The Wolverine

April 2012

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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Spring Preview: Secondary U-M improved its past defense from 111th nationally (260.2 yards per game) to 16th (190.5 yards per game) and its pass efficiency defense from 96th (140.6 rating) to 36th (120.49 rating). Perhaps most impressively, the Wolverines limited the big plays they allowed. The entire starting secondary returns after a successful 2011 campaign in which In 2010, they surrendered 57 offensive plays of 20 yards or more, including 14 of 40 yards or greater. In 2011, Michigan allowed only 44 plays of 20 yards or more, including six of 40 yards or greater. Still, defensive coordinator Greg Mattison wasn't completely satisfied. "That whole position has to improve. It has to take the next step, sophomore cornerback Blake Countess to make big gains after starting at their respective positions for the first time. "Thomas needs to turn it loose, where, 'You've got to go. You can't worry about whether you're fast enough. You have to know what your job is and go as hard as you can. there and we need him to take a shot, go hit him. We need to get a lot more physi- cality out of him, because he's a strong kid, and if he's not a physical player then there is no reason to have him in there. "Blake knows that what he did as a freshman is not what we're looking for from "There were a number of plays in the Sugar Bowl where the back is just sitting " Mattison said. "We've had that conversation ' him next season. We need much, much better. There was good there, but, 'How good are you? Are you really good? Then let's really get there. "Every day at practice, it will be as if he never played before because we have to work on everything with him to take the next step." ' will use this spring to improve their weaknesses as they compete with Countess and incumbent fifth-year senior J.T. Floyd at cornerback. Gordon will see competi- tion from junior Marvin Robinson and early enrollee true freshman Jarrod Wilson. "Jarrod is a big, rangy safety that we're looking for, and there are a number of other guys in the mix," Mattison said. "Marvin, it's time for him to step up. He's Junior Courtney Avery and sophomores Raymon Taylor and Delonte Hollowell healthy. And then the young kids, like Delonte and Raymon at cornerback. "Spring practice is an opportunity for all these kids to work on their technique, and take steps forward. If all of them get better, now you've got a pretty good secondary. " — Michael Spath Mattison is, especially, looking to redshirt junior free safety Thomas Gordon and " he said. but also because the coaches feel Clark holds the potential to be a high-impact performer at rush end. First, though, he must stave off his classmate, Beyer, who played along the defensive line in high school be- fore transitioning to linebacker his freshman year at U-M. "The rush position has to be some- one that beats you one-on-one," Mat- tison said. "He has to have the ath- leticism to beat you with speed, as well as power. And that's what we see in those guys. "Brennen Beyer showed us some really good things this season. He's always been a guy with his hand on the ground, but we had him stand up as a Sam [linebacker] this year. But you knew he was going to get big. He's strong, he plays hard — 'Let's make him a rush end.' "We knew the athleticism Frank Clark had all along. And in his time here, he's gotten better and better. Everyone saw that great intercep- tion against Virginia Tech, but there were three other plays that were re- ally good football plays that I don't think he would have made early in the season. But he took what he was coached and did it. That's the prog- ress you need to see from all of these kids." Both Clark (6-2, 252) and Beyer (6-3, 255) weighed more than 250 pounds the last time they checked in with Mattison, and with their added weight and strength, and an- other spring, summer and fall camp to develop, they could become the dynamic edge threat the Wolverines lacked last year when Van Bergen led Michigan with 5.5 sacks. ites at their posts, but they will face competition. The coaches believe red- shirt freshmen Chris Rock and Keith Heitzman are on the rise at strongside end, while senior Will Campbell, red- shirt junior Quinton Washington and redshirt sophomore Richard Ash are all vying, with Black, to start inside. The 6-5, 322-pound Campbell has Roh, Black and Clark are the favor- IT'S NOW OR NEVER FOR WILL CAMPBELL Redshirt junior free safety Thomas Gordon ranked third on Michigan in tackles last sea- son, with 67 total stops including 41 solo hits. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN 32 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2012 one final season to fulfill the enor- mous hype that comes with being labeled a five-star prospect. "This is a huge spring for Will. It was a huge winter," Mattison said. "I don't want to jinx him, but I see a guy

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