The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1265378
PLAYER BIOS POSITION COACHES Brian Jean-Mary is entering his first season as Michigan's lineback- ers coach after being hired in Janu- ary 2020. Jean-Mary has 21 years of coaching experience, having spent time most recently as the lineback- ers coach and recruiting coordina- tor at South Florida (2017-19), and assistant head coach/linebackers coach at Texas (2014-16) and Lou- isville (2010-13). In 2017 at South Florida, Jean-Mary helped the de- fense rank among the top 25 nationally in six catego- ries, including sacks per game (3.0, 11th) and intercep- tions (20, second). The Bulls led the American Athletic Conference in total defense (359.8 yards per game) and scoring defense (21.5 points per game), improv- ing from 120th and 92nd, respectively, the year prior. The Bulls also ranked in the top five in tackles for loss per game twice (8.4 and 8.3 per game in 2017 and '19, respectively) in his three seasons. Jean-Mary helped Texas finish among the nation's top 25 in six categories in 2014, including sacks (11th). The club averaged more than 3.0 sacks per game in all three years Jean-Mary was at Texas, and was ranked in the top five nationally during his last two seasons. The Longhorns also led the nation in fumble recoveries (21) in 2014 and ranked 11th in 2015 (12). At Louisville, he was a key cog in two Big East cham- pionships in 2011 and 2012, including an 11-2 season, a No. 13 final BCS ranking and a Sugar Bowl victory over fourth-ranked Florida in '12. In 2013, the Cardinals' defense was at the top na- tionally in five categories: total defense (251.5 yards per game), rushing defense (80.7 yards per game), sacks per game (3.31), first downs allowed (183) and third-down defense (26.7 percent). Other stops for Jean-Mary include Georgia Tech (linebackers coach, 2004-09), North Alabama (sec- ondary, 2003), South Carolina (graduate assistant, 2001-02) and his initial gig at Louisville as a strength and conditioning graduate assistant (2000). Don Brown is heading into his fifth season as Michigan's defensive coor- dinator and working with the team's linebackers. The 37-year coaching veteran has been employed as a de- fensive coordinator for 24 seasons. He has also been excellent during his tenure at U-M. Under Brown's guidance, 43 of 44 defensive starters have earned All-Big Ten recognition, with 14 players earning first-team honors. In 2019, Brown helped the Wolverines finish 25th nationally in scoring defense (20.7 points per game), 22nd in rushing defense (121.7 yards per game), 10th in passing defense (185.5 yards per game) and 11th in total defense (307.2 yards per game). Three linebackers from the 2019 squad were selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, including Josh Uche (second round), Khaleke Hudson (fifth round) and Jordan Glasgow (sixth round). The 2018 campaign was another stellar one for Brown and his unit. The Wolverines finished second in total defense, second in passing yards allowed, tied for sixth in defensive touchdowns and sixth in first downs allowed, plus he helped Michigan finish fifth in time of possession. His unit held Big Ten foes No. 15 Wisconsin, No. 24 Michigan State and No. 14 Penn State to 13 points or less, while a total of five opponents were limited to one touchdown or less. In both of his first two seasons at Michigan, he directed a crew that led the nation in both passing defense and opponent third-down conversion per- centage. The Wolverines ranked in the nation's top three in five defensive categories in 2017. U-M checked in first or second in the NCAA in seven categories in 2016, while eight opposing teams were held without a rushing touchdown. In 2015, he directed the Boston College defense to the very top of the national rankings in eight catego- ries: total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, red-zone defense, first-down defense, third-down defense, fourth-down defense and tackles for loss. BC also finished second in pass defense and pass ef- ficiency defense. Brown's aggressive, blitz-saturated style has been honed over many years in college coaching, includ- ing 12 seasons as a head coach. He produced a 94- 45 combined record as the head man at Plymouth State (1993-95), Northeastern (2000-03) and Mas- sachusetts (2004-08). From UMass, he moved on to Maryland (2009-10) as defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach, then to Connecticut (2011-12) in those same roles, and then to Boston College (2013- 15) as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He has coached at a number of venues in the East, beginning his college career as an assistant at Dart- mouth in 1982 and returning from 1984-86, and also spending time at Mansfield University in Pennsylvania (1983), Yale (1987-92), Brown (1996-97) and Massa- chusetts (1998-99). Brown has been nominated for the Broyles Award as the best assistant in college football numerous times, and he was one of five finalists after his first year in Ann Arbor. He earned American Football Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year hon- ors for the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2015. RETURNING PLAYERS MICHAEL BARRETT • LB R-So. • Valdosta, Ga. Ht.: 6-0 • Wt.: 227 • Appeared in 12 games and made seven tackles during the 2019 season, seeing snaps on defense in two contests while also being a major contributor on special teams. • Completed a 25-yard first-down pass to Daxton Hill on a fake punt that was part of a touchdown drive against Army. • Saw snaps in two games as a freshman, primarily on special teams. • Was a dual-threat quarterback in his prep career, totaling more than 2,500 yards and 38 scores on the ground, while also throwing for more than 4,000 yards and 43 touchdowns in his last two seasons. • Named to the Class 7A All-State first team and the 7A Offensive Player of the Year as a senior by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. • Regarded by Rivals.com as a three-star talent and the No. 69 player in Georgia. CAMERON MCGRONE • LB R-So. • Indianapolis Ht.: 6-1 • Wt.: 232 • Played on defense and special teams in all 13 games (10 starts) during the 2019 campaign, and compiled 66 stops, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, five quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one pass broken up. • Received All-Big Ten honorable mention from the coaches and media. • Saw snaps in one game on special teams in 2018. • Racked up 84 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and four sacks during his senior season at Lawrence Central. • Played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. • Named the state Defensive Player of the Year by IndianaPreps.com and was selected to the USA Today All-State first team. ROSTER No. Name Ht. Wt. Year Elig. Hometown (High School) 23 Michael Barrett 6-0 227 Jr. So. Valdosta, Ga. (Lowndes) 41 Adam Fakih* 6-2 228 Sr. Jr. Dearborn Heights, Mich. (Detroit Country Day) — Nikhai Hill-Green 6-1 230 Fr. Fr. Baltimore (St. Frances Academy) 32 Nolan Knight* 6-3 197 So. Fr. Northville, Mich. (Northville) 37 Jonathan Lampani* 6-1 234 5th Sr. Grand Rapids, Mich. (Grand River Prep) 44 Cameron McGrone 6-1 232 Jr. So. Indianapolis (Lawrence Central) — William Mohan 6-1 195 Fr. Fr. Brooklyn, N.Y. (Erasmus Hall) — Kalel Mullings 6-1 220 Fr. Fr. West Roxbury, Mass. (Milton Academy) 40 Ryan Nelson* 5-10 198 Sr. Jr. Northville, Mich. (Northville) 38 Geoffrey Reeves* 6-0 217 5th. Sr. Detroit (University of Detroit Jesuit) 39 Lawrence Reeves* 6-0 200 Jr. So. Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (Brother Rice) 12 Josh Ross 6-2 232 Sr. Jr. Southfield, Mich. (St. Mary's) — Osman Savage 6-2 225 Fr. Fr. Baltimore (St. Frances Academy) 45 Adam Shibley* 6-1 225 Sr. Jr. Cleveland (Saint Ignatius) 10 Anthony Solomon 6-1 205 So. So. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas) 13 Charles Thomas 6-0 233 So. Fr. Atlanta (St. Thomas More [Conn.]) 40 Ben VanSumeren 6-2 244 Jr. So. Essexville, Mich. (Garber) 9 Joey Velazquez 6-0 213 So. Fr. Columbus, Ohio (St. Frances DeSales) — Cornell Wheeler 6-1 220 Fr. Fr. West Bloomfield, Mich. (West Bloomfield) * Walk-on 102 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW LINEBACKERS