The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/299859
the logical choice to slip back in as the starting center, but redshirt junior Jack Miller (6-4, 297) — who started four games there a year ago before getting replaced — got run with U- M's first-teamers both at center and guard in the spring game. Redshirt freshman Patrick Kugler (6-5, 295) could also challenge at center. Kalis (6-5, 304) figures to plug back in — wiser, angrier and more tech- nique sound — at right guard, al- though as every coach assures, the competition never stops. Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore Ben Braden (6-6, 319) looks like a good bet to man the right tackle posi- tion. Braden played left guard in the spring last year, but couldn't hold the spot into the fall. He's more of a natural tackle, and he's prepping for the challenge. "It was definitely different," Braden said of the move inside. "I have never worked at guard before, and it was a different thing for me. It was good for me in the long run, looking back at it. Now I have a feel for guard, and now that I'm working at tackle, I can see things better and have more a feel for how the guard is going to set on something. That definitely helps." To review, a starting line of Mag- nuson, Bosch, Glasgow, Kalis and Braden wouldn't be a surprise. But Dawson and several others men- tioned could have a say in matters. Even early entry true freshman Ma- son Cole (6-5, 275) turned heads at times in the spring and factors as a future beast, while redshirt sopho- more Blake Bars (6-5, 290) continues battling. Redshirt sophomore Erik Magnuson made seven starts at guard last season, but he looks to be in line to start at left tackle for the Wolverines in 2014. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL