Wolverines Set to Open Spring Football Practice
3/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Second-year head coach Rich Rodriguez met with the media Tuesday (March 10) in preparation for spring practice. He touched on a wide range of topics.
Following are notes from today's media session and the video and audio files:
Press Conference:Video | Audio | Audio for Mac Users
The seven true freshman January enrollees received their jersey numbers: Vincent Smith (#2), Tate Forcier (#5), Vladimir Emilien (#5), Brandin Hawthorne (#7), Mike Jones (#27), William Campbell (#73) and Anthony LaLota (#90).
Five players switched numbers heading into the spring: Roy Roundtree (#16 to #12), David Cone (#12 to #16), Jared Van Slyke (#29 to #31), George Morales (#73 to #66) and Jon Conover (#89 to #83).
Three Wolverines switched from the offensive side of the ball to defense. Vince Helmuth moved to defensive tackle from fullback, Steve Watson switched from tight end to defensive end, and walk-on Jared Van Slyke moved from wide receiver to safety.
Wide receiver Junior Hemingway received a medical hardship for last season when he missed the final eight games with mononucleosis. Hemingway will be a junior in school and a sophomore by eligibility standards.
Rodriguez commented that they are also awaiting word on medical hardships for both defensive end Adam Patterson and linebacker Kenny Demens. Both players competed in one game before their seasons ended due to injury.
Rodriguez mentioned two players that would miss spring because of offseason surgery: linebacker Jonas Mouton (shoulder) and running back Michael Shaw (sports hernia).
