The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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in earnest, last season, with then-true freshmen Joe Bolden and James Ross III spelling Demens and Morgan, respectively, throughout the season. But this year, the Wolverine linebackers have found a solid three-man rotation that has been the basis for the defense's success against the run. Ross, now a sophomore, and Morgan, a junior, led the team in tackles, with 75 and 69, respectively, through 10 games. In addition, the Wolverines ranked 13th nationally in rushing defense (111.2 yards allowed per game) and 10th in the country in yards allowed per rush (3.16). "We're all capable of playing," Ross said. "I like it, because everyone brings great things to the table. We're able to stay fresh and trust that guy in there when he subs in and you come out. It's good that we're able to stay fresh in that rotation. There aren't a lot of schools that are able to do that." The Catalyst In order to effectively play three guys at two spots on the field, one player must be the anchor that keeps the whole thing grounded — and that job is up to Morgan. After spending his first two seasons playing Will, with Demens in at Mike, Morgan took over in the middle during spring practice. Although he hadn't played the position before, he had spent countless hours behind the scenes, talking with Demens about the Mike, and he adapted almost immediately. "At the beginning of the season, I would have said I like to play Mike a little more, because I think my skill set is geared a little more to that," Morgan said. "Run-gap fits are pretty much the same at both positions. Some of the pass coverage matchups are a little different, and I think that's a little better for me." After two games, Morgan had taken all of his snaps in the middle, but it soon became clear that the Wolverines would need more from him. Morgan was the Wolverines' best option in the middle, with Bolden rotating in for him. Ross was over at Will — and Morgan was the best option to replace him. Although Morgan was one of the players in that Sugar Bowl who was worn down by the end, he has become one the best-conditioned members of the team in the last two years. He has proven that he can handle the extra workload. "He's a smart football player," Michigan head coach Brady Hoke said. "He's one of those guys that can fit both. He runs well enough to be the covered up guy at Will and stout enough and strong enough and tough enough to play Mike." So Smith made a plan: Morgan would almost always be on the field, with Bolden and Ross rotating in at their respective positions. "Especially early in the season, it could get confusing every once in a while," Morgan said of switching back and forth. "But realistically, the positions aren't too different from one another, so it's not really difficult. As we've gotten to the middle of the season, it feels like second nature to switch between the two." Unlike the strongside outside line-