The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/116680
Kovacs, notching 148 tackles, three interceptions and four passes broken up, but has yet to emerge as the playmaking safety the Maize and Blue covet, and he will be pushed by senior Marvin Robinson, redshirt junior Josh Furman, sophomore Jarrod Wilson, redshirt freshman Jeremy Clark and freshman Dymonte Thomas. Among those six, Michigan's coaches will figure out their two best and divvy up the responsibilities between them. "Then you decide which one is better against the run [strong safety] and which one is better playing the pass [free]," Mattison said. Redshirt sophomore Blake Countess has been cleared to practice after missing the 2012 season following an ACL tear early in the opener against Alabama, but will be brought along slowly. In his limited stead, the Wolverines will rely on senior Courtney Avery and junior Raymon Taylor to anchor the cornerback position. Sophomore Terry Richardson, junior Delonte Hollowell and early enrollee freshman Ross Douglas are also in the mix, but like Avery — who played at 5-11, 173 pounds last fall — they must get bigger. "You can't play in this league when you're 170 pounds," Mattison said. "Your job is to get as strong as you can, and get bigger. If you don't add some size and some muscle, it doesn't matter how talented you are. 'We took you knowing you're 5-11 or 5-10 or shorter, but we expect you to become stronger and bigger so you can become more physical.'" ❑