The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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linebacker, with redshirt junior Cam Gordon his top reserve. Clark may ultimately return to the lineup and challenge Beyer for playing time, or be used in certain situations. The task for Beyer over the next few weeks leading up to the opener, and over the course of the entire season, is simple — be the consistent, versatile and productive performer the Wol- verines need him to be. "There are a lot of guys on this de- fensive line in new positions, with new responsibilities, and he's one of them," Black said. "Brennen is com- peting with some young guys, some freshmen, and we really need him to be the veteran of the position. He wants that. "He's not a very vocal guy, but you can tell he's competitive because he really gets after it in practice. "I think he's going to have a good season." ❑ Junior Jibreel Black Is On Track To Start At Defensive Tackle Beyer said of his efforts this year, "I'm just trying to get as good as I can at the position so that I can help the defense, and help the team." fensive line. Head coach Brady Hoke called it one of the best units he's ever seen on film, and both defensive coordinator Greg Mattison and defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery have echoed their boss' sentiments. The Wolverines' defen- sive line, on the other hand, is replacing three starters up front and will enter the Sept. 1 matchup with the Crimson Tide as one of the game's greatest unknowns. Junior Jibreel Black's play this One by one, Michigan's coaches have lauded Alabama's of- fall, and in that game, ranks among the principal wild cards. The Cincinnati native was one of three defenders to move positions in the spring, his transition from weakside end to the three-technique defensive tackle spot being perhaps the most difficult. "Like any new position, you're PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL 260 pounds a year ago. With a new diet and workout regi- ment, the junior gained 19 pounds and now stands in at 6-2, 279, with a little more room to grow before the night-game affair with the Crimson Tide. Black's added size and the strength that comes from that muscle will give him more than one way to break through into the offensive backfield. "He's going to do whatever we ask him to do, said. "If it's to play knock-them-back football, it's what he'll do. If it's to move, and use his speed and quickness, it's what he'll do. " Montgomery and I give props to our strength coach because he made sure I put on good weight and lost body fat, bigger, stronger; I could knock a blocker back if I need to, and I will need to because if you just rely on one thing an entire game, an opponent will adjust. I know I have to be versatile. "Coach Mattison talks about that all the time — if you're "I'm still learning how to use my power coming off the ball, " Black said. "I do feel " going to have a rough start be- cause it's a lot different from what you were doing, and you feel like you have to learn so much right away, Since the end of the 2011 cam- paign, Black has gained 19 pounds and now stands in at 6-2, 279. overwhelming at first, but along the way, you have moments where you see that you can really succeed in that position if you really focus on the technique. "As we went along in the spring, and the offseason, and now the first week of camp, I'm seeing a lot more successful moments. I still need work on my footwork, but the ability to play the position is there. 314.2 pounds per man, and one of Black's challenges was adding weight to his 6-2 frame after tipping the scales at only Alabama's projected five starting offensive linemen average " PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL " Black said. "It's being blocked one on one, you have to get off the block and get to the ball. That's not just for me, but also for everybody. We need everyone on the defensive line to be a playmaker, everyone on the defense. "We're going to face a lot of great offenses this year, and has focused on senior Will Campbell, who is taking over for Mike Martin at nose tackle, but Black's contribution to the team this season will be equally important to the production of the Maize and Blue defense. "It actually feels really good for my coaches to trust me with this much responsibility," he said. "You have to step up Much of the attention since the end of the 2012 Sugar Bowl " to the plate when called upon, and that's what I'm trying to do every day. " — Michael Spath SEPTEMBER 2012 THE WOLVERINE 37 you're not going to stop them on every single series, but if we can make enough big plays, we're going to have a chance to be successful.