Ryan wears the jersey honoring U-M legend Bennie Oosterbaan, and Oosterbaan's godson,
Ben McCready (pictured with Ryan), said the linebacker is a perfect choice to don No. 47.
Photo courtesy Ben McCready
Some Have Returned With A Vengeance
Jake Ryan certainly isn't the first Michigan football player to bounce back
after missing the start of a season. Others have carved out that path quite successfully.
Quarterback Drew Henson broke his foot during Michigan's 2000 fall training
camp. That incident cost him the entire non-conference campaign, including
wins over Bowling Green (42-7) and Rice (38-7), along with a loss at UCLA.
Backup John Navarre guided the Wolverines in Henson's absence. But after
the 23-20 loss in Los Angeles, doctors proclaimed Henson ready to go for the
Big Ten season.
Henson remained on the bench for much of the first half, while the Wolverines
fell behind at Illinois, 14-7. He entered the game late in the second quarter,