The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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A BY MICHAEL SPATH nen Beyer's transformation was far more significant; the sophomore from Canton, Mich., gained 27 pounds, sec- ond only to classmate Frank Clark (34 pounds), as he evolved from a 6-3, 225-pound strongside linebacker into a 6-3, 252-pound weakside defensive end. mong Michigan's 51 schol- arship veterans, 37 Wol- verines added weight in the offseason, some as little as two pounds. Bren- definitely more comfortable. "I love sacking the quarterback. WALLOP PACKING A Is Bigger, Stronger And Better Prepared To Contribute Sophomore Brennen Beyer At Weakside Defensive End ing guy than he was last year when he was a freshman linebacker," red- shirt sophomore Sam linebacker Jake Ryan said. "He was one of the hard- est workers in the weight room dur- ing the offseason because he knew he had to gain weight, and he did. And in practice now, he's really getting after it. "I feel like he's going to make a very big contribution to the team." Beyer appeared in nine games de- fensively in 2011 and made 11 tack- les as Ryan's chief backup, but he never quite felt completely in sync at the position after spending his high school career rushing the passer. In the spring, Beyer was a natural choice to move from a two-point stance to a three-point stance along the line of scrimmage in an effort to add more playmakers to the defen- sive line's starting four. "It was just different playing stand- "He's a completely different-look- ing up," Beyer said. "I wanted to do it. My coaches said they needed me to play that position, and I really wanted to help any way I could, but putting me back down … I am 34 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2012 Martin, Ryan Van Bergen and Will Heininger, defensive coordinator Greg Mattison remade his entire de- fensive line in the spring, moving senior Craig Roh from weakside end to the strongside, junior Jibreel Black from weakside to defensive tackle, and Beyer from linebacker to rush end. Beyer was expected to compete with Clark for the starting job, and combining their strengths — Beyer is better against the run and Clark is further advanced attacking the quar- terback — Mattison believed he had a unique dynamic that would greatly enhance U-M's front four. However, Clark was suspended With the departure of starters Mike indefinitely before preseason camp after being arrested this summer for a home invasion charge, and while he is practicing with the team, he may not suit up for the Maize and Blue in the first game, the first month or even longer. His absence puts the Beyer, who appeared in nine games defen- sively in 2011 and made 11 tackles, gained 27 pounds this offseason to transform him- self from a linebacker into a defensive end. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL That's definitely my favorite thing to do on the football field — when you get a great blindside hit there is no other feeling like it. And I've been working very hard on my speed and strength during the offseason, work- ing on my technique, and develop- ing all of my moves to get around or through my blocker because I want to be someone that generates a pass rush and helps the defense create pressure."