The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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APRIL 2020 THE WOLVERINE 41 2020 FOOTBALL ANALYSIS.. LINEBACKERS 6.1 Tackles for loss averaged by the Wolverines per game in 2019, pro- ducing a tie for 58th in the nation and a number U-M hopes to improve in 2020. 19.5 Of U-M's 37 sacks last year (52.7 per- cent) were recorded by linebackers, if hybrid defender Uche counts for the linebackers. Even if Uche's quarter- back takedowns don't count for the position group, they still combined for 11. 121.7 Average rushing yards given up by the Wolverines a year ago, good for No. 22 in the nation. 191 Combined tackles last year by Hudson and Glasgow, who finished 1-2 on the team in total stops. Uche chipped in 35 more, meaning the linebacker trio accounted for more than one-quarter (26.3 per- cent) of the team's 860 tackles. POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH While Barrett stands as a logical choice to plug in at viper, he won't be given anything. Other returners could challenge, and talented freshman William Mohan projects to that spot as well. WHO'S GONE Viper Khaleke Hudson Hudson, a 2019 captain, started 36 games and appeared in 52 over his four-year Michigan ca- reer. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior, leading U-M with 102 tackles. As a sophomore, he notched eight tackles for loss against Minnesota, setting a Michigan record and tying the NCAA single-game record. Inside linebacker Jordan Glasgow Glasgow started all 13 games in his final season, finishing second on the Wolverines with 89 tack- les, including five sacks. He earned the Roger Zat- koff Award as the team's best linebacker, along with Michigan's Blue Collar Award as a senior. Outside linebacker Josh Uche The Wolverines lost arguably their best pass rusher in this hybrid defender, who led the team with 8.5 sacks and eight quarterback hur- ries, while finishing second in tackles for loss (11.5). The QB-seeking specialist also forced a pair of fumbles and recovered one in 2019. WHO'S BACK Redshirt sophomore inside linebacker Cam McGrone McGrone became the most pleasant surprise among the 'backers, when veteran Josh Ross went out with injury. McGrone earned honorable men- tion All-Big Ten, posting a dozen tackles in Michi- gan's rout of Notre Dame, 9.5 tackles for loss on the year and firmly establishing himself for 2020. Redshirt junior inside linebacker Josh Ross Ross didn't see the field between the Big Ten opener and the bowl game against Alabama, sidelined by injury. He's looking to come back strong for the Wolverines this season, after play- ing in 26 games as a freshman and sophomore. Redshirt sophomore viper Michael Barrett Barrett appears to be the man to beat at viper, following Hudson's departure. His standout moments in 2019 actually occurred on special teams, when he rushed a fake punt 14 yards at Maryland and tossed a 25-yard completion to Daxton Hill versus Army. He'll get a shot to take a higher profile on defense in 2020. TOP NEWCOMER Freshman Kalel Mullings Watch out for the standout from Milton (Mass.) Academy. The 6-1, 220-pound Mullings was the 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year in Massachusetts, a mobile linebacker who can deliver a knockout punch on arrival. BY JOHN BORTON "Speed kills. We are going to have speed and power, and it's going to be fun to watch these guys just unleash the hounds." — Michigan All-American Jon Jansen QUOTABLE T he Wolverines face another year of change at linebacker, with two veterans who combined for 26 starts in 2019 now out of the picture. They developed some talent along the way, though, and it's looking to step up to the challenge in 2020. Perhaps the most impactful new face for the Wolverines will be linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary, hired by head coach Jim Har- baugh in the offseason. Jean-Mary, a 21-year coaching veteran, will work with defensive coordinator Don Brown to fashion the next crew of U-M 'backers. There are plenty of stops to be made, with the Wolverines los- ing their two top tacklers of 2019, both linebackers, to the end of their eligibility. BY THE NUMBERS CAM McGRONE PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL