The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 81 "We knew most of season when we watched him play people were blocking him with tight ends and running backs the whole time," Mayfield recalled. "We felt if we could get him in a situation where he could get against a guard or tackle every play, it would make his job a lot more difficult than what it had been." The result was that Young, the eventual No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft, was held to zero tackles and made very little impact. It was a hollow achievement because they didn't win, Mayfield admitted, but that performance put him firmly on the map, and in bold lettering. This spring, ESPN's Mel Kiper tabbed Mayfield the No. 14 overall player available in the 2021 NFL Draft, which placed him third among tackles, behind Oregon's Penei Sewell and Texas' Samuel Cosmi. "There is some projection here because Mayfield has started only 13 college games at right tackle," Kiper wrote. "But I really liked what I saw from him in the biggest games, including when he was lined up against No. 2 overall pick Chase Young in the Wolverines' loss to Ohio State in the regular-season finale. "Mayfield has some upside, and I'll be watching closely this season." So will others closer to the program, in- cluding one who knows a lot about line play. "If he wants to be a first-round pick, he has that talent, that ability. Has he played like it yet? One game last year, I'd say yeah," former Michigan All-American and NFL great Jon Jansen said. "Now we've got to see that 12 games out of the year. He'll have that opportunity. And he will." That's high praise from a guy who spent a dozen years in the NFL and was considered one of the best of his era. Mayfield's heard the talk, but it hasn't gone to his head. "It's crazy right now," he said. "But I just want to get back out there and play. I defi- nitely have it in the back of my mind, but a lot of stuff can change over one year of play. "I've just got to focus on repeating doing the good stuff I did last year and build upon it." That's the goal, and he's worked hard this summer even during quarantine and social distancing to prepare himself for his next chapter. He's not sure what the future holds beyond this season, but he's ready to make this season great with his new linemates. "I have no doubt when we get to middle of season, we'll be clicking just like we were last year," he said. Thanks to Mayfield, the new guys have an idea what it takes to excel as a first-year starter. They'll all have their own chances to rise up if they simply follow his lead. ❏ Michigan's Best NFL Tackles Of The Last 50 Years Michigan redshirt sophomore right tackle Jalen Mayfield is on pace to become the Wolverines' next early round draft pick from the offensive line, following in the footsteps of some of the greats. Here's a list of the Wolverines' best of the best NFL offensive tackles in the modern era: Dan Dierdorf (1968-70): Spent 13 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, playing from 1971-83 and was the NFL Players' Association's Offensive Lineman of the Year three consecutive years (1976-78). He made the Pro Bowl six times between 1974-80, was chosen as a first-team All-Pro five times and was named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996. Mike Kenn (1975-77): Arrived at Michigan at 197 pounds, added weight and blossomed into one of the best-ever tacticians at the position. He went to the Atlanta Falcons No. 13 overall and spent 17 sea - sons with the team, starting all 251 NFL games he played. He holds franchise record for games started and played, was a first-team All-NFL player in 1980, 1983 and 1991, and was invited to play in the Pro Bowl five consecutive years from 1980-84. Bubba Paris (1979-81): The San Francisco 49ers' second-round pick spent nine seasons with the franchise in its heyday, starting eight years at left tackle. He won three Super Bowl rings with the team, starting 105 of the 130 games in which he appeared, before finishing his career with short stints in Indianapolis and Detroit. Jumbo Elliott (1984-87): The 2020 College Football Hall of Fame inductee spent his first eight seasons with the New York Giants, winning a Super Bowl as a starter in 1990, earned All-Madden honors in 1990 and '91, and finished his career with six seasons with the New York Jets. A two-time All-American at U-M, Elliott made the Pro Bowl for the only time in 1993. He played in 197 NFL games, starting 156. Jon Runyan (1992-94): One of the most feared tackles in the league, Runyan played with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1996-99 before joining the Philadelphia Eagles, making the franchise's 75th anniversary team in 2008. He played in 207 games, starting 192, earned All-Pro honors in 1999 and made the Pro Bowl in 2002. Jon Jansen (1995-98): The All-American, two-time captain and four-year starter was voted as one of the additions to the Washington Redskins' "10 for 80" club in 2012, honoring him as one of the best players in the 80-year history of the franchise. He started 125 of 137 games for the Skins and earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2005. Jeff Backus (1997-2000): Though he never earned All-Pro honors or made a Pro Bowl, Backus enjoyed a 12-year career with the Detroit Lions and started all 191 games in which he appeared. The former first-round pick (18th overall) started and played in 186 consecutive games before finally missing one due to injury. Jake Long (2004-07): The former No. 1 overall pick played in Miami from 2008-12 and St. Louis in 2013-14, but injuries cut his career short. He still made four Pro Bowls with the Dolphins and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2010, a year after making the second team as one of the NFL's top players. Taylor Lewan (2010-13) Lewan went to Tennessee in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft and has been there since. He's also been a starter since day one, a PFWA All-Rookie selection in his first season and a three-time Pro Bowl selection (2016-18). He was No. 77 player on NFL.com's "Top Players of 2019" list. — Chris Balas After being drafted No. 1 overall in 2008 out of Michi- gan, Jake Long was elected to four Pro Bowls and was twice named an All-Pro (first team in 2010, sec- ond team in 2009). PHOTO COURTESY MIAMI DOLPHINS