The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/666058
MICHIGAN FOOTBALL The losses are not expected to sig- nificantly impact U-M on the field. Canteen was, at best, the No. 7 receiver on the team this fall (with Dukes be- hind him) after fifth-year seniors Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh, sopho- mores Drake Harris, Maurice Ways and Grant Perry, and early-enrolled freshman Ahmir Mitchell. Meanwhile, Dawson was looking up at senior cor- nerbacks Jourdan Lewis, Channing Stribling and Jeremy Clark, redshirt freshman Keith Washington, and quite possibly incoming rookies Lavert Hill and David Long. With their exits, the Wolverines are now down to 11 scholarship wideouts in 2016, including six freshmen, and seven cornerbacks. U-M has 83 total scholarships spoken for in the fall, bringing Michigan below the NCAA- mandated 85-man cap for the first time since the Maize and Blue signed 28 re- cruits on National Signing Day Feb. 2. Michigan is expected to give schol- arships to fifth-year senior defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow and fifth-year senior kicker Kenny Allen, both walk-ons. U-M also now has 19 scholarships to offer to the 2017 class, which currently has pledges from 11 prospects. MASON COLE'S MOVE TO CENTER APPEARS PERMANENT Midway through the spring, offen- sive coordinator and offensive line coach Tim Drevno said the Michigan staff was still evaluating whether center was the best position for ju- nior Mason Cole. It appears the 6-5, 305-pounder, who started at left tackle each of his first two seasons, is now a lock to start at center with no true competitor. "He's done a very nice job this spring," Drevno said. "That's a hard thing to do, stand with the ball in your hand with a 300-pound guy breathing down your neck and you have to snap it. He's really handled it beautifully." Michigan separated its starting five in the April 1 spring game, putting Cole and sophomore left tackle Grant Newsome on Team Maize, with fifth- year seniors Kyle Kalis (right guard) Erik Magnuson (right tackle) and Ben Braden (left tackle in the game but pro- jected to play left guard in 2016) on Team Blue. The 6-7, 300-pound Newsome, who started one game as a true freshman in 2015, had some good moments and Cole started at left tackle the last two years but appears to be making a long-term switch to center. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN