The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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S get another chance to crack the first string. Teams have a chance to ad- dress concerns without the threat of a big game looming at the end of the week. And, in Michigan's case, the blueprint for Team 133 will become a bit more defined in the process. These 10 players have a shot to pring football is an exciting time. Young, unheralded players are given a chance to stand out. Veteran reserves BY ANDY REID make a name for themselves during the Wolverines' 15 spring practices: Hoke's Comment: "He's got to stay healthy, and it's his time." PLAYERS TO WATCH field in 11 career games, mostly in mop-up time at the end of blowouts. But the last time Michigan fans saw Khoury, he replaced an injured Molk on the opening series of the Sugar Bowl. Two of three plays on the drive ended when quarterback Denard Robinson had to cover up a muffed shotgun snap. The Skinny: Khoury has seen the FIFTH-YEAR SENIOR C ROCKO KHOURY replace a multiple-year starter at any position. When that position is center, and the player who is being replaced (David Molk) was an All- American and Rimington Award winner, an early-season learning curve is inevitable. Michigan head coach Brady Hoke said Barnum may get the first crack at the center spot. Of course, the center position is the The Skinny: It's always tough to FIFTH-YEAR SENIOR OL RICKY BARNUM Ten Wolverines Who Could Step Up This Spring If Khoury can evolve into a reli- able starter at center, the Wolverines' already thin offensive line will have a few more options to work with. Barnum can remain at guard while learning center behind Khoury, lend- ing depth to all three interior line positions. The Michigan coaches have repeat- most difficult to learn along the line. Not only does a player have to get used to doing his job while hurling a ball between his legs, but he also has to be intricately aware of what the de- fense is doing, in order to call block- ing audibles, and have the leadership qualities necessary to distribute in- game advice to those around him. Barnum will have a lot of work to do through the spring and the fall if he wants to take over the position by opening weekend. Barnum has been around for a long time, but has seen the field only nine times — making three starts, all at left guard (he has never taken game snaps at center before). An injury sidelined him last year after he earned the starting spot at guard, so he still has to prove the he can be an every-down type of player. Last season, as a true freshman, cornerback Blake Countess made six starts, and he posted 44 tackles, though he is still looking for his first career interception. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL edly stated that the best five linemen will always be on the field. If Khoury, who hasn't quite passed that thresh- old yet, cannot prove that he's game ready by Sept. 1, Hoke and offensive line coach Darrell Funk won't put him in the game. Hoke's Comment: "It's a big spring for Rock. His time has come. I like his worth ethic. The three plays he got in the Virginia Tech game has to help. They really do. I know it's only three plays, but that experience has to help." the 2011 season, the cornerback po- sition was a huge concern for U-M. The secondary had been torched for 261.8 yards per game in 2010, and the two most experienced returners, Troy Woolfolk (2007-11) and fifth-year se- nior J.T. Floyd, were coming back from serious ankle injuries. Countess first stepped on the field The Skinny: In the summer before CB BLAKE COUNTESS SOPHOMORE Campbell, who came into Michigan as a five-star prospect and one of the most highly sought-after defensive linemen in the 2009 class, has just one more season to live up to his potential. In three years in Ann Arbor, Camp- The Skinny: It's hard to believe that DT WILLIAM CAMPBELL SENIOR bell has recorded just 15 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks. He showed more consistency as a junior, stepping in as a reserve tackle for starters Mike Martin and Will Heininger. But with both of those players graduating, the Wolverines need Campbell to step up in his final season. He has the talent — and the coach- ing staff has been pleased with the work he's shown in the last year. Now, he has to put everything together. If Campbell can be the guy in the pains, and he lost some confidence against Ohio State and Virginia Tech. Countess is listed at 5-10, so he has to learn to use body positioning and timing to more effectively cover larger receivers. If he works on tech- nique and hits the weight room this offseason, he and Floyd should be a dynamic pair of corners. If not, junior Courtney Avery — who got plenty of playing time as a nickel back last sea- son — will be chomping at his heels. Hoke's Comment: "His confidence level has to keep growing as a corner in this league. He could be a very good player for us. He got a little gun shy against Ohio. He probably re- bounded a little better in the Virginia Tech game. He's a work in progress." middle, then the three-technique becomes a battle between redshirt junior Quinton Washington, junior Ji- breel Black (who is moving over from defensive end), and true freshmen Ondre Pipkins and Willie Henry. But if Campbell can't earn the in the fourth game and quickly made a name for himself, starting the Wol- verines' final six contests. True freshman starters are ex- pected to go through some growing coaches' trust by the end of fall camp, the defensive line may be in serious trouble. Hoke's Comment: "I'm excited about what Will has done to this point, and how he's maybe growing up." APRIL 2012 THE WOLVERINE 37