The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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126 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW SPECIAL TEAMS "We're going to have a bunch of different things," Harbaugh said. "When you look at what teams are doing nationally, there's probably 120 teams, maybe 65-75 that are some variation of hybrid, they're not really pro-style, they're not really shield, they go back and forth." "Bax did a great job, and we're definitely going to use a lot of that," Partridge added. "We'll add some new flavor in it, do some different things. We want to be an exciting, but fundamental, special teams unit." The Wolverines will again feature plenty of firepower in the return game. Last year, senior cornerback Jourdan Lewis settled into return- ing kickoffs in the latter portion of the season, averaging 25.2 yards on 15 tries. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Jabrill Peppers brought back eight kicks an average of 27.9 yards, while fifth-year senior wide receiver Jehu Chesson returned four kicks for a 41.5 average, mostly due to a 96-yard touchdown bolt. They'll all be available again, along with senior safety Dymonte Thomas, although Peppers was taken off kickoff returns last year when other duties — including playing on offense — ramped up. He's still Michigan's best and most dangerous punt returner, bring- ing back 17 a year ago for an average of 11.4 per return, with a long of 41. Fifth-year senior wideout Amara Darboh notched one punt return of 11 yards in 2015. "That's nice for us," Partridge said of U-M's return options. "We've got a bunch of guys coming in as freshmen that we're excited about as return men. It was one of the focuses for us. Pep, Jourdan Lewis and Jehu will all return kickoffs this year. We'll go with the hot hand and maybe who needs a blow. It's nice to have a bunch of guys there. "On punts, Darboh gets in the mix. You've got Pep and Jourdan. We have a plethora of guys who can make plays and be explosive." Allen noted he appreciated what Baxter brought to the table a year ago, but figures the Wolverines will keep right on rolling now. "After he left, we had some things to figure out on special teams," Allen said. "But he really laid a foundation, so it's something we can build off." Allen will be a central figure in that building. How much he handles in his final year has to do not only with his own performance, but that of younger Wolverines as well. ❏ Kornblue: Michigan's In A Great Situation At Kicker Brandon Kornblue knows Michigan's kicking situation and has since he performed on the Wolverines' national championship squad and others in the mid-1990s. Right now, he likes what he sees. Kornblue — who runs Kornblue Kicking, involving camps, combines, group training and private lessons — knows how capable fifth-year senior kicker Kenny Allen remains. Kornblue also has been watching and working with incoming freshman Quinn Nordin since Nordin was in junior high. It's all good for the Wolverines, Kornblue assured. "Having Kenny Allen there alleviates a lot of the pressure," he said. "Kenny can realisti- cally do the job in all three [field goals, kickoffs and punts] and do it very, very well. Quinn is going to come in and compete, and he wants the job. "He wants to play. He wants to get on the field right away. He doesn't want to redshirt. But I personally think it's the perfect position." In other words, Nordin can fight for one or more of the kicking phases, but he isn't forced into that position because there's no one else available. "I'm not going to be surprised either way," Kornblue said. "I know Kenny Allen enough to know I won't be surprised if he takes over all three jobs. I know Quinn enough to know I won't be surprised if he ends up winning a job. "It's a great issue for Michigan to have. They have a couple of really good, quality guys there. When I was there, we had Jay Feely, Remy Hamilton and guys like that, Craig Baker, and we were all competing for the same jobs. "We were all capable, but only one guy can play." — John Borton QUICK FACTS Position Coaches: Chris Partridge (first season) and Jay Harbaugh (second season). Returning Starters: PK Kenny Allen (13 career starts), LS Scott Sypniewski (25 career starts), KR Jourdan Lewis, KR Jabrill Peppers, KR Jehu Chesson, KR Dymonte Thomas, PR Jabrill Peppers and PR Amara Darboh. Departing Starter: P Blake O'Neill. Projected New Starter: P/K Quinn Nordin. Top Reserve: K Andrew David. Wait Until 2017: None. Newcomers: Nordin. Moved In: None. Moved Out: None. Rookie Impact: Nordin. Most Improved Player: Allen. Best Pro Prospect: Allen. FYI: Chesson's 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Northwestern last year ranks among just a half-dozen of 95 yards or more for the Wolverines since 1948 … The only longer ones belong to Seth Smith (100 in 1994), Tyrone Wheatley (99 in 1992) and Dennis Fitzgerald (99 in 1960) … Allen went a perfect 46 of 46 on point-after efforts in 2015, becoming the ninth Wolverine to accomplish such a feat … Allen's 18 career field goals have him tied with Bob Wood (1975-76) for No. 13 on the all-time Michigan list … If Allen replicates the 18 field goals he made last season, he would jump all the way to No. 6 on the list, behind only Garrett Rivas (64, 2003-06), Remy Hamilton (63, 1993-96), Mike Gillette (57, 1985-88), Brendan Gibbons (45, 2010-13) and J.D. Carlson (39, 1989-91) … Allen's career field goal percentage (81.8) places him second on the all-time Michigan list, within striking distance of Bob Bergeron, who resides at the top (82.9 percent) … The Wolverines led the Big Ten in kickoff returns a year ago, averaging 28.4 yards per attempt … U-M finished fifth in punt returns, with an 11.4-yard average … Michigan boasted the third-best kickoff coverage unit in the conference, netting 39.8 yards per kick … Only two Big Ten schools connected on a higher percentage of field goals than Michigan in 2015: Penn State (85.7 percent) and Indiana (82.8 percent) … Allen finished third in the Big Ten in kick scoring last year, averaging 7.7 points per game, behind only Indiana's Griffin Oakes (9.6) and Nebraska's Drew Brown (8.2). Redshirt sophomore Jabrill Peppers averaged 11.4 yards per punt re- turn and 27.9 yards per kickoff runback last year, but how much he contributes on special teams this fall could be determined by how much he plays on offense. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN