The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SPRINGING FORWARD To Hit The Practice Fields Team 133 Prepares off the Louisiana Superdome surface with his 11-2 Sugar Bowl champs. He's toweled off since, but Hoke finds himself immersed in something else these days. He and his staff turned the page quickly, landing a stunning 14 verbal commitments for 2013 before March Madness rolled around. They also dove into preparation for the 2012 campaign, underscored by the March 17 beginning of spring practice. Hoke admits the returning Wol- T he last time Michigan fans saw head coach Brady Hoke in action, he was saturated in Gatorade and walking BY JOHN BORTON verines carry a little spring in their step from the confidence-building 2011 season. He's just as quick to cau- tion that the 1998 Michigan team felt pretty good about itself coming off a national championship, then stum- bled out of the gate. In other words, wipe the slate clean. "That 132 team is all gone," Hoke said. "Every team is different. It's how we're going to go out and play, how we're going to represent, how we're going to trust, respect and all that." It's also about the nuts and bolts, spring outlook, starting with a de- fense that jumped from No. 108 in the nation in average points surren- dered (35.23) in 2010 to No. 6 in 2011 (17.38). Here's a primer on Michigan's and Van Bergen played a huge role in Michigan's success against the score. But the Wolverines have options up front, along with three defensive line coaches — designated D-line coach Jerry Montgomery, defensive coor- dinator Greg Mattison and Hoke himself — itching to remake that key component. Some personnel moves (see side- Defensive Line Obviously, players such as Martin bar) will help shore up the gaps. Se- nior Craig Roh slides from rush end to the five-technique (strongside de- fensive end), while sophomore Bren- nen Beyer moves from strongside linebacker to compete with sopho- more Frank Clark at the rush. Junior Jibreel Black switches from how the Wolverines retool after los- ing key performers such as Mike Martin, Ryan Van Bergen and Will Heininger off the defensive line, along with center David Molk and right tackle Mark Huyge. It's senior quarterback Denard Robinson making a leap forward, producing more consistency (i.e., fewer interceptions) along with the highlight reel he's become. It's Wol- verines on both sides of the ball fol- lowing suit. In terms of building off the success of 2011, head coach Brady Hoke is quick to cau- tion that last year's squad, Team 132, "is all gone" and that each season is different. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN the rush to the three-technique (the defensive tackle beside the nose tackle), a spot at which he performed in certain situations last year. He'll compete with redshirt junior Quin- ton Washington, leaving senior Will Campbell and redshirt sophomore Richard Ash battling at nose tackle. One of the biggest keys — both literally and figuratively — involves Campbell. The 315-pound (formerly 340) veteran performed in all 13 U-M games last season, recording 14 tackles, a pair of sacks and a fumble recovery. His maturing into a start- ing role and a defensive line anchor would be a major plus for Mattison's crew. the runs," Hoke noted. "He's work- ing his butt off in the weight room. His body fat — and [U-M strength and conditioning coordinator] Aaron [Wellman] would know that better "He's doing a great job out here in than I do — is down. His body looks better. He's really done a great job in the leadership role." Campbell isn't a finished product, despite nearing the finish line of his career. Hoke, Mattison and Mont- gomery will be pushing to see him make the most of his final campaign. "He has to have a consistency in how he plays, every play, from the focus you need to have on your ini- tial key," Hoke said. "Sometimes Will would have a tendency to worry about too many other things besides the main thing — the offensive line- man, who is that visual key." Another potential contributor, walk-on redshirt junior defensive tackle Nathan Brink, broke his leg in bowl workouts. He's doing some light jogging and won't take contact in the spring, but should be back for the fall. about restructuring the defensive line at a high level, but even more determined to get a high level of per- formance out of the linebacking crew. That starts with a veteran in fifth- year senior middle linebacker Kenny Demens. Demens led the team in tackles last Linebackers Michigan coaches are concerned year, with 94, while racking up three sacks among five tackles for loss, two pass breakups and a forced fumble. Hoke and Mattison are more focused on what they want Demens to do bet- ter — starting with stops. "Kenny needs to be a better tack- ler," Hoke said. "He needs to play more consistently throughout the year. Kenny was a good football player for us, but his goals and our goals for him have to be higher — the consistency, the leadership, doing ev- erything the way a middle linebacker should." Senior Mike Jones will compete there as well, and early enrollee Joe Bolden is definitely one to watch in the spring. The prep standout ar- rived in January, went through win- ter workouts and will jump into the fray at middle (Mike) linebacker. "I think we've got great competi- tion, when you look at it," Hoke said. At the strongside (Sam) spot, redshirt sophomore Jake Ryan is ready to build on a rookie season that saw him start 11 games and re- cord 37 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, APRIL 2012 THE WOLVERINE 21