The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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Nose tackle Quinton Washington's development this season has gone hand in hand with the improved play of U-M's defensive line overall. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN than he has ever trained. He is in the best shape of his life, and he has totally bought into the technique and fundamentals of the position. You're seeing that progress firsthand. He kept that going in the summer, had great workouts, and it has been good ever since then." group, Montgomery has been par- ticularly hard-lined with Campbell. At 6-5, 308, Campbell has the size and athleticism to be a terrific defen- sive tackle. But he lacked the lack the technique to hone his natural abilities. "As a coach, you're breaking habits, and if you're not tough on them all the time and force them to do it the right way all the time, you're going to have guys fall back on those bad habits," Montgomery said. "That is one thing being with Brady and Coach Mattison has taught me: constantly holding the kids account- able about what they're doing right and wrong. Since he began working with this now, but I try not to tell him too many nice things, because I want him to keep playing that way," Montgom- ery said, with a slight smile. "But any time he does something right, I get excited and I'll look at him — and he knows. He can see all the hard work paying off, seeing, 'I did this on this play,' and that the system works. You want to constantly push them to get better, and that's part of the process." matic improvement from their defen- sive ends. The Wolverines have also seen dra- GETTING TO THE EDGE nique end spot before this season, has excelled, using the speed he honed at the rush end spot last year to get off blocks. Roh, who moved to the five-tech- "That's one thing we have done very well as a staff — we're hard and tough, teaching kids any chance we get. When they buy in and they get it, you can see what happens." Campbell has risen to the expec- tations that Montgomery, Mattison and Hoke have for him — but the coaches still find ways his game can get better. "Will is playing lights out right His biggest strides, however, have been away from the field. Roh has taken to calling out opposing of- fense's plays before the snap, and that's something he can do because of hours and hours spent in the film- study room every week. "When you know what you're get- ting on a test, you're going to ace that test," Montgomery said. "When you know what block you're going to get before you get it, you're going to be pretty darn close to perfect at playing that block and making a play. "The best thing about Craig is that nine times out of 10, he knows ex- actly what block is coming. He can defeat that thing before it's coming." At the rush end, the Wolverines have worked a solid rotation of three young players into the mix, all of whom bring something distinct to the table. Sophomore Brennen Beyer, 6-3, 252, is the most adept of the three at stop- ping the run — and could move to the five-technique in the future, if need be. But his pass-rushing skills are why he's playing at rush end. Sophomore Frank Clark is the best athlete of the three. Although Mont- gomery says Clark needs to work on his pass-rushing skills, he has a persistent motor that allows him to make plays. "The kid is very athletic and natu- rally gifted," Montgomery said. "He is still learning how to play great technique. He makes plays, he bats balls down and he's around the foot- ball because of his speed. A lot of it is God-gifted ability." Freshman Mario Ojemudia is the youngster, but he may already be the best pass rusher of the bunch and is called upon in third-down, obvious passing situations. "For a young guy, he is a very good technician," Mattison said. "He's ob- viously had very good coaching in high school. He plays very well with his hands. His footwork is good, he's a very intelligent young man, and he plays very fast." u NOVEMBER 2012 THE WOLVERINE 27