The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/152358
Opponents Expect Big Season From Quarterback Devin Gardner Redshirt junior Devin Gardner played quarterback in only five games last season, but that was enough of a sample size to convince those that will try to stop Gardner this season he's capable of an all-conference campaign. The Wolverine spoke to players at Big Ten Media Days in late July for their candid impressions of the Maize and Blue. Under the cloak of anonymity, they had plenty to say. On Gardner: "Stud. He reminds me a lot of Russell Wilson when he was at Wisconsin. He ran some, usually really effectively, but he just made plays. He didn't dance around when he didn't have to. He didn't throw the ball up for grabs. He just seemed to be the best player on the field and had an ace up his sleeve on every play, and that's what Gardner was like last year when we played him. He was the best quarterback we faced and I think he's the best quarterback in the Big Ten. I bet you by the end of the year, he's a Heisman candidate." On fifth-year senior left tackle Taylor Lewan: "Two years ago, you could goad him into a penalty if you just stayed on him, talked a little, and especially if you played a little longer past the whistle, but he was much more mature last year. Still nasty, though. "Wisconsin and Ohio State have the reputation of punishing linemen that will stop at nothing to bury you into the ground, but there's no individual better than Lewan. He absolutely makes it his mission to make you want to give up." On fifth-year senior right tackle Michael Schofield: "He was pretty good, but he doesn't play with that same kick-butt mentality of Lewan. He has very good size and plays the way a lineman is supposed to play, but you know you're not in for the same battle. When you're up against him, if you get real physical, he hasn't matched that yet. Maybe this year will be different." On the offensive line: "The thing that really stood out to us was how bad their guards were at pulling. Half the time the running back would be the first guy to the hole and we had a linebacker waiting there. They're supposed to be paving the way, but they were so sloppy and so out of position even when they were out ahead you could simply sidestep them or outmuscle them because they had lost their leverage. "Great running teams have monsters that when they pull you best get out of their way, and I know when we prepare for Michigan I'll be looking to see if they've improved there." On sophomore tight end Devin Funchess: "If he gets bigger and stronger, he's going to be an animal because you won't be able to cover him with a safety anymore. That's what we did last year and you could push him around a little bit and he didn't like that. I don't want to say he was a finesse player, but he definitely wasn't as physical as some of the tight ends out there. If he wants to be the best in the Big Ten, he has to play with some toughness."