The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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— and definitely haven't had a start," Mealer said. "I'd like to think that, as a senior, I've grown into that position of becoming more of a leader and taking on the pressure, things like that. Accepting it and embracing it. "There's probably more pressure, "I haven't had a lot of playing time being that I'm a senior, but that's what you come to Michigan for. Ev- ery year, I like to think that I've been working hard. There is a great op- portunity ahead of me." As Burzynski and Mealer battle it out for the starting left guard spot, THE BATTLE there is a dark-horse candidate emerging as a potential option: true freshman Kyle Kalis, a five-star re- cruit according to Rivals.com, who spurned a verbal commitment to Ohio State after the firing of Jim Tres- sel to join the Wolverines. The youngster has had a terrific camp so far, but although many are predicting a very bright — and im- mediate — future for Kalis, expecta- tions have to be tempered. Offensive line is one of the most development- intensive positions in football. And Kalis, like the vast majority of offen- sive line prospects, has a lot of learn- ing, and growing, to do. football," Lewan said. "When you come to college, it's different. When you play in high school and get all these accolades, you're really just a big body throwing yourself at other big bodies — and winning because you're bigger and stronger than ev- erybody. "In high school, it's more about "He's learning how to play real forcing a situation. Now, it's stra- tegic. Putting your foot in a certain spot; three inches could change the whole play for you, and that's why some guys are successful and not successful. So he's learning how to play the position now, and I'm ex- cited about him." But if Kalis earns the spot, the Michigan coaching staff will have no qualms about putting him out there. The best five play; that applies to freshmen, too. For now, the players are fiercely vy- ing for the right to be called "starter." "We have tremendous competition along the offensive line — everyone has someone they're competing with, so it's just continuing to work hard and trying to improve," Mealer said. "That's why you come to Michigan: knowing you're going to have com- petition. And, obviously for me, I'm getting pushed by the guys I'm play- ing next to. The expectation is for the position, and I'm working hard and expecting nothing but the best from myself." And they understand what it will take to earn the trust of the coaching staff. "With Coach Funk, it's a lot about consistency," Mealer said. "To be a great offensive lineman at Michi- gan, you have to be consistent. It's a whole body of work. I think I'm getting that done at this point. It's filling that role, where Coach Funk or [offensive coordinator] Al Borges can trust you and say, 'This guy is getting the job done.' I have to step up and do that." But the season is quickly approach- Funk is also open to getting creative with the position. "We're just looking for someone to Fifth-year senior Elliott Mealer, who has seen action on the offensive line in just 10 games with no starts during his U-M career, has approached his final season in maize and blue with a sense of urgency. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN ing. Without a set left guard in place, come in and take it over," Funk said. "I've never been a big rotation guy, but if that is the situation, where we have two guys who are dead-even, that would be fine." ❑ SEPTEMBER 2012 THE WOLVERINE 41