The Wolverine

September 2014

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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BY MICHAEL SPATH B y October, Derrick Green or De'Veon Smith could be Michigan's starting tailback, Jake Butt could be U-M's top producer at tight end, safety Delano Hill and cornerback Jourdan Lewis could represent half of the Wolver- ines' starting secondary, and the list goes on. With 27 members, including 16 four-star recruits and a five-star pros- pect, the 2013 class could have its fin- gerprints all over the success of the Maize and Blue program. Not everyone will start, though 8 to 12 are potential starters, but there is so much talent in this class that its ath- letes should complement the veterans in their third, fourth and fifth years. Thus far, no one has truly proven himself. Butt, Green and Smith had strong finishes to the 2013 campaign, and Lewis and Hill were favorites to earn starting jobs entering preseason camp, but even those five must pro- duce over the course of a 12-game regular season. The good news is this class is over- flowing with skill and should con- tinue to assume greater responsibility the next few years. THE TOP FOUR CONTRIBUTORS SO FAR 1. Jake Butt — Butt became only the 11th Michigan tight end since the advent of freshman eligibility in 1972 to see the field as a true freshman, and the fourth to start at least one game. His 20 catches and 235 yards were both rookie tight end records by a Wolverine. The 6-6, 249-pounder had ACL surgery in the spring and will miss training camp and the start of the season, but should be back by October at the latest. 2. Derrick Green — Running be- hind a porous offensive line, Green managed only 3.3 yards per carry, to- taling 270 yards and two touchdowns in 11 appearances. He did show what 2013 CLASS REVIEW Just GettinG STARTED Beginning Its Second Season In Ann Arbor, The 2013 Class Has A Chance To Occupy A Few Key Roles

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