The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/696825
120 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW DEFENSIVE BACKS on his speed and quickness. Chances are, meanwhile, that the two incoming freshmen Smith inherits will see the field this fall. At the very least they'll have the chance to compete and vie for playing time. Rivals.com three-star prospect Khaleke Hudson (6-0, 206), a two- way standout at McKeesport (Pa.) High, "will find his way on the field early," Brown said during National Signing Day in February. Cornerbacks coach Michael Zordich went so far as to call him the "poster boy for a Michigan Man." "He's an athletic guy, brings physicality, is good with the ball in his hands and is just one of those guys that makes plays from what I've seen on film," Smith added. "I'm excited about him coming in." Hudson will start out as a strong safety, while fellow frosh Josh Metellus (6-0, 195, Rivals.com three-star prospect and Florida Class 8A first-team All-State honoree) is more a free safety, though each will learn both positions. "From what I've seen on tape, good things should happen with both of them," Smith said. "The guy everybody keeps talking about is Khaleke, but I like the way Josh moves back there. He's a physical guy. You can see his passion for the game on tape, and I'm excited about him coming in. "What stands out is the way he plays the game. He attacks the ball and has the right mentality, something you can't teach." If the safeties as a group are rather unproven, the cornerbacks are just the opposite. All-American Jourdan Lewis is the headliner of the group and was lights out during spring. However, another cor- nerback — senior Channing Stribling — earned MVP honors for the first week of spring ball in Florida by picking off a number of passes, including a pair during the final practice that was open to the public. The seniors have a chance to be Michigan's best cover duo since perhaps Charles Woodson and Andre Weathers in 1997 — and that's if Stribling secures the starting nod over fifth-year senior Jeremy Clark, a player Brown called the most improved out of spring ball. Those three give the Wolverines the Big Ten's elite complement of corners, former Michigan All-Big Ten safety Marcus Ray noted. "They are probably the best [group in the Big Ten]," he said. "They aren't young anymore and they have all really matured." It starts with Lewis (5-10, 175), a 2015 first-team All-American (USA Today) and All-Big Ten selection. Lewis broke up 20 passes, a Michigan single-season record, and picked off two passes, returning one for a touchdown in a 38-0 win over Northwestern. Though not the biggest corner in the conference, Lewis is men- tioned with Iowa's Desmond King — last year's Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation's top defensive back — as the cream of the conference crop. "There are a lot of things he's doing with raw, natural ability," Ray said. "He's aggressive and smart, he's physical and he plays with a lot of confidence. He's a leader. "There are a few things he can work on with his technique before he's the best he can be, but he's a big-time guy." He might need to add some weight to excel at the next level, Ray said, but there's no question he's a future pro. "I think he could still work on playing the ball in the air, and there are times it seems his feet are stuck in cement so he'll reach and lunge," Ray noted. "At times he gets beat at the line of scrimmage. But too much is made of size in the NFL. Look at Darrelle Revis [of the New York Jets, who is listed at 5-11, 198 pounds]. "When you're athletic like he is and you play with great technique and can run, that's what you need." If a player can do all of the above and boasts great size, he has an even better shot. Ray believes Stribling can be that guy, calling the 6-2, 181-pounder the Michigan corner with the most pro upside. "He needs to become a student of the game, start to anticipate how receivers are going to attack him in certain coverages — whether he's in cover two, cover three, off man to man," Ray said. "When he gets into the playbook, I think we'll see how good he can be. "But he's not afraid to tackle, and he can cover. He's just a little inconsistent, and I would like to see him loosen up his hips a little at Yards TD Year Yards Per Game Allowed 2015 2,060 158.5 8 2014 2,324 193.7 14 2013 3,007 231.3 23 2012 2,203 169.5 16 2011 2,476 190.5 12 Yards TD Year Yards Per Game Allowed 2010 3,404 261.8 21 2009 2,657 221.4 18 2008 2,760 230.0 19 2007 2,325 178.8 14 2006 2,924 224.9 19 Year-by-Year Pass Defense Fifth-year senior cornerback Jeremy Clark was touted by his coaches as being the most improved player at his position during the spring. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN