The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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54 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW didn't know what Michigan football was go- ing to do, but having a good season like that helps, and the momentum just keeps rolling. "I wasn't at USC when they had the major buzz around the program, but I think there's a buzz in every college football program in America. When they come out with rank- ings, there's a buzz about who is No. 1, No. 25, who is climbing. "But the year we did have, people are like, 'Hey, what are these guys going to do this year?' Especially when you win a bowl game like that [41-7 over Florida in the Citrus Bowl], it kind of sets the whole schedule and the whole tempo, the attitude for the next coming months going into your offseason program, spring ball, into your summer program. "It kind of gets the excitement going." The Wolverine: Some said redshirt junior John O'Korn might have given Jake Rudock a run for his money as the starter if he'd been eligible to play last year instead of sitting out due to transfer rules, but others have stepped up this spring to give him competi- tion. What's the quarterback situation? DREVNO: "I think Jake did an outstanding job, but all of them are doing a good job. We'll see as we go into training camp how it all works itself out, but they all bring some- thing to the table and they're all capable of leading us. "John had an outstanding year last year, is a really competitive guy. He can run, which many probably saw in the spring game. He's elusive, can make a play when there's no play to be made. "[Redshirt sophomore] Wilton Speight is a big, tall, drop-back quarterback who can see the field really well, is really a strong- armed guy. He does a good job and really wants to compete, has really done a good job learning what we want. You could see it in the Minnesota game coming off the bench, leading the touchdown drive and the two- point conversion. "[Redshirt junior] Shane [Morris] has a maturity level, a competitiveness and style when he comes in every day that he wants to be the best. [Redshirt freshman] Alex [Malzone] is doing a good job, and [fresh- man] Brandon Peters, he's young and still learning, but you can really see his athletic ability and his talent. "All of them really bring something to the table. As we groove it and find where we're headed, we will find who the starter will be as we go through training camp." The Wolverine: What's the schedule and process for deciding on a starting quarter- back? DREVNO: "That's the magic question. It's really nothing where you can say, 'Hey, we're going to do it after two weeks' and make that decision. We'll know. We'll sit down, Jim and I, talk about it, talk about what we feel is the best and kind of decide. "Sometimes you just know in the room. Jim and I will just look at each other in the room and say, 'This is it.' We're saying the same thing, thinking the same way." The Wolverine: Morris played some re- ceiver in the spring game. What's the plan for him going forward? DREVNO: "I don't know yet. I don't know if that's an option — we'll have to see. But I like what he did in the spring game. It was good to see him out there running around, but right now he's a quarterback." The Wolverine: What have you seen from new defensive coordinator Don Brown, and what was it like going against such an ag- gressive defense in the spring? DREVNO: "Don is really a good, sharp football coach. He didn't hold back. He has a system he has to put in, so that's what he's done. There are some things he's bringing to the table and some things he's done differ- ently. Every year you grow and expand and add different things, so it was really good Top Five Players On Michigan's Offense 1. Fifth-year senior wide receiver Jehu Chesson — Chesson sat out the spring with a lower body injury, but Michigan's 2015 MVP rounded out his game last year in showing he could catch the deep ball, and he'll be part of the Big Ten's top receiving corps. He torched Florida first-round pick Vernon Hargreaves III in the Citrus Bowl. 2. Senior tight end Jake Butt — Last year's 2015 Kwalick-Clark Big Ten Tight End of the Year and first-team All-American (Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports) could be the nation's best at his position. He'll be a focal point of the offense in his last season before likely becoming an early round pick in the NFL Draft. 3. Fifth-year senior wide receiver Amara Darboh — Darboh still has another gear, it seems, and he showed it in the spring. He was tough for even Michigan's elite cornerbacks to cover. He and Chesson will be a tough assignment for conference defensive backs. 4. Senior running back De'Veon Smith — He'll never be a burner, but Smith gets the tough yards and showed better vision in the Citrus Bowl, rushing for 109 yards and two touchdowns. He also became outstanding in pass protection. 5. Junior offensive lineman Mason Cole — Cole is penciled in at center this fall, but nothing is set in stone. He will start somewhere on the offensive line, however, and some believe he is the Wolverines' best pro prospect up front. He's clearly versatile. — Chris Balas Drevno's U-M offense ranked ninth nation- ally in time of possession (33:28 average) and won that battle in 10 of 13 games last season. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN All-American tight end Jake Butt leads the way for a versatile and deep Michigan receiving corps. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL