The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/152358
Wil Hagerup was named the 2012 Big Ten Punter of the Year after averaging a singleseason school-record 45.0 yards per kick, but he has been suspended for the 2013 season. Photo by Lon Horwedel recruits that signed on Feb. 3, 2010. Top Four Contributors So Far 1. Jake Ryan — The strongside linebacker will miss at least the first month of the season while recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in the spring, but he is expected to return sometime in October. Defensively, no one has made more big plays for U-M the past two seasons — Ryan's 27 tackles for loss are the most ever by a Wolverine in his first two years, surpassing Mark Messner 's 24 in 1985-86, and LaMarr Woodley's and David Bowens' 20 in 2003‑04 and 1995‑96, respectively. When healthy, Ryan is one of the Big Ten's top defenders. 2. Devin Gardner — Gardner's first two seasons have been a prelude to what is expected out of the redshirt junior quarterback in 2013, but his career hasn't been without a few highlights already. Gardner has thrown 13 touchdown passes and run for another nine, setting the U-M single-month record when he was responsible for 15 scores (eight passing and seven rushing) in November last year. This year, Gardner is expected to challenge 3,000 yards passing and 25 touchdowns. 3. Courtney Avery — A jack-of-all trades defensive back, similar to Brandon Harrison (2005-08), Avery has started eight career contests at cornerback and another five at nickel back, the latter a role that seemingly best fits the 5-11, 174-pounder. Avery is competing to start at corner this fall and is determined to win the coveted spot opposite Blake Countess. Either way, he'll help while he aims for 100 career tackles (he has 81) and 10 passes broken up (he has eight). 4. Will Hagerup — The 6-4, 227-pounder will not play this season — he has been suspended and will redshirt — and his inclusion here is a bit of an indictment of this class' over-