The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/137378
DL While seeing action in nine contests as a reserve end last season, sophomore Mario Ojemudia notched 11 stops, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, an interception and a fumble recovery. photo by lon horwedel "Henry is one of those guys who will be a really good five-technique that makes Mattison's eyes light up. defensive end, then in passing situations be able to move down inside "He's right," Mattison said. "Frank doesn't want to earn the title of and be a load there," Mattison pointed out. being a big-play player. He wants to be a tough, physical player that Meanwhile, Michigan's rush ends all can run, all feature considerable makes big plays because of his athleticism and his toughness. athleticism, and Mattison is prepping them to wreak havoc in opposing "When he was younger, it was yeah, Frank can make a big play. Now backfields all season. he's got to be the whole package." It starts with junior Frank Clark The veteran coach saw an example (6-2, 277), who started four games of Clark's increased maturity late in out of his 13 appearances last season. "We would really like to roll eight, the spring. Clark's 25 stops included an eye"He had his hand in a cast the last nine guys through those four opening number behind the line of week of spring," Mattison said. "He positions during the course of the scrimmage (nine), including two never batted an eye. There would sacks. game. We did that during the spring." have been a time when he would He's someone who has followed have said, 'I can't do that. I've got my Head coach Brady Hoke the proper path of adding bulk while hand in a cast.' If I said something on U-M's defensive linemen retaining athleticism, which could about that technique wasn't good, it prove to be a path of destruction for Michigan foes come late August. didn't matter if he had a cast on or not. He just said okay, and did it. "Frank came here at 219 pounds," Mattison noted. "He now weighs "I don't believe that kind of little thing would have happened before. 277. He runs just like he did when he got here. He's gotten stronger, He understands what his role is." he's gotten more physical. Frank's biggest thing has been to get his All that said, Mattison believes he could slip sophomore Mario technique down. Ojemudia (6-3, 244) into the lineup without missing a beat, or a "He was like a safety. He was like an outside backer. He'd never beat-down, as it were. Ojemudia showed plenty in his nine game played that physical of a position in high school. As he's gotten appearances as a true freshman. stronger and bigger since high school, he now can do that." His 11 tackles included a sack among 2.5 tackles for loss, and he He's also become an on-field leader, Mattison stressed. Other players also secured an interception, recovered a fumble, and forced a football watch him carefully, and when he's executing the way he can, he loose. He's ready to take the next step, Mattison assured. doesn't need to say a word, the coach explained. "Mario is probably the best technician of the whole group," Mattison Clark has expressed a desire to be a more consistent performer, and assessed. "He had great high school coaches. They taught him to use 134 ■ The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview