The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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portunity to do that for the first time since we have been here." Miller came in with Hoke's first recruiting class and spent his first season redshirting and learning from Molk — the winner of the 2011 R i m i n g t o n Aw a rd , which is given to the nation's best center. According to the Wolverines' spring roster, Miller has gained about 10 pounds since last August, and he is now listed at 6-4, 291 pounds. Although the Wolverines have placed increasing importance on size along the line since Hoke arrived, that is a respectable profile for a center, where mobility, athleticism and technique are integral for success. For comparison, Molk was 6-2, 286 pounds his senior season. "Jack is, athletically, a good player," Borges said. "And now because he has been in the system for a couple years, he has a pretty good feel for all the line calls and those types of adjustments. He has to take that next step, that's the biggest thing for Jack. Showing us that he can be that guy. He is going to get a golden opportunity to do just that." Last year, as the second-string center, Miller got plenty of reps with redshirt junior quarterback Devin Gardner and redshirt sophomore quarterback Russell Bellomy, which will help Fifth-year senior Michael Schofield started at right tackle last year, but he played left guard in 2011. Photo by lon horwedel him transition into the starting role this year. Miller has limited game experience, having seen the field in mop-up duties in six games last season. "We need to see him consistently showing the ability to play under pressure," Borges said. "That's what it is all about. It's not occasionally or doing it most of the time. It's being able to make the line call, get the ball to the quarterback, block the first level of the defense, block the second level every time. "The center is kind of all-encompassing, because you're in the middle of the formation. There are so many things you have to be able to do, and you have to quarterback the entire line, which is a chore in and of itself." There are a few other Wolverines who could push Miller for the starting job. Redshirt junior Joey Burzynski impressed the coaching staff so much last spring that he was briefly listed as the starting left guard, over Mealer. He did warrant playing time in eight games last year. Generously listed at 6-1, 291 pounds, Burzynski doesn't have ideal size, but he makes up for it in other ways. "When Joe is on his game, he is very technique-sound," Borges explained. "That is what gives him a chance.