The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1265378
THE WOLVERINE 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 15 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL "I think Michigan definitely prepared me well [for the NFL]. There's no doubt about it, with having Coach Harbaugh there. He runs the Michigan team like an NFL team most of the time. I feel like just going through that and camps and spring ball, and just talking to other guys who went to Michigan that are in the NFL — I've heard a lot of NFL camps are easier than ours. So I feel like Coach Harbaugh definitely prepares us well and does a good job." — Former U-M tight end Sean McKeon in May, two weeks after he signed a free agent deal with the Dallas Cowboys "He has that length and size, and can really be either at the three-technique or the end. He's definitely athletic enough for it, almost like a [Houston Texans All- Pro defensive end] J.J. Watt-esque sort of guy." — Former Michigan defensive end Craig Roh, on current U-M junior defensive end Aidan Hutchinson 3rd Is where Michigan-Ohio State ranks among all rivalries in college football, ac- cording to Lindy's Sports. "The consistent, decades- long excellence of these programs has made their meeting one of the marquee matches every season, even when it's lopsided," they wrote. 4 "Ifs" could turn Michigan into a national title contender in 2020 according to ESPN.com's Bill Connelly. The four items on the checklist were: if 2021 arrives early and U-M's young talent develops quickly, if a new offensive line jells, if "Big Game" Don Brown returns and the defense plays to the level of its best competition, and if the red zone is friendlier after the Wolverines ranked 34th nation- ally in offensive points per scoring opportunity (4.9) and 115th in defensive points per scoring opportu- nity (5.0). 51.2 Percent of the 258 quarterback pres- sures (sacks, hits and hurries) U-M col- lected last year return to the roster this season, including two of the top three in junior defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (tied for first, 46) and senior defensive end Kwity Paye (37). Redshirt sophomore Cameron McGrone ranked sixth overall and was just one behind linebacker leader Jordan Glasgow, who had 24. Was Michigan's missed tackle rate last year, according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked second in the Football Bowl Subdivision, trailing only Northwestern (4.8). The outlet awarded four defenders who played regularly impressive tackling grades of higher than 80.0. However, only one of those four returns in 2020 — senior safety BRAD HAWKINS (83.9, which was third on U-M). THEY SAID IT 5.1% 5.1% "Zak loves Coach Warinner. We had a chance to meet him during the recruiting process, and what's been good for me to see as a parent is that everything he promised throughout the process has not only played out the way he said it would, but then some." — Paul Zinter, the father of U-M freshman offensive lineman ZAK ZINTER, on position coach Ed Warinner PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL "Thomas lined up in press on over 81 percent of his coverage snaps [in 2019], which was the fourth-highest rate in football, and allowed just a 53.3 passer rating on targets thrown his way in that alignment. Among returners, Thomas is easily one of the top 10 press- man outside corners." — Pro Football Focus, tabbing Michigan senior AMBRY THOMAS as the Big Ten's top returning cornerback in 2020 PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN