The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/201975
of regulation. But he has been a steady contributor all season, with 12 tackles, including 10 solo tackles in open space, and a forced fumble. He has made one start and been used as the third cornerback in Michigan's nickel package. 4. Left Guard Kyle Bosch: When he checked in for injured redshirt freshman left guard Joey Burzynski during the Indiana game, Bosch became just the ninth true freshman offensive lineman to play for Michigan ever and just the second since Dean Dingman in 1987. Bosch played well in his first game and will likely be the starter down the stretch. 5. Cornerback Jourdan Lewis: Lewis is tied with Stribling for most tackles by a true freshman this year with 12. He has also recorded a pass breakup. Lewis, Stribling, senior Courtney Avery and junior Delonte Hollowell rotate extensively at the third cornerback spot in the nickel formation, and Lewis has checked in for three games. He has played every week on special teams. 6. Linebacker Ben Gedeon: Gedeon has been a special teams warrior this year, playing kickoff and punt coverage and tallying five tackles on the year. His steady improvement throughout the fall has been noticed by the coaches. After playing defense in the waning moments of the Wolverines' blowout win over Central Michigan, Gedeon checked in at linebacker against the Hoosiers and forced an incomplete pass on the final drive of the game. 7. Safety Dymonte Thomas: Once thought to be the starter at nickel back this year, Thomas has made the most of his contributions on special teams. He has tallied four tackles in the first seven games and surely made the Wolverines' highlight reel when he came off the edge to block a Central Michigan punt, which fifth-year senior wide receiver Joe Reynolds scooped up and returned for Michigan's first touchdown of the season. 8. Quarterback Shane Morris: Morris has played in just two games, mainly because the Wolverines haven't been able to build many leads large enough to send the backups into the game. With perilously thin depth behind redshirt junior quarterback Devin Gardner, Morris has brought some stability to the position, which the Wolverines will need if Gardner has to leave a game with an injury. He has completed 4 of 6 passes for 59 yards and an interception this season. 9. Running Back De'Veon Smith: Smith tallied seven carries for 12 yards against Central Michigan. He hasn't toted the rock since then, but he has been a reliable and consistent special teams contributor all season, blocking in the backfield on punts and chasing down ball carriers on kick returns. 10. Defensive End Taco Charlton: Charlton has yet to tally a tackle this season, but he has garnered playing time in three games at the rush end position, where junior Frank Clark and sophomore Mario Ojemudia have been solid this year. At 6-6, 270, Charlton is an athletic specimen who has a bright future with the Wolverines. — Andy Reid