The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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son has started more games (eight) than the rest of his teammates at the position have played defensively al- together (five). T h e g o o d n e w s i s t h e 6 - 2 , 202-pound Wilson appears to have matured considerably since last sea- son, and can anchor the unit. "I want to be a field general back there, controlling the entire second- ary, as well as the front line and linebackers," he said. "I wanted to be more vocal and come out with a presence at safety. "I have done a pretty good job with that so far, and so have the other safeties. We have all made sure to have more of a presence, commu- nicating and being louder from back there." In the scrimmage, sophomore Delano Hill started alongside Wil- son and the 6-0, 205-pounder has the early track on starting ahead of Thomas, redshirt sophomore Jeremy Clark and freshman early enrollee Brandon Watson. "I want it bad, but Dymonte and Jeremy want it bad too and are giv- ing their best in this competition," Hill said. "I'm just trying to bring energy and create turnovers, and be the best player I can be." "There are a lot of great competi- tors," added Clark, who saw action at safety in a single game in 2013. "I think it's going to be a dogfight to see who gets the open spot because all of us are doing good." Thomas was the most hyped of the four, ranking No. 109 nation- ally in the class of 2013. He ran with the twos during the scrimmage and made a few nice plays. He knows this battle is far from over. "I think I have a big opportunity," Thomas said. "Nothing is official — you never know until the season starts, until the first game of the sea- son. Right now I'm just thankful for the opportunity the coaches have given me to show my talents, and we'll see where it gets me. "The No. 1 thing I took out of my freshman season is just continu- ing to compete and be physical. If you compete every day you have a chance, and if you're physical you definitely have a chance to play." Wilson acknowledged his job is still very much up for grabs also, but because he went into the spring with that mindset, he finished the 15 practices with the first team and, more importantly, as a better player. The Akron, Ohio, native did his best to learn the tendencies of all his safety teammates, knowing it could be any of the four that wins the role next to him — and potentially a fifth if five-star Jabrill Peppers practices at that position — but Wilson was impressed by Hill. "Delano has done a lot. Through- out the spring, he caught on very fast," Wilson said. "That is not to take away from Jeremy or Dymonte. They have all taken tremendous strides throughout the spring. "Coach Mallory just made the decision to go with Delano for the spring game, to play with the ones. All three of those guys are compet- ing, and they're doing a good job." Though there is more experience at cornerback than safety, both posi-