The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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U-M's fullbacks, on their own, would deserve an "A" grade, contributing 148 rushing yards and three scores on 25 car- ries (5.9-yard average), while also adding seven receptions. Seniors Sione Houma and Joe Kerridge have been strong blockers, too, and their play elevates the overall running back grade up from a "B." Best Player: De'Veon Smith Most Improved: Sione Houma On The Rise: Derrick Green Impact Freshman: Karan Higdon Tight End: A Reason For The Grade: Another school in the nation may have more talented tight ends than Michigan's collection, but there may not be a group more pro- ductive than the Wolverines' four pri- mary tight end targets, who have com- bined for 38 receptions, 471 yards and a TD. Comparatively, U-M's tight ends have not been responsible for that much production since Bennie Joppru's All- American season in 2002, when he alone had 53 grabs for 579 yards, and his tight end teammates added four catches for 54 yards. Junior Jake Butt is the star, ranking second on the team in receptions (23), yards (278) and scores (one), and ev- ery week a new tight end rises up — redshirt freshman Ian Bunting had two grabs for 33 yards against Oregon State, redshirt sophomore Khalid Hill had two for 39 against BYU, and senior A.J. Wil- liams had a career-high four catches for 48 yards against Northwestern and two for 20 yards against MSU. Consistently open and dependable, with only one combined drop this sea- son, the tight ends were on the other end of 31.4 percent of Rudock's com- pletions in seven games, and continue to contribute at levels unseen at Michi- gan in more than a decade. Best Player: Jake Butt Most Improved Player: A.J. Williams On The Rise: Khalid Hill Impact Freshman: Ian Bunting Special Teams: A Reason For The Grade: In seven games, the coverage units have been outstand- ing, the punt team allowing just 6.1 yards on eight of 22 returnable punts and the kickoff team ranking 30th na- tionally in allowing 18.8 yards on 19 kickoffs, with redshirt junior Kenny Al- len recording 19 touchbacks among 41 kickoffs this year. Fifth-year senior Blake O'Neill could be haunted forever by the botched punt that led to Michigan State's 27- 23 victory over Michigan Oct. 17, but overall he has been one of the nation's best punters. He was averaging 41.1 yards per punt, dropping 17 of 33 punts inside the 20-yard line while forcing returners to call a fair catch nine times. Allen has answered the pressing ques- tion of who would kick field goals, by connecting on 10 of 12 chances (83.3 percent), including three of five from 40 yards or more. Peppers (punt returns of 24, 29 and 34 yards) and Chesson (a 96-yard kick- off return) are putting opponents in a tough spot, knowing the Wolverines can break a long one at any time. Best Player: Blake O'Neill Most Improved Player: Kenny Allen On The Rise: Jehu Chesson Impact Freshman: Jabrill Peppers ❏