The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/347495
MICHIGAN FOOTBALL However, Hoke left a little wiggle room in his interview, and according to de- fensive coordinator Greg Mattison, no decision is set in stone, yet. "Jabrill Peppers is a tremendous athlete," Mattison said in an interview on Inside Michigan Football. "Everything he's done just keeps showing why we are so excited about him. "Jabrill Peppers will go to the position where we feel we really need some- body, and somebody to step in there early. We'll wait to see how the summer plays out." Peppers, meanwhile, will wear No. 5 according to an updated roster on MGoBlue.com. There were rumors he would wear No. 2. NUMBERS GAME Redshirt junior cornerback Blake Countess will be the first Michigan defen- sive back since Cato June in 2002 to wear No. 2 after it was announced he switched from No. 18 entering the 2014 season. Though many Wolverines have worn No. 2, Charles Woodson, the 1997 Heisman Trophy win- ner, made it famous from 1995- 97. June held it from 1998-2002, and tailback Vincent Smith wore it from 2010-12. It has also been donned by re- ceiver Chris Calloway (1986-89), receiver Walter Smith (1991-94) and linebacker Shawn Crable (2004-07). In addition to the seven early enrollees, Michigan announced numbers for the nine remain- ing members of its rookie class: Peppers (No. 5), linebacker Jared Wangler (No. 19), defensive tackle Brady Pallante (No. 54), linebacker Chase Winovich (No. 58), line- backer Noah Furbush (No. 59), offensive lineman Juwan Bush- ell-Beatty (No. 76), wide receiver Maurice Ways (No. 85), defensive end Lawrence Marshall (No. 93) and tight end Ian Bunting (No. 94). Redshirt junior Blake Countess will be the first U-M defensive back since Cato June in 2002 to wear No. 2 after it was announced he switched from No. 18 for the 2014 season. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL