The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN FOOTBALL and Thomas, a sophomore, are two performers who can play at either safety spot. Watson is a true fresh- man, while Clark and Pearson are redshirt sophomores. The opening, of course, leads to the question of whether true fresh- man Jabrill Peppers might get a look there, but Hoke noted he's concen- trating on learning the nickel back spot for now. "Right now, it's strictly keeping him at nickel," Hoke said. "That's a unique position. The positive thing is, he's a pretty good athlete. He's got good recovery skills, so he may take a step the wrong way, but he's got makeup speed. He's physical, and he's instinctive. "There's enough there that's on his plate. You've got to remember, those guys are finishing a semester. That's a lot." Meanwhile, Hoke noted that red- shirt sophomore running back Drake Johnson and junior defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins are fully engaged in fall practices after rehabilitating knee injuries in the offseason. Sophomore tight end Jake Butt is working out, but not engaged in any contact after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in spring practice. "Jake Butt would like for us to say he's full, but he's coming along really well," Hoke quipped. DEVIN GARDNER: LINE MUST PLAY WITH URGENCY In 2013, Michigan's offensive line allowed a quarterback sack once every 13 times its signal-callers