The Wolverine

May 2016 Issue

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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BY MICHAEL SPATH M ichigan's defensive line- men racked up 45.5 tack- les for loss and 24 sacks in 2015, numbers that rank as the best and second-best totals by a front four in the last decade, respec- tively. However, if the Wolverines want to be considered the best de- fensive line ever to wear the winged helmet — and they do — there are barometers that must be met. Michigan's defensive front in 1995 accrued 70.0 tackles for loss and 33 sacks on their own, while the 2006 unit helped hold opponents to just 43.4 rushing yards per game. This year 's group, thus, has very high bars to reach. But with four se- niors back — ends Chris Wormley and Taco Charlton, and tackles Ryan Glasgow and Matt Godin — plus experienced redshirt junior tackle Maurice Hurst, redshirt sophomore tackle Bryan Mone, redshirt sopho- more end Chase Winovich and the arrival of five-star end Rashan Gary, Michigan likes its chances. "There is a great deal of talent, a great deal of experience, and I am very excited about it," position coach Greg Mattison said. "With that ex- citement comes expectations from me and from them. "If you want to be in that elite group, considered one of the best at Michigan, they know what the top is, they know what is expected of them, then let's work to do it." "We have some veteran guys that are really hungry and some younger guys that are getting after it," Worm- ley added. "We haven't had many seniors during my career, but right now we have a group of older guys that have played a lot of football to- gether and understand what it takes to be successful over the course of an entire game and an entire season. "I definitely think there have been learning curves for all of us, but when you look at myself, Taco, Mo Hurst, Glasgow, Godin, you've got a solid corps of upperclassmen that can lead this group and then you've got a lot of young guys, like Mone, [redshirt sophomore end Lawrence] Marshall, Winovich, that are going to Fresh Faces Spring Practices Provided An Opportunity For Bryan Mone And Chase Winovich To Show- case Their Potential

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