The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2017 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 109 LINEBACKERS injury, and he could still see some time there this year. He practiced mainly at safety in the spring, however, and seems to have found a home there. Redshirt sophomore Jordan Glasgow, though, went the other way. He was another 'tweener who was given a look at safety — and he's solid enough to play it, as evidenced by his 101-yard interception return for a touchdown in the spring game. Brown, though, likes him at viper and believes that's his best fit, saying in Orange Bowl practices he felt he found Glasgow the right place to line up. "I really like the position," Glasgow said this spring. "It's a playmaker position, and it's a really fun position to be on the field. "I really don't think there is a challenge, because I came from safety and the other viper playing with me came from safety. It's like we came from a more coverage position to covering tight ends. I feel like it's an easy transition in general." There will be about 10 spread teams on the schedule, Brown noted, so it only makes sense to add more speed at the linebacker position. Wisconsin and MSU will come right at them and Ohio State in a different way — "it will be interesting," Brown said — but he insisted he'd have a plan. Against the Spartans last year, the Wolver- ines turned to redshirt junior Noah Furbush in short yardage and goal-line situations, and he made some plays. He was also very good in the spring game, notching four tack- les, one sack, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup on a late third-down play to force a punt. Coaches are also pleased with sophomore Josh Uche's development. He notched four tackles, as well, including a half tackle for loss in the spring scrimmage. "We feel like we're in way better shape now from a depth standpoint at that Sam/ viper on who the guys are," Brown said. "Furbush and Uche are farther along. I just feel really good about that whole mix and what we can do with it." Sophomores Devin Gil (one tackle in the spring game) and Elysee Mbem-Bosse (two) are athletic, improving and will provide depth at the inside positions. Redshirt junior Jared Wangler didn't play in the spring game but returns after notching thee tackles in five games last year, as well. While there appears to be a pecking order, Partridge insists there's a long way to go before anyone solidifies a job. "I think every one of my linebackers is one of my top guys," Partridge said. "They all have to come to work and they have an opportunity. … I'm not ready to say who the top guys are. They all have to earn their time and do their part." ❏ Sophomore Khaleke Hudson played in all 13 games last year but only twice on defense, and he will have a major bigger role this year at the viper position vacated by Jabrill Peppers. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN