The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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Others enjoyed excellent seasons as well, including junior cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who used his man-to-man cover skills to become an All-American this year. But Chesson, a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the conference coaches, won out. Here's a look back at some other less-expected MVP winners for the Wolver- ines. Jeremy Gallon, 2013 — Gallon certainly stood tall as a fifth-year senior, catching 89 passes for 1,373 yards and nine touchdowns. He earned second- team recognition, though, on the coaches' and media's All-Big Ten squads. Quarterback Devin Gardner completed 60.3 percent of his passes that season for 2,960 yards and 21 touchdowns, but didn't get the MVP nod. Jordan Kovacs, 2012 — The surprise in Kovacs' recognition might be as- signed more to the big-picture likeliness of it happening, rather than the potential choices besides him. He went from freshman walk-on to posting 68 tackles, two sacks and an interception as a senior safety. Kovacs beat out quarterback Denard Robinson, who threw for 1,319 yards and rushed for 1,266 more for the 2012 Wolverines, accounting for 16 touchdowns. Rod Payne, 1996 — Payne proved a stalwart for the Wolverines, becoming an All-American at the center position. But it's the posi- tion itself that causes a double-take here. Offensive linemen just don't become MVPs. The Wolverines did feature a 1,000-yard rusher that year in Clarence Williams (1,027), while quar- terback Scott Dreisbach threw for 2,025 yards and 12 touchdowns before an injury opened the door for Brian Griese. B.J. ASKEW, 2002 — Askew enjoyed a solid season at running back, rushing for 568 yards and six touchdowns, with 36 catches for 280 yards and another TD. At awards time, he rose above fellow running back Chris Perry, who rushed for 1,110 yards and 14 touchdowns. Chris Hutchinson, 1992 — Hutchinson proved a force for the Wolverines, becoming Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 1992, with 11 sacks and 13 tackles for loss among his 63 stops. But it's always tough to beat out big offensive numbers, and that Michigan team was loaded. Tailback Tyrone Wheatley rushed for 1,357 yards and 13 touchdowns, even in a rotation with Jesse Johnson and Ed Davis, a trio that produced more than 2,500 yards rushing. — John Borton Periodicals Classification Mailed on Dec. Postmaster Please Deliver Immediately 0 9 1 4 3 0 2 7 9 1 8 4 3 2 > w w w . t h e w o l v e r i n e . c o m January 6, 2003 / $2.50 • Football Bust • Defensive Lineman Grant Bowman • Florida Scouting Report