The Wolverine

September 2016

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/716367

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 48 of 83

SEPTEMBER 2016 THE WOLVERINE 49 and blocking ability. He should figure into the rotation this season. WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Michael Ferns, LB: Ferns was the Pied Piper of the class and helped re- cruit several others with him, but he decided to transfer to West Virginia after Brady Hoke was fired in De- cember 2014. He cited a desire to be closer to his family in St. Clairsville, Ohio (90 miles from WVU's campus compared to close to 300 miles from Ann Arbor) and will be eligible to play this year. No longer in football: Brady Pal- lante, DL. Up in the air: Freddy Canteen, WR. He is not listed on the roster, but is not yet officially off the team following two shoulder surgeries. ❏ REPORT CARD — C+ There are three stars in Peppers, Cole and — soon — Mone, but the group is mostly made up of unprovens beyond that trio. This is the year many of them should step up into backup roles, while next year could be their coming- out seasons. It's a small group, but several of them should factor into the two- deep this fall and contribute to the success of a team favored by many to win the Big Ten. 2014 CLASS OVERVIEW Players In Class: 16 Rivals.com Team Ranking: No. 31 Players Still At Michigan: 14 (WR Freddy Canteen's status is up in the air) Name Pos. Recruiting Stars Ian Bunting TE 4 Bunting has added nine pounds of good weight and should get more playing time this year. He could be a weapon in the passing game. Juwann Bushell-Beatty OL 3 Still battling to break into the two-deep, but continues to bide his time. He might have to wait until next season to compete for a starting job barring injury to others. Mason Cole OL 4 In 2014, he became the first true freshman in school history to start the season opener on the offensive line. Since then, he has opened every game at left tackle and will now try to become the anchor of the line at center. Noah Furbush LB 3 Has regained weight lost due to injury and is back up to 240 pounds, running a 4.54 40-yard dash. He'll back up Jabrill Peppers. Drake Harris WR 4 Has battled injuries his entire career, but could be a weapon if he stays healthy. A potential deep threat. Lawrence Marshall DE 3 Might have to wait until next year to get a real shot given the depth on the line, but he's got potential. Bryan Mone DT 3 Now 6-4, 310 pounds, Mone will team with Ryan Glasgow to give Michigan its best one-two punch at nose tackle in recent memory. He's a beast. Jabrill Peppers LB/DB 5 Moves to linebacker to give new defensive coordinator Don Brown a weapon at a critical position. An All-American who will impact the game in all three phases. Wilton Speight QB 3 Once an afterthought, Speight has put himself in contention for the starting job after leading U-M to a win at Minnesota last year. Jared Wangler LB 3 Is vying for snaps as a backup this year, but will have his hands full with the young and talented linebackers coming behind him. Brandon Watson CB 3 Currently Michigan's No. 4 corner, but he's got freshmen behind him who would love to take his job. He's improved and could contribute. Maurice Ways WR 3 Has big-play potential and showed off better hands in the spring. This could be a breakout season for him. Chase Winovich DE 4 A linebacker turned tight end turned defensive end that is now ready to contribute as a pass rusher. He's added 10 pounds and looks the part. Junior Mason Cole has started all 25 games in his Michigan career at left tackle, but moves to center this year. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Wolverine - September 2016