The Wolverine

October 2015 Issue

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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W hen LaMarr Woodley lined up on the outside shoulder of offensive tackles, op- posing quarterbacks barked out commands and offensive coordi- nators began to sweat on the sidelines. Wood- ley didn't disappoint, tying a Michigan sin- gle-season record with 12 sacks in 2006. His play helped spearhead career-best campaigns for defen- sive end Rondell Biggs (six sacks and eight tackles for loss), line- backer David Harris (96 tackles, 14 for loss), and defensive tackle Alan Branch (five tack- les for loss) because opponents paid Wood- ley more attention, creating favor- able matchups for his teammates. Every great Michigan defense has featured at least one difference- maker: nose tackle Mike Martin in 2011, Woodley in 2006, cornerback Charles Woodson in 1997, defensive tackle Mark Messner in 1985, line- backer Ron Simpkins and defensive tackle Curtis Greer in 1978, safety David Brown in 1974, and on and on. In the early going this fall, redshirt junior defensive end Chris Wormley has created the impression he could be the next standout game-changing de- fensive player for the Wolverines. The 6-5, 303-pounder recorded six tackles for loss among 11 total stops in Michigan's first two games, and was a big reason why the Maize and Blue shut down the Oregon State running game, holding the Beavers to 59 yards and 1.8 yards per carry. "He was so effec- tive at penetration. They figured out they couldn't run to his side because he was collapsing his blocker and making plays if they came at him," said Simpkins, now an analyst for The- Wolverine.com. "I kept saying, 'My god' when I watched him play. If he keeps improving, he will be a monster." "He's such a mismatch. He's 6-5, 300 pounds, and he moves so well," said former defensive end Ryan Van Bergen (2008-11), who had 12.5 tack- les for loss as a senior. "I really think MAIZE N' VIEW   MICHAEL SPATH A Potential Game-Changer In the Wolverines' first three games this fall, redshirt junior defensive end Chris Wormley notched seven stops behind the line of scrimmage among 12 total tackles. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN

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