The Wolverine

April 2012

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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ing freshmen Devin Funchess and A.J. Williams on National Signing Day. Hoke's Comment: "Let's see how he matures, in his mindset." career receiving yards at Canton South High School in Canton, Ohio, but he hasn't been able to crack the lineup since arriving in Ann Arbor. Robinson has recorded playing The Skinny: Robinson tallied 1,894 REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE WR JERALD ROBINSON time in two games and has yet to make a catch, but the Wolverines may need him in the fall. With the graduation of Junior Hemingway and the expulsion of Darryl Stonum, the Michigan receiv- ing corps is chock full of possession and slot receivers. The top returner is redshirt junior Jeremy Gallon, who averaged 34.8 receiving yards per game last year. Gallon, fifth-year senior Roy Roundtree and junior Drew Dileo do not provide that field-stretching deep threat that keeps defenses hon- est. If Robinson can stand out as a legitimate big-play guy, he could be an integral part of the offense in 2012. If not, junior Jeremy Jackson or in- coming freshman Amara Darboh will have to step up. Robinson, standing at 6-1, is the second-tallest receiver on the team. Hoke's Comment: "You talk about a big receiver? He's got the ability. It's a huge spring for him. A huge spring." not happy with middle linebacker Kenny Demens at times last season, specifically in the Wolverines' 23-20 overtime win in the Sugar Bowl, dur- ing which he missed several tackles and was out of position too many times. In 2011, Demens became the first The Skinny: The coaching staff was TRUE FRESHMAN MLB JOE BOLDEN Frank Clark appeared in 12 games in 2011, posting 10 tackles overall plus an interception in the Sugar Bowl win over Virginia Tech. with healthy competition and lend depth to a position that is currently woefully lacking it. Hoke's Comment: "We'll see what U-M middle linebacker since the 2008 season to lead the team in tack- les, finishing with 94, but there is still much for him to improve upon. Enter Joe Bolden, one of three early enrollees in the 2012 class, to chal- lenge Demens. Bolden will most likely not beat out Demens for the starting job. But, at the very least Bolden can push him end, and Clark could definitely fill it. With his raw athleticism and we've got. We like the heck out of Joe. You watch the high school-level stuff and the all-star game he played in — he's a football player." about moving Black inside to defen- sive tackle and senior Craig Roh over to the five-technique defensive end spot. The Skinny: The coaches have talked DE END FRANK CLARK SOPHOMORE This would open a big hole at rush PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL power, Clark forced his way onto the field as a true freshman, and re- corded one of the plays of the year in the Sugar Bowl, a leaping mid-air in- terception on a would-be screen pass. The Wolverines are looking for any answers they can find along the de- fensive line. And if Clark excels at the rush end spot in spring, it will bolster depth, and the coaches can feel good about the Black and Roh position moves. Hoke's Comment: "I'm excited to see what Frank does. Frank is a competi- tor, and a physical football player." ❏ APRIL 2012 THE WOLVERINE 39

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