The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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DL understand how we expect him to play, playing faster, the technical side of it." Meanwhile, fellow redshirt freshman Tom Strobel (6-6, 262) moved to the three-technique from defensive end to give the Wolverines more depth inside. "Tom Strobel moved inside, out of necessity, but Strobes did a really nice job," Hoke noted. "I thought he played hard in the spring game, and I'm excited about his development. I thought he did well." The younger of the Glasgow brothers on the roster can also give Michigan snaps at the three-technique, and incoming freshman Maurice Hurst Jr. gets to make his first impression in fall camp. Overall, Hoke likes what he sees. "We have a little more depth, and the genetics and quality of depth is a little better than it's been," he said. Ends Ready To Finish At the strongside defensive end, redshirt sophomore Keith Heitzman (6-3, 277) came out of spring practice with an edge at the position and an edge in his attitude. Mattison smiles when he talks about the third-year performer's mindset, which helped produce seven tackles and a fumble recovery in 12 game appearances a year ago. "Heitzman is not the biggest, he's not the strongest," Mattison said. "He's played more than any of those other guys. He's been in the real heat of games. "But he has great toughness and great, great pride. He's a fighter. When he goes out there, he's got a chip on his shoulder, and he always wants to say, 'Hey, I may not look like these guys, but I'm going to play like this.'" Heitzman also got in on Hoke's ground floor, the defensive coordinator noted, and remains very aware of his position in the foundation. "This defense really is important to him, because he's one of the first ones," Mattison said. "He came with that first class we had. I think he's always trying to show everybody that, 'Hey, I am good enough. And I am going to show you guys that.' He's done it, and I'm happy with him." The present backups, redshirt freshmen Matt Godin (6-6, 277) and Chris Wormley (6-4, 290) carried bigger recruiting reputations, but each has some learning to do, Mattison noted. Godin gained some strength, he offered, but must continue on the path toward honing the technical aspects of the position. "Matt has got to continue getting stronger," Mattison said. "Matt has to play with a lot more leverage." Wormley injured a knee prior to the season last year, taking him out of any chance of playing as a true freshman. He's gone through the physical healing process, but still has some strides to make in the area of cutting loose on the field and believing he's whole. How much he does, and how soon, could provide insight into how big of a contribution he makes this fall, according to the defensive coordinator. "Wormley has to just say, 'I'm healthy now.' That happens," Mattison said. "He showed it in the spring by competing, but he still didn't turn the switch all the way. "It will come. In fall camp, you're going to see him say, 'Okay, I'm good now. I'm good.' It's mental. Very seldom do you have a guy who, once the doctor says you're cleared, goes like he did before. "Chris is so talented, so big, so strong, and can run so well. When that clicks, you're going to really like it." A wild card option come fall will be true freshman Henry Poggi (64, 260), one of the most highly sought-after prep defensive linemen in the nation this past year. Poggi possesses the athleticism to play defensive end, but could attain a strength and bulk that could allow him to also swing inside at times, Mattison noted. Redshirt sophomore Keith Heitzman, who made seven tackles (one for loss) in 2012, came out of spring practice with an edge at the strongside end position. photo by lon horwedel Big Ten Rankings Players 1. Deion Barnes, R-So., Penn State — The 2012 Big Ten Freshman of the Year led the Nittany Lions with 10.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks in 2012. 2. Tyler Scott, 5th-Sr, Northwestern — NU's 2012 Defensive MVP, he led the Wildcats with 9.0 sacks and currently ranks ninth in school history with 10 career sacks. 3. Ra'Shede Hageman, 5th-Sr., Minnesota — The monstrous defensive tackle was an immovable force for the Gophers in 2012, stockpiling 35 tackles and 6.0 sacks in 13 starts. 4. Adolphus Washington, So., Ohio State — Washington displayed flashes of the size and athleticism that made him one of the most highly sought-after recruits in the 2012 class, reeling in 3.5 sacks as a freshman. 5. Marcus Rush, R-Jr., Michigan State — The Cincinnati native has started the first 27 games of his collegiate career and has amassed 96 tackles, including 19.5 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks. 6. Beau Allen, Sr., Wisconsin — The 333-pounder has been a stalwart in the middle of the Badgers' front line for three seasons, and has registered 13.0 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 41 career contests. 7. Noah Spence, So., Ohio State — The former five-star prospect was productive when on the field as a true freshman, recording 12 tackles and one sack. 8. DaQuan Jones, Sr., Penn State — A mountain of a man at the center of the Nittany Lions defensive front, the 333-pounder was in on 22 tackles, including 2.0 for loss and 0.5 sacks. 9. Frank Clark, Jr., Michigan — The ultra-athletic junior impressed during spring practice, and should see an expanded role off the edge for the Wolverines. 10. Bruce Gaston, Sr., Purdue — The block-devouring defensive tackle made 28 stops, including 5.5 tackles for loss, last season but must step up in the absence of graduated star Kawann Short. UNITS 1. Ohio State — The Buckeyes must replace all four starters from a year ago, including 2012 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year John Simon, but reload with a cavalcade of talented youngsters led by Noah Spence and Adolphus Washington. 2. Penn State — All-Big Ten defensive tackle Jordan Hill is departed, but senior DaQuan Jones should be serviceable in his spot, especially with defensive ends Deion Barnes and C.J. Olaniyan raiding the opposing backfield. 3. Wisconsin — The Badgers will employ three senior stalwarts up front in Beau Allen, Pat Muldoon and Ethan Hemer, but must adjust to an unfamiliar 3-4 scheme under firstyear defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. 4. Michigan — U-M will rely on its excellent depth to fill the void left by graduated defensive tackle William Campbell and defensive end Craig Roh. The middle of the line should be stout with Quinton Washington and Jibreel Black pairing up at the tackle spot, and the Wolverines have an assembly of explosive pass rushers on the edges. 5. Michigan State — The Spartans were the top ground defense in the Big Ten last season, yielding just 98.6 yards per game, and they return several key players, but suffered an immense setback when star defensive end William Gholston bolted for the NFL during the offseason. The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview ■ 133