The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/213966
needs from that position to be put regular pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Charlton hill have the opportunity to leapfrog his two veteran teammates into a starting role. LB Ben Gedeon: On the surface, it would not appear that Gedeon has any chance of cracking the rotation at inside linebacker, not with junior Desmond Morgan, and sophomores James Ross III and Joe Bolden all experienced veterans. However, U-M has shown it is willing to play multiple defenders if they demand True freshman defensive end Taco it. The 6-3, 236-pound Gedeon can put on Charlton put pressure on the quartereven more mass and could give U-M the back in the Nebraska game, and he has asserted himself as a pass rusher one thing they have lacked at the Mike in the latter stages of the 2013 season. — a formidable physical force; Morgan is photo by lon horwedel 228 pounds and Bolden 225. A true freshman, Gedeon has already played some defensively this season and demonstrated the natural instincts to swarm to the football. With a little more understanding, he will push for playing time and elicit the best from his veteran backer teammates. DB Dymonte Thomas: One of Michigan's early enrollees, Thomas was the favorite coming out of spring practice to be the Maize and Blue's nickel back. But in fall camp, freshman classmates Jourdan Lewis and Channing Stribling both showed greater promise, edging Thomas out of the picture. While it took him awhile, Thomas finally moved back into the rotation when U-M hosted Nebraska. Next season, Michigan will say goodbye to safeties Thomas Gordon and Courtney Avery, and welcome back redshirt junior Josh Furman and sophomore Jarrod Wilson, providing the 6-2, 190-pound Thomas a chance to vie for one of two starting spots. DT Tom Strobel: A four-star defensive end in high school, Strobel has bounced between strongside end and the three-technique defensive tackle position in his young career, but it looks like he will vie for playing time on the inside in future seasons. With seniors Quinton Washington and Jibreel Black both moving on, and sophomore Ondre Pipkins coming back from an ACL injury, there will be plenty of opportunity in the spring for the redshirt freshman to earn reps and carve out a role up front. — Michael Spath