The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/432566
M ichigan fifth-year senior line- backer Jake Ryan stood tall for the Wolverines at awards time, with the Butkus Award finalist and team MVP earning first-team All-Big Ten honors from both coaches and media. Ryan led the Wolverines with 112 tackles, after making the move from outside linebacker to middle line- backer in his final season. He fin- ished his career with 267 tackles, which included 9.5 sacks among 45.5 tackles for loss. His teammates voted him a captain, along with fifth-year senior quarterback Devin Gardner, following the 2014 campaign. Ryan drew extensive praise at Michigan's Football Bust, with de- fensive coordinator Greg Mattison pointing up what a team player he is and the sacrifice he made in switch- ing positions. Mattison noted players such as Ryan make coaching worth all the energy, time and commitment. "This is the guy," the defensive co- ordinator noted, with considerable emotion. Unfortunately for Michigan, and perhaps reflective of a 5-7 season, Ryan was the only guy voted All-Big Ten first team by the league's coaches and media. Junior wide receiver Devin Funch- ess — who made known following the season his intention to not re- turn as a Michigan player in 2015 — earned second-team recognition on the coaches' squad. Funchess led MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Jake Ryan Is Lone Wolverine On All-Big Ten First Team Ryan earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from both the coaches and the media after leading the Wolverines with 112 tackles in 2014. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL