it will take mental toughness and fortitude to get through it. "Personally, I want to be one of those guys when adversity hits, something hits the fan, the team looks to me. Then lead them through that. I want to be that guy who plays every play 100 percent and the team knows they can count on me when stuff happens." METELLUS Last year, Metellus tied for the team lead in interceptions (three) and ranked fifth in tackles (48) on his way to earning first-team All-Big Ten ac- colades from the Associated Press. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN