The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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been the game-winning touchdown had the Blue converted the two-point conversion. 3. Running Back Ty Isaac — Isaac might be the most talented back on the Michigan roster. He didn't put him- self in position to show it a year ago, af- ter getting nicked up in the spring and admitting he needed to better learn the high expectations of a back on a Harbaugh-coached squad. Isaac insists he's there now and looked like he was out to prove it in the spring game. He paced the ball carriers, ripping off a pair of long runs on his way to his 78 rushing yards out of the 104 gained on the ground by the Maize. If he continues in that mode, there's little doubt he can carve out some time in a running backs rotation come fall. 4. Inside linebacker Mike McCray — McCray was all smiles after the spring game, and for good reason. He was a stalwart on the winning squad, posting a game-high seven tackles and par- ticipating in the stop on an attempted two-point conversion that would have won the game for the Blue. McCray was on his way to a steak dinner. More importantly, he's very likely on his way to a starting linebacker job in the fall. He made it through spring practice unscathed by serious injury, which he didn't do last year. McCray has consistently impressed new defensive coordinator Don Brown and linebackers coach Chris Partridge, and could be a vital part of what ap- pears to be a very solid group of de- fenders. 5. Junior center Mason Cole — Cole made the move from left tackle to cen- ter this spring, and it wasn't a wholly new experience. He'd filled in there a year ago, when eventual starting cen- ter Graham Glasgow was suspended for a portion of spring ball. Still, all eyes were on how Cole would handle him- self in making the move and acting as the new point of Michigan's offensive spear. So far, so good. Cole had no issues with exchanges in the spring game, working with multiple quarterbacks, and the Wolverines were able to both run the ball and pass protect against the aforementioned strong defense. Cole will continue to improve over the course of the summer and fall camp, Redshirt junior quarterback John O'Korn started for the Blue team and went 6-of-14 passing for 93 yards, while also rushing for a six-yard touchdown. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN