The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/917835
JANUARY 2018 THE WOLVERINE 29 PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Linebackers MVP SOPHOMORE DEVIN BUSH JR. All of Michigan's starting line- backers played relatively well this year, but Bush was a dif- ference maker. The finalist for the Butkus Award, annually awarded to the nation's top linebacker, earned Walter Camp second-team All- America honors in only his second season and led the Wolverines in tackles, finish- ing with 94 (36 solo). He also tallied 9.5 tackles for loss with five sacks among them. Bush eclipsed second-lead- ing tackler, fifth-year se- nior Mike McCray, by 19 stops and was also very good in pass cov- erage. He finished with eight pass break-ups, more than anybody on the team, plus an interception. His speed and nose for the ball gave defensive coordinator Don Brown many options on how to use him. Unsung Hero FIFTH-YEAR SENIOR MIKE MCCRAY McCray was the only linebacker with substantial experience coming into the year, but a pair of sophomores — Devin Bush Jr. and Khaleke Hudson — wound up posting better statistics than he did. The fifth-year senior cap- tain more than held his own this season, though. His 13 tackles for loss ranked fourth on the team, and he finished with the second- most tackles on the club with 75. After an injury-plagued first three years in Ann Arbor, McCray finally stayed healthy this season and last, played in all 25 contests during that span and earned a pair of All-Big Ten honorable mentions. Regular-Season Grade In addition to a total of 241 stops, the starting trio accounted for 39 tackles for loss — which resulted in 189 lost yards — and 17 sacks. The group also combined for three interceptions, 16 more pass breakups, 10 quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles. Backup and redshirt junior Noah Furbush also played well. He racked up 28 tackles and was solid most of the year. All three starters made one of the All-Big Ten teams, led by Bush's first- team selection by the coaches. Hudson (second team by media) tied an NCAA record with eight TFLs in a win over Minnesota and picked up where for- mer Wolverine Jabrill Peppers left off in dominating the viper position. He's primed for a huge junior season. WLB: Mike McCray 2016 76 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 7 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 5 quarterback hurries 2017 75 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 1 forced fumble, 5 quarterback hurries MLB: Ben Gedeon (2016) and Devin Bush Jr. (2017) 2016 106 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 pass breakups, 2 quarterback hurries 2017 94 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 1 interception, 8 pass breakups, 1 quarterback hurry Viper: Jabrill Peppers (2016) and Khaleke Hudson (2017) 2016 7 2 t a c k l e s , 1 6 t a c k l e s fo r l o s s , 4 s a c k s , 1 i n t e r c e p t i o n , 1 forced fumble, 8 quarterback hurries 2017 72 tack les, 16.5 tack les for loss, 7 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 4 quarterback hurries status Of schOLarship pLayers GRADUATED: Mike McCray Mike Wroblewski ELIGIBILITY REMAINING (YEARS): Jordan Anthony (4) Devin Bush Jr. (2) Noah Furbush (1) Devin Gil (3) Khaleke Hudson (2) Elysse Mbem-Bosse (2) Josh Ross (3) Drew Singleton (4) Josh Uche (2) A- NUMBERS TO KNOW Michigan lost two outstanding players from last year's linebacking corps in Jabrill Peppers and Ben Gedeon, and had to replace them with two youngsters — sophomores Devin Bush Jr. and Khaleke Hudson — who had never made a single career start and had lim- ited college experience at linebacker. Hudson and Bush have been just as good, though, if not better than their predecessors at the positions, while McCray put up nearly identical numbers over the last two seasons. Here's a closer look at the comparisons: Linebackers/special teams coach Chris Partridge "[Sophomore] Devin [Bush Jr.] enjoys the game and all aspects of it. He has a very savvy football back- ground due to his fa- ther having played the game." Devin Bush Jr.