The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1111798
30 THE WOLVERINE MAY 2019 attracted him to Bush, who the Steel- ers traded up 10 spots to select. "He is an all-situations player and is good in all areas, both versus the run and in coverage. His burst and closing speed within the last five yards of the football is so unique. "Bush is surprisingly a very good blitzer as well, so we're really excited about him having an opportunity to impact the game in all of those ar- eas. There isn't a situation offensively where you can minimize his ability to make an impact." Curtis Greer, meanwhile, holds the distinction of being the highest U-M defensive end ever selected, when the Arizona Cardinals grabbed him No. 6 overall in 1980. Gary edged out Brandon Graham in 2010 (No. 13 to the Philadelphia Eagles) for the sec- ond-highest spot on the all-time list of Michigan defensive end draftees. "He has rare gifts," Green Bay Packers college scout Joe Hueber told reporters April 25. "Rashan com- manded a lot of attention at Michi- gan, including double teams, triple teams and taking on tight ends. It freed up his teammates and they were able to get production [because of it]. It's not like Rashan wasn't im- pacting the game, because when you watch him, he was all over the place, shedding blocks and getting pres- sure. "He's a bright, outgoing kid and was great when we interviewed him down in Indianapolis [during Febru- ary's NFL combine]. I think he's go- ing to attack this and take it to heart because it's important to him, and it will allow his athleticism to shine through." The only two other Wolverine de- fensive ends ever chosen in the first round were Kevin Brooks in 1985 (No. 17 to the Dallas Cowboys) and Taco Charlton in 2017 (No. 28 to the Cowboys), while the two other line- backers were Mike Taylor in 1972 (No. 20 to the New York Jets) and John Anderson in 1978 (No. 26 to the Green Bay Packers). QUESTIONS ABOUT GARY DISPELLED One of the knocks scouts had on Gary heading into the NFL Draft was a supposed lack of production at Michigan, insisting he should have had more than seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 2018. When Gary passed on the opportu- nity to play in Michigan's Peach Bowl game against Florida, U-M fans then began to question his work ethic as well. Both Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst and U-M safeties/special teams coach Chris Partridge — who coached Gary in high school at Para- mus Catholic in New Jersey — pub- licly dismissed those notions during draft week, however. "I disagree [that Gary didn't always put forth effort]," Gutekunst said af- ter the Packers selected him. "I think that's what people who probably haven't done their homework are say- ing. "If you watch the tape, he plays with his hair on fire. Again, I think a lot of things get floated to the media that carry on longer than they should." Partridge, meanwhile, posted a heartfelt message on Twitter April 23 regarding Gary as a person and his accomplishments, just two days before the New Jersey native was drafted. "Rah Gary has never had under a 3.0 GPA in his life, he overcame dys- lexia to not only attend MICHIGAN but also became an Academic All-Big Ten selection two years in a row!" Par- tridge wrote. "Plus, the kid started his own sports agency (which was a dream of his). He also came back and played with a shoulder [injury] for his team when he could have sat the sea- son. He never rested for one second, nobody that ever saw him practice will ever question his work ethic. "Somehow people want to turn all this into a negative. Your dreams couldn't even accomplish what he has done already. All he will do is keep working at being the best, that's all he knows!" ❑ Rashan Gary (above) and Devin Bush Jr. gave U-M multiple first-rounds pick in the same NFL Draft for the ninth time ever and marked the first duo from the school to both be selected among the top 12 picks since 1945. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin on drafting two U-M players "You just get that feeling when you walk into Schembechler Hall and see The Big House in the background, it lets you know you're in the right place."