Michigan Football Preview 2015

2015 Michigan Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/526035

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 95 of 163

94 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2015 FOOTBALL PREVIEW for taking care of my brother and doing what she does. "She and the rest of my family were all happy for me, but it was bittersweet. I was just sad I had to leave, but we Facetime and text. My dad is back home, too, so that's good." Most of them will be in the stands Sept. 3 for his homecoming, Michigan's Thursday night game at Utah to open the season. "Hell, yeah!" he responded when asked if his support group would be on hand. "That game is going to be packed with a lot of maize and blue for my family. You'll see." Home Away From Home If Mone thought leaving was hard, he found the first few weeks away from home even tougher. He hadn't spent much time away from home, and when he did — a church retreat to Sacramento, Calif., during his senior year — he felt during prayer he was being guided to Michigan. He made his choice shortly thereafter and told his family his plans. Had it not been for Houma, a fellow Salt Lake City Highland High standout, it never would have happened. The two were best friends, hanging out at school and on and off the field, and shared a bond. "That's my brother right there," Mone said. "Some of the reason I came to Michi- gan was because of him, being able to play with my brother again. He was working on recruiting me, but he also wanted the best for me, so that meant a lot." Houma, also Tongan, convinced Mone that the Michigan coaches were as con- cerned about their players as people, first, and that they were the same after recruiting them as they were during. Mone put his trust in his close friend. "We both have the mentality of family first, and we're both about putting God first, too," Mone said. "I knew I could trust him. We do a lot of stuff together in Ann Arbor, along with my other teammates/brothers." When he got homesick — and he did — they were there to help him through his ini- tial second doubts. "Ann Arbor is different — really differ- ent [than Salt Lake City]," he said. "But these guys opened their arms to me, all the other guys in my class. Everybody's cool. Michigan hasn't churned out NFL defensive linemen like it has other positions, but there have been a number of outstanding performers over the years. If there were a Mount Rushmore for U-M linemen from the last 50 years, these four would be tough to beat. Mark Messner (1985-88): Messner wasn't big up front, but there was no more relentless pass rusher in the country. His quickness off the ball often had him in the backfield before a lineman could take his first step. As a result, Mess- ner led Michigan in sacks three straight seasons (1985-87) and earned All-America honors twice. He established a Michigan record for career tackles for loss with a remark- able 70 by the time he had finished his career, a record that still stands today. He is also Michigan's career sacks leader with 36. Messner totaled 248 tackles in his career, was the MVP of Michigan's 1986 Fiesta Bowl win over Nebraska with nine tackles, a forced fumble and a key fumble recovery late in the game, and he later played for the Los Angeles Rams. Bill Yearby (1963-65): Known best for his relentless pursuit, Yearby was a dominant tackle whose strength and speed usually proved too much for opponents. He was Michigan's MVP in 1965 and was twice honored as an All American (1964-65). He was a valuable member of the Wolverines' 1964 Big Ten championship team. "He was a year behind me, and I always said the only reason I was voted All-Big Ten was because I played next to him, and they couldn't give him All-Big Ten in two positions, his and mine," former teammate Jim Conley quipped. "He was a phenomenal player and athlete in every sport. He was a great track guy, played basketball, and frankly could have played a lot more. "He was one of the best players I've ever seen in college." Yearby passed away in 2010. Brandon Graham (2006-09): A two-time team MVP, Graham capped his Michigan career with All-Big Ten and All-America honors in 2009. He led the nation in tackles for loss in 2009 and was the only player to rank in the top10 nationally in tackles for loss in 2008 and 2009. He still ranks second in school history with 29.5 career sacks, and when he recorded 10.5 sacks in his senior season, he became just the second Wolverine to post two double-digit sack seasons. Graham totaled 26 tackles for loss in 2009, tying him for the second-best single-season total in school history. He ranks second on Michigan's all-time list with 55.5 tackles for loss in his career. He was co- winner of the Chicago Tribune 2009 Silver Football Award, awarded annually to the Big Ten's MVP, becoming just the seventh defensive player to win that award a n d j o i n i n g H e i s - man winner Charles Woodson as the only defensive players to win the award in the last 25 years. He's become a very good linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles. LaMarr Woodley ( 2 0 0 3 - 0 6 ) : O n e o f M ichigan's best- ever pass rushers, Woodley finished third in school his- tory with 52.5 tackles for loss and tied for third with 24 sacks. He matched Michigan's single-season sack record in 2006 when he notched 12 to earn All-America honors for the Wolverines' best defensive team since 1997. He also set the Michigan record for forced fumbles with 10. Woodley earned All-America honors, captured the Lombardi Award (awarded to the best linemen or linebacker in college foot- ball) and the Ted Hendricks Award (awarded to the nation's best defensive end) in 2006. He was drafted in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and has enjoyed a very productive NFL career. — Chris Balas Brandon Graham totaled 26 tackles for loss in 2009, tying him for the second-best single-season total in school history, and he ranks second on U-M's all-time list with 55.5 tack- les for loss in his career. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN me, so that meant a lot." other guys in my class. Everybody's cool. for loss in his career. He was co- Chicago Tribune 2009 Silver Football Award, awarded annually to the Big Ten's MVP, becoming just the seventh defensive player to win that award O n e o f M ichigan's best- ever pass rushers, Woodley finished third in school his- tory with 52.5 tackles for loss and tied for third with 24 sacks. He matched Michigan's single-season sack record in 2006 when he notched 12 to earn All-America honors for the Wolverines' best defensive team since 1997. He also set the Michigan record for forced fumbles with 10. Woodley earned All-America honors, captured the Lombardi Award (awarded to the best linemen or linebacker in college foot- ball) and the Ted Hendricks Award (awarded to the nation's best defensive end) in 2006. He was drafted in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and has enjoyed a very — Chris Balas Brandon Graham totaled 26 tackles for loss in 2009, tying him for the second-best single-season total in school history, and he ranks second on U-M's all-time list with 55.5 tack- les for loss in his career. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Defensive Line: Michigan's Mount Rushmore

Articles in this issue

view archives of Michigan Football Preview 2015 - 2015 Michigan Football Preview