The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1222671
APRIL 2020 THE WOLVERINE 49 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL group played in stretches during the 35-16 loss to Alabama, but acknowl- edged that weaknesses are exposed against teams with such dynamic speed. That will help them evaluate when it comes to improving, he said. As for the OSU problem — the gap isn't that huge, he insisted. "We just need to play the way we're capable of playing," he said. "I know that sounds like rhetoric, but don't make the stage too big. Just prepare and play the game the way you're capable of playing and just play at a high level. Make sure we're prepared. "Really, the big thing that we've done a good job of is we're building it into our practice schedule, but stay even-keeled about it. Make sure that we're focused on the task at hand and technique, fundamentals. We've got to just play the game the way that we're capable of playing. Don't make the stage too big." — Chris Balas SHEA PATTERSON WANTED TO RETURN TO MICHIGAN FOR A FIFTH YEAR IN 2020 Former Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson revealed Feb. 26 at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis that he was interested in returning to Ann Arbor for a potential fifth season in 2020. Patterson only played in three games as a freshman at Ole Miss in 2016, and therefore could have at least petitioned to the NCAA to re- ceive a retroactive redshirt for that year. The signal-caller said he would not have received a decision until this past February, however, which basi- cally left him with no choice other than to move on from U-M and begin his preparation for the NFL. "That's a big risk," he said while discussing his decision not to wait for the NCAA's ruling. "I would have had to pass up the [January] Senior Bowl and training. If I didn't get that fifth year, I would have been stuck in no-man's land. "I wasn't ready [to leave Michi- gan]. I loved playing here and wanted to be sure about [having the option to return for] another year, in order to play with my teammates and the coaching staff. "I thought it would have been awesome to have that sureness of, 'Hey, I can come back for another season and grow.' It would have been really nice to have an extra year and more than one season in an of- fense in college." — Austin Fox DEVIN GIL PUTS HIS NAME INTO THE TRANSFER PORTAL Linebacker Devin Gil announced on social media March 10 that he had entered his name into the transfer portal, and will subsequently be al- lowed to play immediately next year as a fifth-year senior at a school of his choosing. Gil was buried on the Wolverines' depth chart last year (just 54 defen- sive snaps all season), and was not likely to earn a starting role in 2020 with redshirt sophomore Cameron McGrone and redshirt junior Josh Ross each returning to the club's line- backing unit (the latter started the first three games of 2019 before get- ting injured, while the former took over and started the final 10). Gil redshirted as a freshman in 2016 and contributed as a backup in 2017, before starting all 13 games as a redshirt sophomore in 2018 and rack- ing up 33 tackles, 3.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 1.5 sacks. The Pembroke Pines, Fla., native fell out of the defensive rotation entirely last season, however, only appearing in six games on that side of the ball and playing 15 or fewer snaps in all six contests. He concluded his U-M career with 47 tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 39 games played. He posted a heartfelt message on social media March 10 to say to his final goodbyes. "First, I would like to thank the University of Michigan for providing me with the opportunity to earn my college degree while pursuing my love of football," he wrote. "I would also like to thank Coach [Jim] Har- baugh and [defensive coordinator] Coach [Don] Brown for the knowl- edge that I have gained and for the experiences that I was fortunate enough to have participated in here at the University of Michigan. To the fans who have supported me, thank you for not doubting me. I appreciate all of you. After speaking with my family I have decided to enter the transfer portal for my fifth year. I will forever be thankful for everything I received and accomplished at U of M and will forever be a Michigan man. Go Blue." — Austin Fox Patterson only played in three games as a freshman at Ole Miss in 2016, but ultimately opted not to pursue the risky option of petitioning the NCAA for a retroactive redshirt. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL