8 - Friday, April 4, 2014 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com What to Watch For: Spring Game Mi must about maybe Sin practi began Febru before Sprini Break has ta optim look each and positi group long as a te Net chanc has Io seasor this s The like s footba final p summ "It more "We n our ro and t situati stuff,, The storyl in the Sature 1. V By GREG GARNO inexperienced and young backs Daily Sports Editor takes over behind an equally inexperienced offensive line. chigan coach Brady Hoke But enter Michigan offensive like almost everything coordinator Doug Nussmeier his team, except for and his new running back-by- e his team as a whole. committee system he plans to ce begin implementing this season. ce Michigan Nussmeier will bring a system in from Alabama that has utilized ary Spring Game multiple running backs. When: Nuosmeier and Michigan will g Saturday 2 P.M. lean heavily on a pair of power , Hoke Where: backs = sophomores Derrick ken an Michigan Green and De'Veon Smith = istic Stadium and make use of redshirt junior on TV/Radl: Justice Hayes on third downs player STN for a change of pace, each "De'Veon has had a very on good spring, Derrick has had , before saying "we're a a better spring than he did way from being any good" in the fall," Hoke said last am Thursday. Thursday. "Justice Hayes has arly every player has a done some really good things, e to start, and the team and I'm really proud of him, ng since moved past last both carrying the ball and in the n's disappointing 7-5 finish protection game. It'd be nice to pring, get Drake (Johnson) back and ough it may not feel put him in the mix." pring yet, the Michigan Green and Smith are both ll team is set to host its physical backs, weighing more practice of the year before than 220 pounds, but Green's er. physicality is beginning to show won't be a game, it'll be through after he was considered like a practice," Hoke said, the No. 1 running back coming eed reps. You go through out of high school by Rivals.com. ster, we need as many reps "He looks better, his balance eachable moments with is probably better, vision is ional football - red zone better, just more quickness third-down stuff." through coming out of the Daily previews which holes," Hoke said. ines to keep an eye on e annual spring practice day. Nhich running back will 2. Is the offensive line stronger without Lewan and Schofield? ADAM GLANZMAN/Daly Sophomore running back Derrick Green is in the mix for the top spot in the backfield in offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier's running back-by-committee system. us to mesh and come together 3. The defense is changing Norfleet and has the speed that record of 1,993 set by Steve the way we didn't last year," said positions redshirt sophomores Amara Breaston, redshirt sophomore guard Kyle Darboh and Jehu Chesson don't "This year, it's time for one to Kalis. "I think we're going to be Speaking of change, Saturday quite have on the outside, come home," Norfleet said. "That pretty good this year, will be the first chance to get a Canteen could be in the mix is the big goal this year, to bring a "Having (Lewan and look at a linebacking corps that on special teams this season, couple back. Schofield) was crucial for rotated returning starters. but watch closely to see just how "It's kind of frustrating, but at helping us grow and stuff, but Fifth-year senior Jake Ryan big of an effect his speed has in the same time, it's something you it's a totally different experience has moved from the outside to practice, just have to deal with. It's hard to now." the inside, while senior Desmond return a kick - alot of things have But everyone figures to Morgan has moved from the 5. Can Norfleet finally to happen. So, I'm just looking to be in the mix, according to outside to the inside. break one off? put the team in good position and Hoke, including early enrollee Ryan joins junior James Ross get as many yards as possible." Mason Cole. The freshman III in the middle, where he Dennis Norfleet has had one After two years of adjustment out of Florida has impressed figures to be more involved and stat looming over his head for the from high school, look to see if teammates and coaches this active in the plays, as opposed to past two seasons: zero kickoffs "Wood," as Nussmeier recently spring, so much so that he could being left alone and left to choice. returned for a touchdown. nicknamed him, can put all the be in the mix. "Now, I'm in the middle of But he can certainly take pieces together. impress the most? The obvious answer seems like a no. Lewan is projected in The better question might not the top 20 in this May's NFL be who impresses the most, but 'Draft and Schofield should also can anyone impress at all? be picked somewhere on the A nightmare season for the final day. Wolverines' ground game was But a young group figures only compounded by the loss to be stronger, thanks to more of its No. 1 back in Fitzgerald chances to bond and work Toussaint and senior tackles together. Taylor Lewan and Michael "I think the five of us all But whatever happens Saturday may have little effect on the end result, after Hoke changed his line for at least half everything," Ryan said. "As Coach Hoke said, I'm more prolific (there), I guess." Ryan won't get a chance Saturday to fully show off how far he's come in the transition, but after he managed to record 30 tackles last season in limited time, his increased reps should only bring improvement. 4. Keeping up with Canteen There's been a lot of buzz about freshman wide receiver Freddy Canteen being the fastest man on the team. Canteen clocked a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash entering spring practice, and has presented one of the more explosive options off the line of scrimmage Michigan has seen in quite some time. But very few people have talked about Canteen's ability to run routes, except Hoke. "(Canteen is a) good route runner, a guy who is entrenched in trying to be the best he can," Hoke said. "He learns well, he listens well and truly has a passion for the game." Canteen figures to see time in the slot this season, replacing Drew Dileo and providing a taller option than junior Dennis Norfleet. At 6-foot-1, Canteen has an extra six inches over solace in approaching the record for number of returns and return Daily Sports Editors Max yards. With 229 more yards, the Cohen and Alexa Dettelbach junior will break the program contributed reporting PAUL SHERMAN/Daily Junior Dennis Norfleet has yet to return a kick for a touchdown in his career. 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