The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/213966
plenty of ground to make up when he returns to full health in the spring, but the redshirt freshman possesses the physical toughness and drive to recapture his potential quickly. The good news for Darboh is he won't be rushed, not with Funchess a likely No. 1 receiver in 2014 and classmate Jehu Chesson showing he has what it takes to develop into a No. 2 — at least to start the year. TB De'Veon Smith: Michigan fans are already getting a good look at true freshman Derrick Green this season, and while he stands to play a more prominent role next fall he should have some company. Fitz Toussaint is gone after the bowl game, junior Thomas Rawls and redshirt sophomore Justice Hayes haven't earned their coaches' trust despite three years in the program, and redshirt freshman Drake Johnson will be recovering from an ACL injury. That puts the onus on Green and Smith to jockey for the first-string tailback job, and while most would believe it's Green's job to lose, the 5-11, 224-pound Smith has shown immense promise in practice. OT Ben Braden: The 6-6, 318-pound Braden was supposed to team up with classmate Kyle Kalis to form two-thirds of Michigan's interior, each poised to earn a starting guard spot. But Braden, a natural tackle, struggled to grasp the nuances of the inside post and Kalis lost his starting gig after six weeks. The redshirt freshmen will be given another crack in the spring, but Braden will vie for the tackle position he's better suited for. With bookends Taylor Lewan and Michael Schofield graduating, U-M must fill two holes at tackle, and both Braden and classmate Erik Magnuson will have the most experience among the contenders. — Michael Spath Five Defensive Players To Watch In 2014 LS Scott Sypniewski: Technically, he is a specialist and not a defensive player, but Sypniewski could be critically important to the Wolverines next season because long snapper Jareth Glanda is slated to depart. Sypniewski was recruited for the sole purpose of taking over for Glanda in 2014. DE Taco Charlton: After failing to see the field for more than a handful of plays the first eight weeks, Charlton played plenty in week nine against Nebraska. The 6-6, 270-pounder officially only had one tackle, including 0.5 for loss, but he put consistent pressure on the Huskers' signal-callers and was largely responsible for U-M's lone sack, flushing NU's quarterback from the pocket. Rush end Frank Clark will be a senior and Mario Ojemudia a junior next season, but neither has displayed the consistency coordinator Greg Mattison