Michigan Football Preview 2015

2015 Michigan Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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THE WOLVERINE 2015 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 23 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Drevno: Jake Rudock's Addition Adds To The Competition Many believe former Iowa quarterback and Michigan graduate transfer Jake Rudock will win the starting job this fall, but offensive coordinator Tim Drevno isn't con- ceding it to him or anyone else. He is pleased, however, to have another experienced voice at the quarterback roundtable. "He brings a lot of football experience and should be a great asset for everybody in the room, including the coaches," Drevno said. "His football maturity is good — he's been there and done it on the big stage. That's something that will help all the guys in the room. It helps the process as we move forward." Dialogue and running ideas past each other will be key for all of the quarterbacks in their development, he added. Seeing a play through someone else's lens can be extremely valuable. Junior Shane Morris was the No. 1 quarterback coming out of spring practice, head coach Jim Harbaugh said, but neither he nor Rudock will have a head start come fall. "Every year we compete in training camp, and compet- ing should bring the best out of anybody," Drevno said. "Having [Rudock] in the room, though, to get his perspec- tive and see his preparation every week … he's seen a lot of different coverages and fronts. There should be more dialogue in that room because of it, a lot of guys learning from each other — like, 'That makes sense you thought that because a coverage rolled this way or the corner was off,' or did this or that." Michigan will also add Houston transfer John O'Korn, who will be able to take part in those meetings even though he has to sit out a year due to NCAA transfer rules. Coming from a family of football coaches doesn't always guarantee a kid will follow in the footsteps of those before him, but it often does. First-year tight ends coach Jay Harbaugh was probably destined to coach given the pedigree of his father, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, and uncle, Bal- timore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. The younger Harbaugh coached the last few years for his uncle and earned a Super Bowl ring when John's Baltimore team beat Jim's San Francisco 49ers. The experience with the Ravens provided the mentoring he needed to be ready to join his dad's staff, his first job as a position coach. "I don't think I can really put it into words how great of a place that is and what a spe- cial place to prepare it is," Jay Harbaugh said of his time in Baltimore. "I've said this before, but it's like being in a football incu- bator. All the positions are perfect to learn and grow, get better. There are so many tremendous coaches and leaders. They have everything you need, and the ownership and management is top notch. In that regard, it was outstanding." "I really am appreciative of my time be- ing around [John]. I think the world of him as a leader, and even bigger than being a coach, as a leader of people. He's really special. To be able to be around him and be with him day in and day out and watch him will stick with me forever. I learned a lot from him." He's also ready to continue learning from the man he calls dad. There's been no ad- justment period, he said — just working. "It's an easy place to move to and fun to be a part of everything here," he said of moving to Ann Arbor. "It's just been a blast to be around him and learn from him even more than I have in the past, along with the rest of the guys he's hired here. They're really good guys, good teachers and good leaders. You're always excited to be around people like that." With his father, Jim, and uncle, John, having faced off in the Super Bowl, Jay Harbaugh can claim strong family ties to his profession like no other young coach in the country. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Offensive coordinator Tim Drevno said, "Every year we compete in training camp, and competing should bring the best out of anybody." PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Tight Ends Coach Jay Harbaugh Has Learned From Two Greats

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