The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/152358
Senior Jibreel Black, who posted three sacks and five tackles for loss in 2012, has been watching film of NFL standouts to help prepare for the upcoming season. Photo by Per Kjeldsen life miserable for opposing guards and centers. "Up to this point, Quinton has done a great job, leadership-wise, production-wise, fundamentally," Hoke said. Washington, 6-4, 301, isn't resting on his laurels. "We have grown as a unit, because we have more depth and competition," he said. "We're all fighting for a position, and it forces us to get bet- ter with our technique and fundamentals. It's a good deal. The young guys are really trying to get on the field, so I have to get better." Pipkins is pushing Washington the hardest — and competition in practice breeds success on the field. "It's a battle," Pipkins said. "When Q goes out there, he does things that are amazing, and I am just like, 'Man, I have to top that.' It's a great competition with the interior guys. "He is doing a great job of coming in and working every day, and so is everyone else. Richard Ash is doing a tremendous job. We're all pushing ourselves, so we can be among the best defensive tackles in the country." Last year, as a true freshman, Pipkins, 6-3, 315, recorded seven tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss. He expects to improve on those numbers this fall. "We can go anywhere we want to go if we put our minds together," said Pipkins. "We can do tremendous things — we have the talent and ability to do it. In our room, we have the potential to be All-Americans, but we have to be All-Americans every day. We have to push each other. "If one guy slacks off, you have to say, 'Hey, that's not right. Get in there and do it again.' We're holding ourselves to the Michigan standard. "We want Coach Mattison to say, 'We don't have to blitz. We have four down linemen. You guys go do your thing.' "We're going to be successful. I can feel it. With the leadership of Jibreel Black and Quinton in our room, we're going to do great things." ❑