TheWolverine.com - Spring at the halfway point: Wolverines on the rise

March 30, 2009

Michael Spath
TheWolverine.com Senior Writer

It's never too late to impact in the Rich Rodriguez era. He promises opportunity to his players every new season, every new day, and junior tight end Martell Webb is making the most of that promise. He is one of five Wolverines on the rise as spring practice passes the halfway mark ??

Wolverines On The Rise
	Patrick Omameh Offense Tackle Redshirt Freshman 6-4 ? 276 pounds	Among Michigan's redshirt freshmen, Omameh was the top one to watch entering spring practice. He's done nothing to disappoint. After starting off with the No. 2 unit in the first week, he quickly moved up to the first unit as the starting right tackle, with redshirt junior Steve Schilling moving inside to guard. From watching individual drills, it is clear few OL teammates possess the natural athletic ability he does. He's done everything according to plan so far and is in position to start next fall.
	Martell Webb Tight End Junior 6-4 ? 254 pounds	After seeing the field a bit as a freshman, Webb looked like the heir apparent to Carson Butler at tight end but both ended up in the doghouse during the 2008 season. Under head coach Rich Rodriguez, though, a player is given every opportunity to work his way back into favor and Webb appears to have done just that. From Rodriguez's pre-practice press conferences, and from everything we've seen with our own eyes, Webb could be a real factor in 2009 after making gains physically and mentally. He's catching the ball this spring too -- something he struggled with last year.
	Vincent Smith Tailback Freshman 5-6 ? 158 pounds	Had one ranked the potential impact of Michigan's seven early enrollees three weeks ago, Smith may have fallen in at No. 6 or No. 7. Today, he might be No. 2 behind quarterback Tate Forcier. The rookie tailback has been superb in spring practices, winning the trust of coaches and teammates. By the end of last week, he had worked his way up to second on the depth chart and was even taking snaps with the No. 1 offense. Possessing speed, elusiveness and unexpected toughness, Smith could play a prominent role next fall.
	Junior Hemingway Wide Receiver Redshirt Sophomore 6-1 ? 226 pounds	It's an important spring for Michigan's wide receivers. Outside of Martavious Odoms (and even he left some questions on the table), no one showed the consistency necessary last fall to guarantee a role in 2009. Hemingway missed most of 2008 with an injury, and mono, but is back to 100 percent and proving that he can be a dependable commodity next season. The redshirt sophomore has greatly refined his game and is showing the urgency this spring of a veteran that wants to make the most of his big chance.
	Brandon Smith Safety Redshirt Freshman 6-3 ? 211 pounds	Does anyone look the part better than Smith? The physical safety might just be the decade-long solution to a mystifying problem in the U-M secondary. He's working with the ones and has made some nice plays in practices already. When he's closer to the line of scrimmage he can do some real damage but we'll have to preach patience on seeing what he can do further away from the line. After all, he has a senior teammate that was known as a great practice performer too.
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