The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/152358
ments, saying he would not recant them and had no reason to. "We're going to work hard and do our best and I do believe we're going to win the game," Gardner said. "That's not arrogance. I am confident in my football team. "I wouldn't expect any player from any team to answer that question any differently, and if they do, they don't deserve to be on that football team, whether it's Purdue, Ohio State, Illinois or even Central Michigan. If one of their guys don't think they can beat us they shouldn't be on that football team." Ahead Of Schedule • Redshirt junior Jake Ryan, who injured his knee in spring football, should be ready to go in October, head coach Brady Hoke said. "I'm not a doctor," Hoke reminded. "I don't know a whole lot about it. The way he's approached everything, I think he'll be good. "He's doing a lot. He's running, doing some different things. I don't know how many 90-degree cuts and those kinds of things he's doing, I can't tell you for sure. We're not allowed to be with them." While Ryan won't take contact in fall camp, Hoke noted he's not just talking about the veteran linebacker being ready to practice in October. "If he's back, that means he's playing," Hoke assured. Ryan was an All-Big Ten second-team selection in 2012 after leading Michigan in tackles (88), tackles for loss (16) and sacks (4.5). Early Honor • Fifth-year senior left tackle Taylor Lewan has been named a preseason firstteam All-American by Sports Illustrated. The list also included Big Ten standouts Ryan Shazier (Ohio State) at linebacker and Brad Roby (Ohio State) at cornerback. Additionally, Michigan State's Max Bullough (linebacker), Wisconsin's Chris Borland (linebacker), Northwestern's Jeff Budzien (placekicker) and Nebraska's Spencer Long (offensive line) were named second team. better. "The good thing with these kids is, they listen and they're trying to do what you tell them, do the right things and become better playmakers. I'm happy with where we are right now. Are we good enough? No … but we will be." Smith noted the Wolverines are moving in the direction of having a comfortable, rotating two-deep at in- side linebacker. They might already feature that situation at middle linebacker, with junior Desmond Morgan and sophomore Joe Bolden battling it out for the right to start. Morgan moved from weakside linebacker last year and appears to have the inside track on the starting job. At 6-1, 228 pounds, he's rugged enough to handle the action in the middle, Smith insisted.