The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS The 5-10, 176-pound Lewis also had an outstanding year, setting a new Michi- gan single-season record with 22 passes defended, including two interceptions. "I was a little more surprised by Jour- dan Lewis because I think the biggest negative to him is his size, and that's not going to get any better next year," Brugler said. "But it will be fun watching him on Saturdays next year. He's a very good college player, and it's great for the Wolverines that they get both of these guys back." Among the draft-eligible prospects graduating, Brugler thinks that line- backer Desmond Morgan could be the first Wolverine to hear his name called. The 6-1, 236-pound middle linebacker had 71 tackles and two stops for loss this season, returning for a fifth year after playing in just one game during the 2014 campaign. He finished his career with 300 tackles, 16 stops for loss, nine passes broken up and two interceptions. "After redshirting last year, you weren't sure what to expect from him this year, but he was all over the field," Brugler said. "He was a blitzer, a guy that could play in the middle but play in space. He has lateral range, played sideline to sideline, quick reactions, strings runs out to the perimeter. "Morgan is a physical player, aggressive but also at the same time, [he's] smart. I think he has the best shot to go a bit higher than his teammates, as long as the medicals check out." Morgan's competition for the top over- all pick out of Michigan could be quarter- back Jake Rudock. The graduate transfer from Iowa threw for 3,017 yards with 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while completing 64.0 percent of his pass attempts. He is only the second Wolverine in school his- tory to throw for 3,000 yards in a season (John Navarre, 2003). "I was really impressed with him," Bru- gler said. "He became so much more confident and comfortable in the sec- ond half of the season, trusting his arm, trusting his reads. You could tell he was really starting to trust his teammates, throwing in a spot to allow his receivers to make a play. "But there are still things he's going to struggle with in the NFL — he stares down reads. He does a nice job with structure, but once a play breaks down he struggles a little bit. He's not the big- gest guy. "It's not a strong quarterback class at the top, but there is a lot of depth. I think there are 10-12 quarterbacks that teams will have above him." While this year's draft will likely include very little Michigan fanfare, next year should be more exciting with Butt, Lewis and redshirt junior receiver Jehu Ches- son. "He can be a dynamite target," Brugler said of the 6-3, 207-pound wideout. "He can get open. He's big, he's fast. He has a long stride. He has a big catching ra- dius and goes up to attack the football. There's a lot of potential there. "With Michigan, next year will definitely be a big year for NFL prospects." And one could include redshirt fresh- man Jabrill Peppers, though U-M fans are certainly hopeful Peppers stays through the 2017 season. The 6-1, 205-pound defensive back played dime linebacker, cornerback, nickel back, safety, wide re-