The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/279958
BY MICHAEL SPATH T here came a moment last fall when the Michigan coaching staff faced a great conundrum — three of its best linebackers all played the same position. Even- tually, rising senior Brennen Beyer shifted from strongside linebacker — a post he shared with rising fifth-year senior Jake Ryan and Cam Gordon (20010-13) — to defensive end, but his transition still left Ryan and Gordon splitting game-day reps over the final month of the regular season, limiting their possible contribution. In the postscript of a disappoint- ing 2013 campaign, head coach Brady Hoke and coordinator Greg Matti- son examined the entire defense and reached the conclusion they had to make a few small tweaks to ensure that the Wolverines' most productive players stood on the field together, and that they did so at a position that best maximized their potential and the impact they could make. In this vein, Hoke and Mattison asked Ryan, senior Desmond Morgan and junior James Ross III to switch positions this spring. Ryan has moved from Sam to Mike (middle line- backer), Morgan from Mike to Will (weakside) and Ross from the Will to the Sam. "No. 1, this gives you one of your best football players [Ryan] from a playmaking standpoint … you're putting him in the middle of the de- fense," Hoke said. "That is an aspect that is good. "I think James Ross and his ath- leticism playing over a slot and being off the ball helps him. I think it's a win-win all the way around. All those moves are a positive for the kids and for us as a team." Michigan's linebacker play in 2013 was good, but not good enough for Hoke and Mattison. Morgan tallied 79 tackles (4.5 for loss), while Ross had 85 stops (5.5 behind the line of scrimmage). Ryan, Gordon and Beyer combined for 89 tackles at the Sam (Beyer's numbers at strongside end — nine total tackles and no sacks — were not included), with 17 tackles for loss SHUFFLING THE DECK Michigan Makes Changes At Linebacker, Including Moving Jake Ryan