The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 111 LINEBACKERS learned it pretty fast, and I feel like we've got it down pat." McCray acknowledges the 'backers have naturally assumed some of their head coach's swagger. "We've got all that experience on the defense," McCray said. "I'll probably be the least experienced guy on the field. We've all got that type of swagger that Coach has." McCray also insisted on the Wolverines not taking a step back from a strong first year under this head coach. "Every position is going to do their job well," he said. "This team can be one of the top teams in the country. We all want the same thing. We want improvement off last year. "It's just bond together and build that confidence in each other. We'll believe in each other, knowing we will all do our jobs. Once camp comes, we can improve off of that — then go out there that first week and prove the defense is for real." McCray doesn't disrespect those who played and started last season. At the same time, he's not about to downplay what the Wol- verines formulated in spring practice and are working diligently on through the summer months. "We all know we're capable to step up," No. 9 quietly insisted. "All of those guys were great players here. They played for a long time, a lot of snaps. We can do just as well … or even better." He'll likely get a chance to back up those words. That process, for all of them, began in spring practice, according to their coach. "Ben has been in this program and learned a lot from some great guys," Partridge said. "He hit the ground running and really took control, was a great leader for us. "Mike was great, too — a great leader and did a lot for us in the spring. He exceeded expectations. Everyone was in it together, learn- ing the new scheme and learning how to be coached by Don Brown and me. "It was a really good spring. We got really tight and bonded really well. They learned a lot of football and played a lot of football." ❏ Mike McCray Sr. served as an Ohio State captain in the 1980s and is a former linebacker who has been around a hard-hitting practice or two. He understands what linebacker play should look like. He's not saying the Wolverines — one of which is his son, redshirt junior inside 'backer Mike McCray II — will come out of the gate looking like world beaters. That said, the elder McCray quickly brushes aside any gloom and doom sentiments about a crew with limited starting experience. He likes what he's seen out of the new wave of Wolverines. "They're going to be more athletic, a little faster," the elder McCray said. "They're going to make some mistakes — mistakes that hopefully don't cost them anything major. They're going to have to grow. "They're going to be a little bigger. They're pretty nice-sized linebackers. The young guy [freshman Devin Bush] looks pretty good — he's explosive." And they aren't too shabby at the outside linebacker spot, noted the former Buckeye who, for the time being, weighs in as a converted Michigan fan. "Outside 'backer?" he mused. "Come on — you've got [Jabrill] Peppers there. I think they're going to be really okay." Of course, the true test there comes at the end of the regular season, when the Wolver - ines line up against Ohio State's power spread. The former OSU linebacker will be wearing Michigan gear for that one, in support of his son's team. He won't venture any predictions on how that particular match-up will go, and perhaps wisely so. It's safe to say, though, that one of new defensive coordinator Don Brown's chief assignments will involve coming up with a scheme to slow the OSU roll. Any such plan will involve the linebackers intimately. That group has a full 11 games to grow prior to heading for Columbus, and they'll be okay, assured one who has been there. — John Borton PRESEASON ANALYSIS: LINEBACKERS Starters ✪ ✪ ✪ They're all new to starting roles at linebacker, but certainly not new to Michigan's defense. The question involves how quickly senior Ben Gedeon, redshirt junior Mike Mc- Cray and redshirt sophomore Jabrill Peppers can get up to speed. Fortunately for them, Michigan's schedule sets up for early stumbles without big consequences. Depth ✪ ✪ This represents a tricky aspect of the season for the inside linebackers, especially. Gedeon and McCray need to be stalwarts or the Wolverines might be playing true fresh- men extensively in the middle. X-Factor It's all about the health and durability inside. See: Depth. Overall ✪ ✪ ✪ The linebackers will be labeled the most iffy aspect of this defense — at least until they prove they're not. There are plenty of moving parts, but Michigan has to develop depth and get a little lucky with no major injuries to maximize the potential of the present group. Note: Star rankings are based on a scale of 1-5 stars. Michigan's addition of defensive coordinator Don Brown, who also helps with the linebackers, was named the No. 1 assistant hire this offseason by Athlon Sports. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS Leading Returning Tackler At Linebacker Year Player Solo Asst. Total TFL Sacks 2015 Jabrill Peppers 34 11 45 5.5-16 0.0-0 2014 Joe Bolden 55 47 102 4.0-18 2.0-15 2013 James Ross III 46 39 85 5.5-23 1.5-17 2012 Jake Ryan 56 32 88 16.0-71 4.5-35 2011 Kenny Demens 49 45 94 5.0-20 3.0-18 2010 Kenny Demens 47 35 82 1.5-2 0.0-0 2009 Obi Ezeh 27 42 69 5.0-8 0.0-0 2008 Obi Ezeh 59 39 98 7.0-27 1.0-7 2007 Obi Ezeh 33 35 68 4.0-18 2.0-14 2006 Shawn Crable 28 9 37 10.5-40 4.5-26 Another Mike McCray Gives A Thumbs Up