The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/589596
MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Runyan Jr. and Nolan Ulizio — will not see the field this season, barring a sig- nificant disaster, but they have been progressing in practices. "Grant Newsome has got measureables," offensive line coach Tim Drevno said. "You look at him, and he's got long arms; he's got what you want. He's a smart kid, comes from a good family. His dad's a Secret Service agent. He's doing a nice job. "Runyon's doing a good job, Nolan Ulizio's doing a good job. You feel pleased about all three of those guys, and where they're headed. They're growing up." • With the emergence of true freshman Karan Higdon over the past two games, Michigan's running back options continue to grow. Higdon (10 carries) was one of six ball carriers to earn 10 or more rushes through seven games this season, joining junior tailback De'Veon Smith (a team-high 96 attempts), junior tailback Derrick Green (42), redshirt sophomore tailback Ty Isaac (30), redshirt junior tailback Drake Johnson (26) and senior fullback Sione Houma (16). "It's a little bit of the week of practice and the flow of the game," said position coach Tyrone Wheatley, when asked how he's dividing carries. "You never want to go into a game concrete. As the game is going you make adjustments." Smith has accumulated a team-high 436 yards and is on pace for just a shade under 1,000 (945) in a 13-game slate that should include a bowl game, but he has had 20 carries in a game only once this year, against Oregon State. "Football is called the ultimate team sport, and De'Veon is probably one of the ultimate teammates," Wheatley said. "He's very, very caring of his running backs, very supportive. "He understands this is a team. The ultimate goal is the Big Ten championship, the national title, and those types of things. Thinking of yourself doesn't quite help that goal. "He's been great." • Michigan saved redshirt freshman Jabrill Peppers' offensive debut for its matchup with Michigan State Oct. 17, in part because the coaches felt they could generate enough offense without him in previous contests. And they were right. However, with fifth-year senior quarterback Jake Rudock and his receivers continuing to struggle to find the chemistry on downfield throws, U-M is ex- pected to utilize Peppers more in the second half of the season, perhaps two to three times per game. • Junior cornerback Jourdan Lewis' impressive coverage skills this season have caught the attention of NFL scouts. At 5-10 and 175 pounds, Lewis is Season Buzz