The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/716367
54 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2016 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Chesson, fifth-year senior corner- back Jeremy Clark, junior center Mason Cole, fifth-year senior wide receiver Amara Darboh, fifth-year senior guard Kyle Kalis, senior cor- nerback Jourdan Lewis, fifth-year senior offensive tackle Erik Magnu- son, redshirt sophomore linebacker/ defensive back Jabrill Peppers, senior running back De'Veon Smith, fifth- year senior defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow and fifth-year senior defen- sive lineman Chris Wormley. "Jim Harbaugh has wasted no time turning the Wolverines into a recruit- ing power, but he also has helped veterans reach their potential," Re- uter wrote. "Wormley, Charlton and Ryan Glasgow make up a strong de- fensive line, which will only make the talented cornerback duo of Lewis and Clark better. Peppers has looked the part of a top-five national recruit so far, starring on offense, defense and special teams. "If Houston transfer QB John O'Korn performs as well as Jake Rudock did last season under Har- baugh's tutelage, then Chesson and Butt will have career years." Reuter tabbed true freshman de- fensive tackle Rashan Gary his U-M "Newcomer in the Spotlight." "The guy everyone wanted last spring ended up signing with Har- baugh. His strength and athleticism will make him a tough sit this season, as a lot of upperclassmen don't have the skills of this 6-foot-5, 290-pound lineman," Reuter wrote. "Gary can play any spot on the line, making him a valuable swing player as a freshman." Peppers was U-M's lone repre- sentative on the Big Ten's preseason honors list released during Big Ten Media Days in Chicago July 25-26. A "select" media panel chose this year 's 10-member preseason list, including five representatives each from the East and West divisions. U-M senior All-American corner- back Jourdan Lewis was a noticeable omission. BIG TEN PRESEASON HONOREES EAST DIVISION Jabrill Peppers, Jr., LB, Michigan Malik McDowell, Jr., DL, Michigan State J.T. Barrett, Jr., QB, Ohio State Raekwon McMillan, Jr., LB, Ohio State Saquon Barkley, So., RB, Penn State WEST DIVISION C.J. Beathard, Sr., QB, Iowa Desmond King, Sr., DB, Iowa Justin Jackson, Jr., RB, Northwestern Anthony Walker Jr., Jr., LB, Northwestern Corey Clement, Sr., RB, Wisconsin Finally, a vote among select Big Ten media accumulated by Cleve- land.com had Ohio State as the Big Ten favorite. WOLVERINES HEALTHY HEADING INTO FALL CAMP Michigan head coach Jim Har- baugh literally knocked on wood during July 25-26 Big Ten Media Days in Chicago when asked about his team's health. The Wolverines were looking good on the injury front heading toward the first practice Aug. 8, he said, and he added that he was pleased with the team's summer conditioning. "People can prove you right or prove you wrong [on Aug. 8]. That's when you get the opportunity to see where you're at," he said. "But there is nothing to report. We are a pretty darn healthy team. We came out of spring ball pretty darn healthy … didn't get any of the long-term kind, six-month injures, but there are al- ways things people are dealing with and working with. "Our goal is to get the healthiest, most in shape, strongest team we can for our first day of practice Aug. 8, then we'll take our shot." Fifth-year senior wide receiver Jehu Chesson has been nursing a leg injury since spring, but he was ex- pected to be full go by camp, Har- baugh said. All eyes will also be on redshirt junior linebacker Mike Mc- Cray given his history with shoulder injuries over the last few years, too, but teammates said McCray had a great summer in the weight room. McCray reported he lost 10 pounds (he's now 6-4, 248) on his coaches' wishes and felt as healthy as he has in a long time. "Mike came in and had huge up- side when he got here, from what I heard," linebackers coach Chris Par- tridge said. "Then he went through some injury stuff, had some tough times. "I feel like — and I tell him all the time — it made him better. His work ethic, being able to be around a team and get hungrier … now it's his time. He's got to embrace it, grasp it and we expect huge things out of him." In other camp news, wide receiver Redshirt junior linebacker Mike McCray has lost 10 pounds and is healthy, leading many to believe he can be a stabilizing force the defense needs in the middle. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Redshirt sophomore Jabrill Peppers was U‑M's lone representative on the Big Ten's preseason honors list released during Big Ten Media Days in Chicago July 25‑26. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN