The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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michigan football peared in five games as Denard Robinson's backup, completing 4 of 21 attempts for 46 yards with four interceptions. He played the final few minutes of the second quarter and the entire second half against Nebraska, completing just 3 of 16 attempts with three picks in a 23-9 loss to the Cornhuskers. Bellomy became the scapegoat for many Michigan fans, and he was aware of the public perception, seeking to change it this spring. "He's highly competitive," offensive coordinator Al Borges said. "When it's all said and done, he's going to give you his best effort." With Bellomy shelved, U-M turned to redshirt freshman walk-on Bryan Cleary in spring practice, and he will compete with true freshman Shane Morris when the four-star arrives in the fall. "We'll move forward and keep developing Brian Cleary and those guys that are behind Devin Gardner," Hoke said. "You're a little concerned about our quarterback situation. We have to keep Devin healthy." Meanwhile, Countess (torn ACL) and Toussaint (broken leg) are optimistic they will be 100 percent when preseason practice opens in August. Neither participated in full-contact drills this spring, but both did individual work with their position coaches. "I feel great, but I haven't pushed anything yet," said Countess, who expects to eventually compete for his old job at cornerback. "I still have to prove myself to my coaches because I'm coming off a major knee surgery but I definitely see myself earning a spot." Toussaint suffered a gruesome leg injury in week 11 against Iowa, stymieing what had been his most productive stretch all season. After averaging just 45.8 yards per game in his first seven appearances, he had 162 yards in the first two games of November and had 31 yards on three carries against the Hawkeyes before the season-ending injury. The 5-10, 200-pound ball carrier would miss the rest of the Iowa game, and the entire Ohio State and South Carolina (Outback Bowl) games. He had surgery and was in a boot for weeks, but when that boot came off, Toussaint's excitement grew. "That was the day after the bowl game; that was a step forward," said Toussaint, who feels he can be the leading ball carrier this season. "I think of myself as a guy coming out to compete, trying to be the No. 1 guy again. "I don't know how the coaches feel about it, but me personally, I'm starting from the bottom and I like it that way because I can only go up." Taylor Lewan In Charge Of Young Offensive Line Michigan got younger on the offensive line through the offseason, and wants to get better at the same time. That requires some older hands to help guide the group, and one fifthyear senior certainly stands out. That's left tackle Taylor Lewan, who opted to forego an almost cer-