The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/70103
R ton Award winner as the nation's top snapping lineman, an honor Michi- gan's David Molk nabbed in 2011. The team captain, with 41 starts (includ- ing 25 straight) under his belt, was also one of the leaders of a group that some would say overachieved last year, finishing with an 11-2 record. It's like 2005 all over again for the eplacing a veteran center is never easy. It's even harder when the departing man in the middle is the Riming- BY CHRIS BALAS Wolverines, a year in which U-M en- tered minus a fifth-year senior cap- tain and Rimington winner in David Baas. Finding a replacement wasn't easy then — Mark Bihl started the first four games before Adam Kraus slid over from guard to solidify the position — and it doesn't figure to be simple seven years later, either. redshirt junior Michael Schofield had a hold on the position, while Barnum never did reach 100 percent. Hoke is always quick to point out there is competition at every posi- tion, and this year — and this spot — will be no exception. "The leadership, that remains to be seen," Borges said. "From an abil- ity standpoint, though, he can play there." Borges also noted that fifth-year up much on our play-kill reel where he made a mistake which killed a play. We're hoping Mike can go out there and play at the level that Mark did." senior Rocko Khoury (6-4, 287) and redshirt freshman Jack Miller (6-4, 263) will also battle for the center position. Khoury has played sparingly in his A Hole In The Middle four years, but was the first man in when Molk was injured minutes be- fore the Allstate Sugar Bowl against Virginia Tech. Molk replaced him af- ter one series. Miller, meanwhile, has shown Center Is The Biggest Question Mark For The Offense This Spring much as any on the team, save maybe the quarterback," Michigan offen- sive coordinator Al Borges noted a month before the start of spring ball. "What's tough in particular is we're not just replacing a center. We're re- placing the Rimington winner. He was a smart kid who was quick and tough and really brought a lot to the table, not just from his ability to play but also his leadership situation. "That can be a little painful. But we "That's a growing pain position as think we've got some candidates that will step up." Head coach Brady Hoke an- nounced in February that Ricky Bar- num would get first crack, but the fifth-year senior will have plenty to prove. The 6-3, 292-pounder was one of the more talked about linemen in fall camp last year and held the start- ing left guard spot for three games, but injuries derailed him for most of the season. By the time it ended, Fifth-year senior Ricky Barnum (shown in last year's Spring Game) made three starts at left guard in 2011, but he will get first crack at the center position this spring. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL glimpses in practice, but his lack of experience is noteworthy. He has yet to see game action, having redshirted a year ago, and continues to learn and build strength. Even should someone emerge, the lack of experienced depth makes center the top of the priority list this spring. more usually follow. Schofield was solid in his first significant year of action on the offensive line, but sev- eral had him pegged for a tackle slot once veteran Mark Huyge finally de- parted. That's exactly where he'll be this spring, with how long he stays is de- pendent on how well he fares. At 6-7, 299, Schofield has all the tools to ex- cel on the edge and will be given first opportunity to win Huyge's vacant right tackle spot. "He's a natural tackle out there," When there's one shakeup, a few POSITION BATTLES NOT LIMITED TO CENTER Borges said. "Mark Huyge was one of the unsung heroes a year ago, a very steady player who didn't show back-ups — especially at the tackle positions — remain to be seen. "It could be some of the freshman kids coming in. That's possible. Elliott plays some tackle, too, and that could be a possibility. We've got a couple of walk-on kids who have been work- ing their tails off, as well. It will be interesting to see how it develops." So, too, will the wide receiver po- 302) figures to have the left tackle job locked up again, while fifth-year senior Patrick Omameh (6-4, 299) re- turns at right guard. Theoretically, that leaves only the left guard po- sition vacant, with several capable candidates vying for time. Fifth-year senior Elliott Mealer (6-5, 310) will be one of them and Khoury another, Borges confirmed. There's been plenty of talk, too, about behemoth redshirt freshman Chris Bryant, who might be the strongest of the bunch (on the field) at 6-4, 331 pounds. "We're going to find the five best Redshirt junior Taylor Lewan (6-8, guys regardless of what positions they play," Borges said, adding the sition, which took a couple of key hits with the loss of both Sugar Bowl MVP Junior Hemingway and the di- minutive but effective Martavious Odoms, who came up with several big plays down the stretch in his fi- nal year, including key touchdowns against Nebraska and Ohio State. The coaches have already done some tinkering on paper to get the right group on the field, starting by mov- ing fifth-year senior Roy Roundtree outside to flanker where Hemingway played. "Roy was awesome. He took a hit statistically [from the previous year], but he was very good about it," Borges said. "A lot of guys would have whined if they weren't catching as many passes, but Roy didn't. APRIL 2012 THE WOLVERINE 27