The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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At the same time, they'll be looking to grow up quickly. Wheatley would like to find a clear-cut lead rusher, just like those before him tried to do, but couldn't, over the past couple of years. With that as a prize, it only intensi- fies the competition. "I'd like to say one back, but right now I really can't tell," Wheatley said. "I don't know who or what will emerge after this spring. As a coach you want great competition, for ev- eryone to rise to the top. You want the decision to be the hardest decision ever to make. That's what we shoot for. "I hope [to have a lead rusher] after spring ball, but that's why we also have fall ball. It gives you a basic stan- dard where you're going into it, then a midway point what needs to be done — where are you?" That question applies to many Michigan position groups in the spring of 2015, but the scrutiny on the spot Wheatley played is huge, and no one knows it better than him. That's one of the reasons he says he hasn't delved much into nostalgia over his own return to Ann Arbor. There's simply too much work to be done. "My focus is a Big Ten champion- ship, a national championship, a 2,000- yard rusher," he said. "I'm the type of person that once I left here, I was on to better things and the things this place catapulted me on to do — that's what my mindset was. Now I'm back here for a totally different reason now. I'm a coach." He's a coach on a mission, a char- acteristic not lacking at Schembechler Hall these days. ❑ Michigan's Possible Breakout Performers Michigan features a roster showing signs of growing up, at a number of key positions. Take the raw materials, add in explosive igniters of anger over a 5-7 season and a highly motivated new coaching staff, and 2015 could prove a very different story. The Wolverines featured players who might have enjoyed big years last year, but for injury, redshirting or other circumstances. They also put younger players on the field who were still feeling their way at the Big Ten level. Now, a number of those performers have a chance to come through and firmly establish themselves on Saturday afternoons at The Big House and be- yond. Here are five Wolverines who are good bets to break loose. (Note: Class years indicated are for fall 2015.) • Jabrill Peppers, So., S — Michigan fans spent an entire offseason dreaming about arguably the best prep performer in the nation in 2013 jumping into ac- tion at Michigan Stadium. As it turns out, they got to see Peppers perform for about a quarter of the season. A knee injury against Utah kept him off the field for the remainder of the year. He wound up with three tackles, one punt return for six yards and an increased ache to get going on the collegiate level.