The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN FOOTBALL moves along the defense this spring, but sophomore linebacker Desmond Morgan is not among them. Capable of sliding inside to middle linebacker, he will instead remain on the weak- side. "I'd like to keep him at the Will be- STAYING PUT • A number of players are making FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK Omameh started all 13 games at right guard for the Maize and Blue dur- ing his redshirt junior campaign, and he has started 29 consecutive games at the post entering his senior season. Brink was a key reserve along the de- cause he feels comfortable there," defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said. "Now strength-wise, punch-wise, physicality, he could play Mike, but he runs well enough because of his ef- fort and anticipation where he could always be the Will. " its All-Two-Star (And Fewer) Team for 2011 — safety Jordan Kovacs (walk- on), defensive lineman Nathan Brink (walk-on) and right guard Patrick Omameh (two stars). A redshirt junior in 2011, Kovacs UNDERRATED • SI.com named three Wolverines to fensive line during his redshirt soph- omore season, contributing a single tackle for loss in 11 games. safety Jarrod Wilson, linebacker Joe Bolden and linebacker Kaleb Ringer — will have a head start on their future classmates, and stand a better chance of contributing in 2012. However, ev- ery rookie that arrives over the sum- mer will be afforded the opportunity to play. "All the guys that we signed, we IN DUE TIME • Michigan's three early enrollees — started 12 games at strong safety and ranked second on the team with 75 stops. His eight tackles for loss and four sacks both led all Big Ten defen- sive backs. look at all of them as: 'We don't know which one of you guys will be ready early, ready after four, ready after five weeks, but you were all recruited to play whenever you're ready, said. "And the best players are going to play. "We think that's a talented group of defenders, and it's when that talent comes forward. defense, Michigan's freshmen will be afforded the chance to contribute on special teams. "We signed big, fast guys, and big, Even if they don't play on offense or " fast guys always help you on special teams, " "We'll find spots for those guys. That will help us improve our return game and in our coverage. " coordinator Dan Ferrigno said. CLASS IN SESSION • Brady Hoke and his staff welcome in a host of high school coaches, March 29-31, for the Michigan Foot- ball Coaches Clinic. The clinic costs $50 and can be paid online at Michigan- CoachesClinic.com, which features a schedule and speakers. Coaches will hear from Michigan '" Mattison because you're surrounded by other coaches who enjoy teaching football and whose passion it is to help de- velop our youth," Hoke noted. "This year's clinic lineup features some of the region's best high school and col- lege football coaches, and our entire staff is available in chalk talk sessions and on-the-field demonstrations. " BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY • Michigan's spring football practice begins March 17, culminating in a huge weekend for athletics around the U-M campus, April 14-15. The high- light, as always, involves the April 14 spring game, billed this year as the 2012 Mott Spring Football Scrimmage sponsored by PNC Bank. The scrimmage begins at noon inside Michigan Stadium, after the Victors Classic Alumni Flag Football Game, which starts at 10 a.m. Following the varsity football scrimmage, the men's lacrosse team enters into its first-ever varsity match against Ohio State, the "Battle in The Big House" set to com- mence at 2:30 p.m. Fans will be admitted free of charge to Michigan Stadium for all of these events. They can make a donation of choice to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital upon entering the stadium gates. The scrimmage and the lacrosse matchup will be televised live on the Big Ten Network. During the scrim- mage, Brady Hoke and U-M players will be giving interviews to the net- work. Saturday's events also feature the women's rowing team taking on Or- egon State at 9 a.m. on Belleville Lake, and the men's tennis squad squaring off against Nebraska at noon, in the Varsity Tennis Center. Red Berenson's ice hockey team conducts its annual garage sale at 8:30 a.m. inside Michi- gan's Indoor Track Building. On Sunday, The Big House Big Heart Right guard Patrick Omameh, who has started 29 straight games, earned recogni- tion from SI.com on its All-Two Star (And Fewer) Team for 2011. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL strength and conditioning coach Aaron Wellman, defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, offensive coordinator Al Borges and others. Those attend- ing will be able to attend Michigan's spring practices for the three days of the clinic, including one at Michigan Stadium. "The clinic is always a great time charity run winds up in Michigan Sta- dium. Runners can choose from a 10K, 5K and one-mile race to raise funds for several different charities. The run begins at 9 a.m. in Michigan Stadium and ends on the 50-yard line. That same day, the Michigan men's tennis team takes on Iowa at noon. The softball team plays a 1 p.m. dou- bleheader against Michigan State at Alumni Field. APRIL 2012 THE WOLVERINE 43