The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/78838
CLASS REVIEW: 2009 6-8, 309-pounder has unfairly been linked to one of his predecessors, two-time All-American Jake Long, because they play the same posi- tion (left tackle), have similar builds and wear the same number (No. 77). While he's not yet the player Long was, Lewan is only beginning his junior season and has the talent and opportunity this fall to prove himself the conference's best offensive line- man. defensive end hasn't been over- whelmingly productive in his career, registering just 6.5 sacks among 21.0 tackles for loss in 38 starts defen- sively, but he's also played out of position and hasn't complained one bit. Instead, he's always given great effort, playing with a high IQ and a determination to contribute to the cause. This season, Roh is positioned properly to utilize the skills he does possess rather than asking him to compensate for those he lacks, and he's eager to make his senior year his best. Craig Roh — The strongside senior junior back must prove he's no one- year wonder after rushing for 1,041 yards in 2011, but history is on his side — in 10 of 15 seasons in which a U-M underclassman enjoyed a 1,000- yard campaign, he followed it up with another. Toussaint seems to be bigger, faster, with more burst and greater vision than he was a year ago when he hit the 100-yard mark in five contests. He's also expected to receive the bulk of the carries in an offensive system that has no love for the running back-by-committee ap- proach. Fitzgerald Toussaint — The redshirt seem like Schofield belongs in this category after starting 10 games at left guard in 2011, but he was largely considered a fill-in (even though he staved off competition from starter Ricky Barnum when Barnum re- turned from injury) while classmate Lewan and center Dave Molk occu- pied the spotlight. Now Schofield is moving to his more natural position at right tackle, forming one-half of the bookends for the offensive line. He had a strong spring and could contend for all-league honors. Will Campbell — Campbell arrived AN IMPACT THIS SEASON Michael Schofield — It may not READY TO MAKE Craig Roh has compiled 21.0 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 38 career starts while play- ing out of position, but he is poised for a big senior campaign at his more natural position of strongside defensive end. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN to start at nose tackle is significant. Quinton Washington — The 6-4, 300-pound behemoth was touted as the next mauling offensive guard for the Wolverines when he was re- cruited, and he was expected to enjoy legendary battles in practice opposite Campbell. Now, the two play on the same side of the ball — Washing- ton actually moved to defense when Campbell switched to offense in 2010 48 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2012 game in 2010, the safety decided to transfer, landing at Toledo. Emilien sought a waiver from the NCAA to play right away, but was denied and sat out the entire 2011 season. He enters his redshirt junior year listed No. 1 on the depth chart at star line- backer. Tate Forcier — The signal-caller at Michigan with enormous hype (though not by his own choosing) and has yet to live up to external ex- pectations. However, his coaches feel the 6-5, 308-pounder will play a criti- cal role in the success of the U-M de- fense this season. He has to because the drop-off between Campbell and the second-string linemen competing (Campbell returned for 2011) — and he will likely serve as one of his class- mate's top backups this fall. hopes for the early enrollee out of Lauderhill, Fla., but after appearing in just five games in 2009 and a single WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Vladimir Emilien — There were high took college football by storm four games into his rookie campaign by