The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/116680
Digital Bonus: Click the icon to play or stop the podcast Former Michigan All-Big Ten offensive lineman Doug Skene joins the staff of TheWolverine.com to preview spring practice. Position Switch And Injuries Make Early News Sophomore Dennis Norfleet sacrificed to jump in among the defensive backs for the bowl game, U-M head coach Brady Hoke noted. But his heart remained at running back, and he's returned there this spring. "He did a heck of a job for us in a lot of ways in the return game," Hoke said. "We'll get him back there more for punts and work on that part of it Norfleet a little more. "He jumped in to play some corner for the bowl game, when we lost J.T. [Floyd]. It was something selfless, and that's what you love about Dennis. He wanted to come back and compete at running back. He's pretty good with the ball in his hands. I'm all for it." Meanwhile, Michigan will tread lightly with those recovering from injury this spring. The names that jump out are those of fifth-year senior tailback Fitzgerald Toussaint, rehabilitating a broken leg from late last season, and redshirt sophomore cornerback Blake Countess, who injured a knee in the opener against Alabama last fall. "They'll both do some things," Hoke said. "I don't think we'll put them in contact situations, but some individual drills. Fitz is running pretty hard on the side. He's just not doing a lot of cutting yet. "It's the same thing with Blake. They're both further along than people though, but we're not going to rush anybody into it." Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Chris Wormley, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in a knee early last year, could see action in the spring. Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Chris Bryant is mending from a broken leg and will be restricted in some ways. "We're going to be smart," Hoke said. "Chris Bryant is doing better. He's coming back. I like that, because he was really coming on last fall before he got hurt." — John Borton