Michigan Football Preview 2013

2013 Michigan Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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Wilson played behind fifth-year senior safety Thomas Gordon for the first half of spring drills, and then he moved beside Gordon to run with the No. 1 unit on defense. photo by per kjeldsen all young safeties, but Wilson is learning to communicate, according to his position coach. "He's getting a lot more vocal," Mallory said. "He was vocal last year, but you see him taking that next step, too. Him and Thomas back there are making it very loud, Thomas more so, being the veteran. Jarrod, you're really seeing him taking the ownership part of that." He takes ownership for mistakes as well. Ask him about his best freshman moment, and it's about every single game, the chance to put on the winged helmet. When he considers a worst moment, his recollection becomes more pointed. "I got a pass interference call versus Notre Dame," Wilson recalled. "It was third down, and if I'd have made the stop we would have gotten off the field. They got the penalty, and it was first-and-goal. That was my worst." He'll have more chances — he's convinced of that. With Michigan's heavy emphasis on a four-man rush to put pressure on quarterbacks, Wilson is anticipating plenty of pilfering scenarios. "I think it's going to get done this year," he said. "By putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback, it allows me to anticipate and jump routes that I see. I know pressure is going to be in his face and the quarterback is going to be pressured to throw the ball. It allows me to play robber." Stealing other team's chances, and not providing extras, rank as keys to Michigan's defensive effort this year, in Wilson's mind. He's ready to take the next step, both individually and as part of one of the Big Ten's best defenses. "Athletically, we can match up with anyone," he stressed. "It's more just minimizing our mistakes, and playing together as a whole defensive unit. With the speed we have and the young guys we have, it really can be special." ❑ First-And-10 With Jarrod Wilson First Car That He Drove: "The first car I ever drove was a blue Oldsmobile. It belonged to my grandmother." First Major Sports Event He Attended: "It was a Cleveland Cavaliers game, versus the Washington Wizards. It was a playoff game, and I was about 11 or 12. It was pretty exciting, first time going to a Cavs game. "Those players were pretty tall, and I wasn't as tall as I am now. I was real little, so it was kind of surprising to me." First Concert He Went To: "I've never been to a concert. Never. I don't know why. I want to go to one, but I've never been to one." First Autograph He Asked For: "I've never really requested an autograph, but if I had to make a request, it would have been Sean Taylor. He passed, but I would have loved to have had his autograph and have met him. He was a great player, in college and for the Redskins." First Loss That Made You Cry: "I lost a basketball game when I was 8 years old. I played AAU basketball for the King James Shooting Stars, and we lost in the AAU tournament down in Orlando, Fla." First Wolverine Hero: "It would have to be Brady Hoke, just for giving me the opportunity to come here and play football for this university. It means a lot to not only me but my family." First Jersey He Bought: "I had a Michael Jordan jersey. Back then, as a kid, everybody wanted to play basketball like Michael Jordan." First Class He Took At Michigan: "The first class I took at Michigan was a writing class. It was an intro to writing, so I could express my own thoughts about certain readings." First Team He Ever Played For: "It was a baseball team named the Homestead Braves. I was about 4 or 5 years old, playing T-ball." First Rival He Hated: "My first rival was here, and I don't like State. I don't like Michigan State at all." — John Borton The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview  ■ 163

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