The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/152358
tle with classmate Graham Glasgow. The 6-4, 291-pound Miller has the size, strength, power and, most importantly, the smarts to be the line's leader and an upgrade over Mealer, but he must outwork Glasgow. Keith Heitzman — The 6-3, 277-pound Heitzman was one of the first recruits Hoke landed after becoming the head coach in January 2011 (Heitzman was second to defensive back Tamani Carter). The redshirt sophomore ended this spring as the starter at strongside end after outworking and outplaying a cadre of talented redshirt freshmen that may have more physical skill but can't match Heitzman yet for consistency and a knack for making a big play. Where Are They Now? Kellen Jones — Though he signed with Michigan, Jones did not step foot on the U-M campus for his freshman year and eventually transferred to Oklahoma. He spent one season with the Sooners in 2011, contributing 10 tackles in 12 games, but Jones wasn't long for Norman. He was on the move again, to Clemson, and after sitting out the 2012 season due to NCAA rules, he is competing for a starting job at either the Mike (middle) or Will (weakside) linebacker posts. Chris Rock — A native of Columbus, Rock has returned to his hometown and will play for the in-state Buckeyes after initially signing with the Maize and Blue in 2011. He redshirted his first year at U-M and didn't stick around for his second season, choosing instead to enroll at Ohio State. He walked on to the team this past spring and should vie for a spot on OSU's two-deep this season. No longer in football: Tight end Chris Barnett; defensive back Greg Brown; defensive back Tamani Carter; linebacker Antonio Poole; and offensive lineman Tony Posada. ❑ Report Card — AGenerally in a class of 20, the averages mete out five multi-year starters, a few more spot starters that largely occupy roles as key reserves during their careers, another five or so that sift to the bottom (maybe finding a niche on special teams) and a final bunch that leave school before their eligibility rightly expires. A total of seven players have already departed, which would normally represent a failure of the class, but is understood because of the way this group was split between Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke. For eight of the remaining 13 to be in position to start the Aug. 31 season opener (and for another four to certainly have a chance), speaks to just how talented and determined the class of 2011 has been. A star has not yet been born — though Blake Countess and Frank Clark could both be this fall — but the sum of the parts is decidedly better than the individuals, and for a school that proclaims "the team, the team, the team," that jives perfectly.