The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1265378
THE WOLVERINE 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 99 LINEBACKERS PRESEASON ANALYSIS: LINEBACKERS STARTERS ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Michigan's linebackers start from strength, with redshirt sophomore Cam McGrone coming back off a strong starting debut last year and redshirt junior Josh Ross enjoying extensive knowledge of defensive coordinator Don Brown's system. After that, there are more question marks than immediate answers. Will Ross take the next step in becoming a force for the Wolverines as an inside linebacker? Does redshirt sophomore Michael Barrett perform well as a starting viper, if he wins the job, and if he doesn't who gets the call? How does the host of young linebackers come along, and who might be ready if someone goes down? All of that represents a potentially significant concern. DEPTH ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This could change substantially over the course of the season, but it's a weak spot at the moment. The experience just isn't there, and the Wolverines are counting on freshmen and redshirt freshmen for the bulk of their depth at this point. If injuries hit, it's a baptism by fire for someone. X-FACTOR This would almost have to involve one of the true fresh- men, such as Kalel Mullings or William Mohan, proving so good at adapting early he could provide some situational help. OVERALL ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This crew has plenty of potential, and Mc- Grone looks like an All-Big Ten player in the making. But the next wave has to hit the ground running, and this isn't a spot to be playing a lot of inexperience. Development here has to be a priority, because if this crew gets caught short, all three levels of the defense suffer. Ross recorded 18 tackles in his limited action last season, and for his career has 83 stops, five tackles for loss and a sack. He should see ample opportunity to expand those stats in 2020. "He's been around the program for a long time," Van Bergen said. "Being a veteran is never a bad thing. Having him there with Cam is a good thing. He's been with Don Brown his whole career, and anything Cam doesn't know — and McGrone doesn't feel comfortable asking Don Brown — he can ask Josh Ross. "Josh Ross hasn't been able to get a full season together. He's a good linebacker. I don't know if he has the potential McGrone does, but he's a very solid guy. You wouldn't trade him with 11 of the teams you play. "He's a good player. It's a matter of stay- ing healthy and making the plays that come to him. Having Cam McGrone next to him is going to make that a little easier for him." Barrett, meanwhile, saw action in a dozen games last season, recording seven tackles. He got a taste of defensive action in two contests, along with playing special teams. Van Bergen noted that for Brown to be talking about Barrett the way he does, there's obviously an upside to keep a close eye on. Brown also noted he has a potential viper in true freshman William Mohan, along with other options at the spot. "I don't want to place undue pressure on William Mohan," Brown said. "He'll be a very good player. We call him Apache. He's a true freshman, but has that kind of ability. "Obviously, we have a number of guys at the safety position, where it would be smooth as silk to drop them into the viper position with one of those guys, if need be. Even though there are a lot of jobs there, that might be a little bit easier for guys to grasp than the rover free safety position we utilize on the back end." Speaking of freshmen, Michigan reloaded significantly there in the 2020 class. Brown noted there will be no lack of understudies at the linebacker spots. YEAR-BY-YEAR RUSHING YARDS ALLOWED Rushing Yards Rushing Yards Yards Year Allowed Per Game Per Carry 2019 1,582 121.7 3.2 2018 1,656 127.4 3.7 2017 1,572 120.9 3.5 2016 1,550 119.2 3.2 2015 1,589 122.2 3.6 2014 1,412 117.7 3.2 2013 1,822 140.2 3.8 2012 1,957 150.5 3.8 2011 1,712 131.7 4.0 2010 2,456 188.9 4.4 Despite never playing defense in a college game prior to last season, redshirt sopho- more Cameron McGrone stepped into the lineup to start 10 games, and finished fifth on the squad with 66 tackles and fourth with 9.5 tackles for loss. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL