The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/70103
rienced player last year, Schofield pushed fifth-year senior right tackle Mark Huyge for the starting role in fall camp. Huyge eventually won the job, but it was clear that Schofield was ready to take the field. And he did. When Barnum went The Skinny: As a young, inexpe- OL MICHAEL SCHOFIELD REDSHIRT JUNIOR cism and pulling abilities, the coaches may want to keep him at guard. The offensive line is one of Michi- gan's biggest question marks next season, and Schofield is a big piece of that. He is likely going to be a starter, but the Wolverines need to figure out what position he'll occupy so they can start building elsewhere. Hoke's Comment: "I'm excited about down with an injury, the coaches moved Schofield over, instead of plugging in a reserve guard, like Elliott Mealer. Schofield went on to start at left guard for the Wolverines' final nine games. With the graduation of Huyge, it Mike. I'm excited to see as he con- tinues to physically fill out. He's a young-looking guy, and a later-ma- turing guy. As his body comes to- gether, and his mindset, I'm excited to see it." was assumed that Schofield would move back to the tackle position in 2012, but now that may not be the case. Because of Schofield's athleti- The Skinny: Gordon started the first eight games of the year at free safety. REDSHIRT JUNIOR S THOMAS GORDON When Countess took over for Wool- folk at cornerback, Woolfolk bumped back to safety and beat Gordon out of his starting spot. Gordon played sparingly as a re- serve in some games. During one, the loss at Iowa, he didn't see the field at all. The free safety spot could be Gordon's to lose. If he has a tough spring, it could open the door for several players waiting in the wings for a shot. Junior Marvin Robinson and red- shirt sophomore Josh Furman are two ultra-athletic guys who have plenty to prove. They have appeared in a combined five games on defense, all but one in garbage time. They have the raw skill; now, they have to develop the mental aspect of the position. True freshman Jarrod Wilson, one of three early enrollees in the 2012 class, could also vie for playing time with a strong showing in spring and fall camps. Hoke's Comment: "His confidence in how he plays the game has to in- crease. Thomas made some strides, there is no question about it, but his confidence in how he plays, and what he sees, and how he reacts, has to improve. Some of that is prepara- tion from film study." calls for tight ends to fill two differ- ent roles. The Y position is more of a blocking position, an important piece in the power run game. That spot is probably locked up by fifth-year se- nior Brandon Moore. The U position is more of a pass catching position, lining up in differ- ent spots all over the field to create mismatches. With a strong spring, Miller could take over that position, vacated by the graduated Kevin Koger. Miller came into the program as a wide re- ceiver, but has since bulked up to 234 pounds, so he can fill the tight end role. He has yet to make his first career catch. If Miller doesn't rise to the chal- Michael Schofield started at left guard in Michigan's final nine games of 2011, and he is expected to be one of the mainstays of the offensive line this season. 38 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2012 PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN lenge this spring, he could have a few motivated youngsters challeng- ing him in fall camp. Tight ends coach Dan Ferrigno praised incom- The Skinny: The Michigan offense REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE TE RICARDO MILLER