The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2014 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 147 Wormley and Countess returned to play important roles with the Maize and Blue in 2013. Ringer would leave the program after one season — though he still keeps in con- tact with the four — while Poole eventually had to shut down his career (he is on medical hardship so his schooling is still paid for). Bryant played in three games with two starts at left guard before he also went on medical hardship. The 6-4, 292-pound Wormley appeared in all 13 games defensively as a redshirt fresh- man last season, tallying 19 total stops, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one fumble recovery. He slid over from strongside end to three-technique defensive tackle in the spring and is expected to compete for a start- ing job when fall camp commences. "He worked really hard not only to come back from the injury but to become a better player, stronger, smarter about the defense while he was rehabbing," Countess said. "To see it pay off was really special for all the guys because we know exactly what he went through." Wormley still has a few more chapters in his career to write, however, starting with a 2014 season in which he will be given every opportunity to emerge as a consistent play- maker up front for Michigan. "There is no a better-looking kid in this league or country when it comes to a defen- sive lineman, and with his frame, strength and quickness, we expect him to make plays," defensive line coach Mark Smith said. "With him, [redshirt sophomore] Matt Godin and our other three-techs, it's not a matter of just eating up space. Chris is a kid with outstanding athleticism for that position, and we expect him to chase people down and create some panic for the quarterback." Michigan moved Wormley inside for a few reasons, but chief among them is because he can create a mismatch against guards and centers with a first step at the snap that most linemen simply do not possess. And because he's put on 10 pounds since the end of the 2013 season, and 30 pounds since he arrived on campus, Wormley will not sacrifice power at that position like Ji- breel Black (6-2, 278) did in 2012-13. Strongside end was also growing too crowded; senior Brennen Beyer made the switch from Sam linebacker to defensive end midway through his junior season while sophomore Taco Charlton jumped book- ends, from weakside to strongside end with his physical maturation and ability to add a pass-rush element to that spot. "I think Taco and Brennen are both better fits for strongside, and me and Matt, with our size, and because we both played five- tech last year and have shown an ability to get to the quarterback, can be players that penetrate and impact at defensive tackle," Wormley said. The Toledo, Ohio, native could weigh more — both he and defensive coordina- tor Greg Mattison believe he could carry 320 pounds — and maybe a move to nose tackle is in his future, but for 2014, he will vie to earn the most snaps at three-tech, de- termined to beat out Godin and classmates Willie Henry and Tom Strobel to be the guy. Whether he wins that coveted job or not, Wormley is eager to contribute in any fash- ion to the team goal of a Big Ten title. Just like during his rehab process when he fo- cused on the day the brace came off perma- nently, he's envisioning the moment U-M raises a trophy. "I came to Michigan to win a champi- onship and play in a Rose Bowl," he said. "There have been some obstacles, but I feel as good as I've ever felt, and if we have 120 guys all pulling the same way — and what I've seen in summer workouts has been good — I don't think there are many teams that can stop us because the talent is here." ❑ Michigan's Greatest Players From Toledo Michigan has a long history of pulling recruits out of the state of Ohio, and Toledo is a consistent provider of that talent. Here is a look at the best players to hail from Chris Wormley's hometown. 1. Bob Chappuis, HB, 1942 and 1946-47: His career interrupted by World War II, the DeVilbiss High School alumnus was a first-team All-American in 1947 and is considered one of the greatest players during that era, going into the College Football Hall of Fame in the 1988 class. Over three seasons he rushed for 1,140 yards and 10 scores, and threw for 2,068 yards and 22 touchdowns. 2. Marty Huff, LB, 1968-70: A two-year starter at middle linebacker, Huff led U-M in tackles in 1969 (126) and 1970 (124) en route to first-team All-Big Ten honors both seasons and first-team All-America distinction as a senior. The St. Francis grad is one of only four players in Michigan his- tory with both interception and punt returns for touchdowns, joining Harry Allis (1948-50), Dave Brown (1972-74) and Marlin Jackson (2001-04). 3. Ernie Vick, C, 1918-21: Following in the footsteps of U-M legends William Cunningham (1898-99) and Germany Schulz (1904-08), Vick became the third Wolverine center to garner first- team All-America honors, in 1921. A four-year starter, the Scott High School alumnus was a four- time first-team all-conference performer. 4. James Detwiler, HB 1964-66: Another DeVilbiss grad, Detwiler was a first-team all-conference performer during his senior season after rushing for 411 yards and four touchdowns while adding nine receptions for 165 yards and three scores, giving him a team-high seven total touchdowns on the year. 5. Ed McNeill, E, 1945-48: A four- year contributor, the Libbey alum started 17 games in his career, includ- ing two at end for Michigan's 10-0 na- tional championship-winning team in 1947 and seven games in 1948, when the Wolverines repeated as the nation's No. 1 team. 6. Jim Orwig, T, 1955-57: The DeVil- biss High School graduate was a three- year starter at tackle for the Maize and Blue, starting 26 games total during his career. He was named captain in 1957. 7. Kevin Koger, TE, 2008-11: The Whitmer alumnus moved into the starting lineup as a rookie — one of only three tight ends all time at U-M to start as a true freshman — and would start 29 games over four sea- sons, catching 59 balls for 756 yards and nine touchdowns. He ranks eighth among Michigan tight ends in career receptions. 8. Merritt Green II, E, 1950-52: Mich- igan's captain in 1952, Green played alongside All-American end Lowell Perry in 1951. A DeVilbiss alum, Green started 24 games over three seasons. — Michael Spath Tight end Kevin Koger broke into the starting lineup as a true freshman, started 29 games and finished his career with 59 catches for 756 yards and nine scores. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL 144-147.Chris Wormley.indd 147 6/19/14 1:14 PM