The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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some experience. Redshirt fresh- man Mike McCray is a great ath- lete, too, and has received plenty of praise as an up and comer. Junior Joe Bolden had his ups and downs at weakside linebacker, but he finished second on the team with 102 tackles, and sophomore Ben Gedeon is big and plays with a mean streak. Those two should be solid at that position. Gedeon played in all 12 games and has great potential. Strongside linebackers and ju- niors Royce Jenkins-Stone and James Ross III weren't overly pro- ductive (14 and 32 tackles, respec- tively), but they have potential to be more than they've shown. Red- shirt linebacker Chase Winovich has earned mention as a linebacker to watch. Best Bets: Bolden, Morgan and Ross to start, though it's possible Bolden could move to the middle to make room for Gedeon on the weak side. You want your best on the field, and while Gedeon hasn't been as productive, more reps could get him there. Morgan has the most experience, but keep an eye on McCray. He's the most ath- letic of the bunch. DEFENSIVE BACK Michigan loses Raymon Taylor but nobody else from a cornerback position that was just average in 2014. Redshirt junior Blake Count- ess (24 tackles, three pass breakups) seems best suited for nickel back, but he might be called upon to play one corner position depending on Five Potential Breakout Players For 2015 Five players who could enjoy break- out seasons in 2015: Freddy Canteen, WR: The freshman didn't meet lofty expectations this year after a very good spring, but he's got some explosion others in the corps lack. He caught only five passes for 22 yards this fall, but he figures to see the ball more in 2015. Ben Gedeon, LB: He appears to be the most explosive, quick-twitch guy of the linebackers who have played, but he seems to run around without a purpose too often per some coaches. He could be a good one with more reps, though. Bryan Mone, DT: Mone is a load, and his best days are ahead of him. He notched nine tackles with 1.5 for loss in 12 games, and he's a workhorse who doesn't take plays off. A potential Alan Branch (2006) type. Kenny Allen, P: He's just the punter, but fifth-year senior Will Hagerup dis- appointed a bit this year in an honor- able mention All-Big Ten season. Allen looked outstanding in warm-ups and has a chance to be a difference maker when it comes to changing field posi- tion. Jabrill Peppers, DB: He's everything you want in a defensive back, a game changer. The Wolverines haven't had enough like him. He's got All-America potential at either cornerback or safety as well as in the return game. — Chris Balas