The Wolverine

2018 Michigan Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/998618

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 108 of 179

THE WOLVERINE 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 107 LINEBACKERS making five tackles. Brown noted he's bene- fitted the most from new strength coach Ben Herbert, and bestowed on him the ultimate Brown compliment in the spring. "This Devin Gil? He's a dude, now," Brown said. "He's really good," Wroblewski added. "He's just like Devin [Bush], in that he can do it all as well. He backed up Mike Mc- Cray and learned a lot. Mike was great at what he did. "Learning a lot from Mike will help him. He can defend the run, and he's good against the pass. He can even rush the passer. I ex- pect a ton from him." Gil's competition at the Will comes from sophomore Josh Ross — who made four tackles in a dozen game appearances in 2017 — and redshirt freshman Drew Singleton. Ross can also slide over to the Mike line- backer spot. "I remember playing with his older brother [former Michigan linebacker James Ross]," Wroblewski said. "His older brother was awesome, and Josh is just like him. He's a hard hitter and loves the game of football — a football guy, through and through. He's definitely going to be making some plays." Singleton, meanwhile, drew praise for his spring performances. He came to Michigan off a knee injury that limited his senior sea- son at Paramus (N.J.) Catholic to one game. He's good to go now, though, and battling hard for time. "He's explosive," Wroblewski noted. "Once he knew his roles and his assign- ments, he really flew to the ball, and plays fast and aggressive." Redshirt freshman Jordan Anthony is another contender at inside linebacker. He improved behind the scenes a year ago, and will look to continue his upward arc and bolster Michigan's depth this fall. "He came in early, and he had a lot to learn, like every freshman," said Wro- blewski. "He picked it up well, and was always continuing to learn and get better. I can't wait to see his strides from this whole offseason." FYI Devin Bush Jr.'s father, Devin Bush Sr., was his high school coach and is also a former Florida State great, having played on the 1993 national championship team. Bush Sr. is in his third year on Jim Harbaugh's staff as a defensive analyst. Bush Jr. and redshirt sophomore linebacker Devin Gil won a Florida 8A (largest classification) state championship together at Pembroke Pines (Fla.) Flanagan High School with junior safety Josh Metellus. Bush Jr. has been named a first-team preseason All-American by NFL- DraftScout.com, while junior viper Khaleke Hudson was listed on the second team. The listing is based on projected talent for the next level. ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. named Bush Jr. the top underclass- man linebacker in the country. Hudson — who plays U-M's linebacker/ safety hybrid spot — was listed the No. 2 underclassman safety by Kiper. Hudson led the nation in run stops without a missed tackle, recording 30 takedowns on 293 run-game snaps, according to Pro Football Focus College. LEADING RETURNING TACKLER AT LINEBACKER Year Player Solo Asst. Total TFL Sacks 2017 Devin Bush Jr. 38 64 102 9.5-45 5.0-39 2016 Mike McCray 39 37 76 12.5-51 4.5-30 2015 Jabrill Peppers 34 11 45 5.5-16 0.0-0 2014 Joe Bolden 55 47 102 4.0-18 2.0-15 2013 James Ross III 46 39 85 5.5-23 1.5-17 2012 Jake Ryan 56 32 88 16.0-71 4.5-35 2011 Kenny Demens 49 45 94 5.0-20 3.0-18 2010 Kenny Demens 47 35 82 1.5-2 0.0-0 2009 Obi Ezeh 27 42 69 5.0-8 0.0-0 2008 Obi Ezeh 59 39 98 7.0-27 1.0-7 Junior Devin Bush Jr. led a linebacking corps that finished 1-2-3 on the team in tackles last year, combining for 269 total stops, 45 tackles for loss and 18 sacks. He paced the squad with 102 takedowns, including 9.5 for loss and five sacks. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Wolverine - 2018 Michigan Football Preview