The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/696825
THE WOLVERINE 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 55 for our offense. It's going to help us down the road. "Our guys [on offense], they did a nice job. It was good to see that, to be able to pick up the pressures, block the pressures, run the ball under the pressures and pick them up when you're passing. It was really good for us." The Wolverine: There were times against some of the better teams on the schedule that you weren't able to run the ball like you'd want to — Utah, Michigan State, Ohio State. How much of that is a product of what they wanted to force you to do, and how do you react going forward? Will this be a more explosive offense as it showed it could be at the end of last season? DREVNO: "Everybody is going to take something away from you, and you've got to be able to adjust. Some days you might be able to run the ball, some days you might be able to throw the ball … some days you might be able to do both. "I think you look back on it, go, 'Okay, they stopped us there — what was the breakdown?' Maybe this wasn't a good call against that, or maybe somebody's funda- mentals failed. But it's really taking what the defense is giving you and capitalizing on it. "We think we can be more explosive this year, want to be explosive, be unbelievable, but we've got to keep working in training camp. We've got new receivers coming in along with our experienced guys, and we're excited those guys are coming back, but we've got to keep doing what we're doing." The Wolverine: [Redshirt sophomore line- backer] Jabrill Peppers looked like the best ball carrier on the team at times last year. How much offense will he play for you this season? DREVNO: "Anybody would be happy to have him. You'd like to cookie cut and du- plicate him 100 times. He's elite. "I really hope [he'll play some offense]. I'd like to do that, but No. 1, Jim had got to finalize it to be okay and Don does, too. We've just got to do what's best for the team. You don't ever want to put anything in jeop- ardy. "We'll figure this thing out as we go with the receivers and running backs that are coming in, but there is definitely a place for him." The Wolverine: With the stable of running backs you have returning and coming in, how do you determine who gets the carries? Is it a week-to-week deal? DREVNO: "I think you just figure it out as you go. They are all talented guys, so some- times you get in a game and somebody's hot, so you keep him in there. "But I love the depth. [Senior] De'Veon Smith is a big, physical runner. [Fifth-year senior] Drake Johnson does some great stuff and [redshirt junior] Ty Isaac … oh gosh, he made unbelievable strides in the spring. I think he lost 10 pounds coming into spring ball, was a different Ty Isaac. "That's part of the process with young guys. You stay with them, keep coaching them, mentoring them and being patient with them." The Wolverine: How confident are you that this group of tight ends and wide receiv- ers can become as good as projected? DREVNO: "We feel great about the tight ends, led by an All-American in [senior] Jake Butt. I love that whole group. At re- ceiver, [fifth-year senior] Jehu Chesson is a special player, [fifth-year senior] Amara Darboh is special, too, and [freshman] Ah- mir Mitchell is a big, tall, good-looking guy with good quicks. [Redshirt junior] Mo Ways, [sophomore] Grant Perry and [red- shirt junior] Drake Harris, the true freshmen coming in … "Really, for the first time we feel good as a staff about guys being able to stretch the field and having a stable of guys, which is nice. We're excited about that, being de- tailed with the passing game and putting those guys in good positions and making sure we've got the right concepts for the quarterback and receivers to put guys in successful situations; we all feel good about. "We always aim to do that, but we need to make sure it's the right passing game in terms of how we attack defenses and make sure that we install this in training camp the right way for everybody to learn it and be comfortable, because we'll have new receiv- ers and a new quarterback. I want to make sure myself that it is ready to go." The Wolverine: What have you learned about this program in your one year-plus on the job? DREVNO: "The great tradition that's here, the campus life, how vibrant Ann Arbor is. On game day, how people are so passionate about the University of Michigan. Until you experience it, you just don't know. "Everybody talks about the 109,000 people, the 265 consecutive sellouts, but it's more than that. This is a really special place." ❏ Top Five Offensive Breakout Candidates 1. Sophomore left tackle Grant Newsome — At 6-7 and 300 pounds, Newsome has the measurables for the position, including long arms. He's got great feet and was good enough to earn playing time last year as a true freshman, not an easy feat. 2. Redshirt junior running back Ty Isaac — Isaac is a gifted back, and now he seems extremely determined. He turned a corner in spring ball after losing 10 pounds and showing toughness he hadn't during his first two years in the program, and he's U-M's top breakaway threat. 3. Redshirt junior quarterback John O'Korn — Michigan's quarterback competition wasn't settled heading into fall camp, but the Houston transfer has the most upside of those in the group. U-M needs someone to step up at this position to be a national contender. 4. Redshirt sophomore tight end Tyrone Wheatley Jr. — At 6-6 and 280 pounds, Wheatley Jr. has the tools to be a dominant run blocker, but he can also catch the ball. He could become an outstanding third-down option with his ability to shield defenders from the ball with his large frame. 5. Redshirt junior fullback Khalid Hill — Hill has proven he can catch the ball at tight end, and he'll likely get his chances out of the backfield this fall. He's still learning the position after his spring move, but he has the potential to be a good one. — Chris Balas Houston transfer John O'Korn has the most upside of any quarterback on the roster and could make the difference between a good or great season for Michigan. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN