The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/299859
MICHIGAN FOOTBALL playing in the middle — but he is starting to catch on. "The first day I had no idea what I was doing," Ryan said. "As I pro- gressed through spring ball, I defi- nitely got better, filled my gap, got to my hole, got to the ball better, and knew what was coming before the play. That is something you need to know as a linebacker and I definitely improved. "I'm getting better. This game defi- nitely helped me out. The whole en- tire spring helped me out. I'm just bringing my play from here into the summer workouts and getting better there." Junior Joe Bolden, who has played both Mike and Will in the last two years, was one of the most pleasant surprises in the linebacking corps. Bolden got the nod with the first-team defense at Will, over Morgan, at the spring game and displayed impres- sive instincts and aggressiveness. "Joe has been a huge part of this defense and just being here and be- ing in the position for so long, his three years, he's taught me a lot," Ryan said. "He's calling out what's going to come before the play. He's saying, 'You've got this guy and I've got that guy.' "Joe has been a huge part of the communication, and he's been a great player this spring." The Wolverine coaches have also been pleased with junior Royce Jen- kins-Stone, who is pushing hard for playing time at Sam in a competition with Ross. Jenkins-Stone has just 11 career tackles and has taken defensive snaps in just two games, but he ran out with the first-team defense in the spring game. ❑ Redshirt sophomore right tackle Ben Braden spent his first two years in Ann Arbor working on his game behind the scenes and biding his time behind veteran starters Taylor Lewan and Michael Schofield. Now, with the opportunity to start in front of him, Braden and redshirt freshman left tackle Erik Magnuson are the frontrunners to take over the open spots. Getting To Know Redshirt Sophomore Offensive Tackle Ben Braden Braden grew up playing hockey, and he cited Detroit Red Wings great Steve Yzerman as his favorite professional athlete. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL