Michigan Football: Drevno Says O-Line Has A Higher Ceiling
Michigan’s offensive line continues to improve, especially from center to the right side. Offensive coordinator/line coach Tim Drevno believes they still have another level they can reach.
There wasn’t much drop-off between redshirt sophomore left tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty and sophomore Grant Newsome after the former replaced the latter in the Wisconsin game following Newsome’s injury. There’s room for improvement there and everywhere else, Drevno said.
“We can always find what we’re good at, what we still need to improve on … if they know their landmarks, double teams, if they’re fitting it right, got their eyes in the right split,” he said. “There are a lot of things as a coach … you’re watching reps to get a better understanding of what guys can do and what improve on.
“We’re getting better every day. There’s still a ceiling for us to get better, but we’re better than we were last year and I’m pleased with the progress. There’s still a lot more room for improvement. That’s important that you keep pushing at it and keep getting better.”
Players like underclassmen Nolan Ulizio and Jon Runyan Jr. continue to improve and are “doing a nice job, progressing,” he added, due in part to the influence of the seniors.
“When we go in the classroom and teach, they do a good job absorbing what we’re teaching,” he said. “They ask questions, and they might be a step in front of you. They’ll cover you as a coach, and they’re coaching the younger guys because they know what you want.
“You look at older guys that are very locked in and want to be successful at whatever they do. It’s neat, a fun deal when you walk in the room like that; neat because we’re laying a foundation for the younger guys. We always say tradition never graduates.”
NOTES
• Drevno got emotional talking about Newsome. He’s visited him a number of times since his sophomore’s gruesome knee injury suffered against Wisconsin and said he’s relieved at news he’ll be able to play again.
“Absolutely. He’s doing good,” he said. “I go up there and see him. Gosh darn, he’s just got that look in his eye that it’s not too much and he’s going to get through it.
“Talk about a selfless guy. My wife and I talked to him when it first happened, he was laying in bed, and the first thing he asks is how my son’s game was Friday. Wow. Talk about a guy … that gets me a little choked up. That’s someone’s child sitting in that hospital bed. But they’re going to get through it. They really are.”
• Drevno said spreading carries around at tailback is beneficial to both the team and his players’ futures.
“It helps them for the NFL,” he said. “I really believe in the NFL they don’t want to take a guy with a bunch of carries. They want a guy who is a little fresher. You want to get to that level and play at a high productive level. … You don’t want someone who has taken all those hits. You want to save a little bit of life and energy in them.”
• Fifth-year senior Kyle Kalis said he’s graded out in the 90s or high 80s in each of his games, and it’s showing on the field.
“He’s playing very well, very physical at the point of attack, I think quick on his feet,” Drevno said. “He understands what we want. He’s doing a really, really nice job in there, Kyle. Playing his best football.”