The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/137378
OL "But Jack, to me, is the one that's probably the most sound in terms of knowledge of what he needs to get done, getting us to the right calls, blitz pick-ups and everything, predominantly because he's taken the most reps the last couple years. In terms of knowing what to do and how we want it done, he's probably got a little edge there." The competition, though, is fierce, and fall is not like spring. If someone isn't making the most of his opportunity in the offseason, the coaches will continue to work with them. Fall camp is strictly business, preparing for the opener. Former walk-on Glasgow treated spring ball the same way, and it paid off for him. He is the biggest of the three vying for the job and larger than any center Funk has every coached. "He physically keeps getting better and better," Funk said. "He's a little inexperienced there. Sometimes we'd get into a check, and he'd struggle with that. But as far as being physical at the point of attack, a big body that doesn't get knocked back, he's there. "In pass protection, he's a little ahead of the other guys in terms of the one-on-one stuff, which our centers have to do some. Normally they get a little hand from the guard, but they do have some times where they have to go one on one." Both Glasgow and Burzynski are evidence that the best man will play — scholarship or not — on Funk's line. Burzynski was slowed by an injury this spring, but Funk is still very confident in his abilities. "Joey didn't rep as much at center this spring because he got hurt, but he's tough, has pretty good technique and is smart. He could take the ball and run with it at the start of camp, too," noted Funk. "I know he can play guard, but I want him to rep at center." Burzynski was the story of the spring a year ago and played really well. Glasgow is the one who really raised eyebrows this spring, having played center and guard at a high level to put himself "right in the mix" at center or guard, perhaps be the next guy in, while Miller has continued to try to perfect his trade. "I don't know how it will play out," Funk said. "It's going to depend on the fall. I told the guys, by the 10th practice we'd like to have our guy. That's why they need to be in great shape, eat well and play at a high level." On Guard Glasgow, playing on both the right and left sides, and Burzynski (right guard) will both be in the mix for the other interior positions, as well. Neither, though, emerged as the No. 1 guy on either side coming out of the spring. Redshirt freshmen Ben Braden (6-6, 314) and fellow redshirt frosh Kyle Kalis (6-5, 297) took leads at left and right guard, respectively, by improving steadily throughout the spring. Funk wouldn't go into specifics, but he did mention a few who "look at themselves as starting material and practiced like that most of the spring, if not all of it." Braden would likely qualify. He is just short of 320 pounds, consistently runs in the 4.8, 4.85 40-yard dash range and has cut his body fat percentage in transforming his body. He could well move back to tackle next year, Funk said, but for now he's a guard since he's among the top five linemen. "He just needs to get more technique work, footwork, base things — knowing how to use his hands, his assignments," Funk said. "As he gets those down, he'll be a terrific player here. It's just a matter of getting the fundamentals down. If he can play fast enough throughout summer and fall camp, he'll be in the starting lineup. If it doesn't quite happen, he'll be a swing guy at guard and tackle. "He's very, very talented. It's just about how quickly the light comes on in assignment and technique." Kalis, meanwhile, is a right guard only. The light came on for the former five-star about halfway through spring, when he began to separate himself from the pack. He is strong and has all the tools, and Taylor Lewan Should Add To U-M's NFL Offensive Line Prestige Michigan fifth-year senior left tackle Taylor Lewan, an All-American and the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2012, stunned many when he chose to return for his last year, especially after having been projected to go high in the first round of the NFL Draft. He hasn't thought about that decision twice since, head coach Brady Hoke reported in late May, and is concentrating on his senior year and winning a Big Ten title. "When he made his announcement at the press conference in January and was asked why he give up millions, he said, 'You obviously haven't played football at Michigan,'" Hoke said. "That speaks volumes for the love he has for the University of Michigan and this football program. "He has been committed and dedicated as a leader in everything we've done this summer and throughout spring football to really show his teammates this is important. He wants to win a Big Ten championship badly. He was a first-team All-American, and he wants to do that again and be part of something that's bigger than him." More impressive is that Lewan might have even been a top-five pick Michigan's Top O-Line Draft Picks A look at U-M's first round offensive line NFL Draft Picks of the last 50 years: Player Year Team and Pick Tom Mack, OT 1966 Los Angeles Rams, No. 2 Paul Seymour, OT 1973 Buffalo Bills, No. 7 Mike Kenn, OT 1978 Atlanta Falcons, No. 13 Jon Giesler, OT 1979 Miami Dolphins, No. 24 Steve Everitt, C 1993 Cleveland Browns, No. 14 Trezelle Jenkins, OT 1995 Kansas City Chiefs, No. 31 Steve Hutchinson, OG 2001 Seattle Seahawks, No. 17 Jeff Backus, OT 2001 Detroit Lions, No. 18 Jake Long, OT 2008 Miami Dolphins, No. 1 had he entered the draft. Three of the top four selections were tackles (Central Michigan's Eric Fisher No. 1, Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel No. 2 and Oklahoma's Lane Johnson No. 4), and Lewan was listed right with them among the best linemen available in the 2013 draft. It's a near certainty that Lewan will become the Wolverines' next first-round pick and add to the legacy of great Michigan linemen in the NFL, perhaps even as the No. 1 overall pick like Jake Long (2004-07) was when he went first overall to Miami in 2008. Former standouts Jeff Backus and Steve Hutchinson, longtime NFL stalwarts, Jake Long, an All-American tackle at retired this year, leaving only U-M, was chosen by the Miami Dola handful of U-M linemen in phins with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL — Long, a tackle (St. the 2008 NFL Draft. Photo by Per Kjeldsen Louis); centers Jon Goodwin (San Francisco), David Baas (New York Giants) and David Molk (San Diego); and guards Stephen Schilling (San Diego) and Patrick Omameh (San Francisco, rookie free agent). Lewan and right tackle Michael Schofield are both expected to be drafted next year. — Chris Balas The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview ■ 123