Mone Fits in Quickly Among 'Brotherhood' on D-Line
9/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Steve Kornacki
A "Brotherhood" has formed on the deep Michigan defensive line.
Wolverine defensive coordinator Greg Mattison is rotating 10 defensive linemen into four positions. And so while Frank Clark and Brennen Beyer start as ends, and Willie Henry and Ryan Glasgow do likewise at tackle, there are another half-dozen players making an impact.
Freshman tackle Bryan Mone has joined sophomores Matthew Godin, Chris Wormley and Taco Charlton along with juniors Mario Ojemudia and Ondre Pipkins in forming a special bond.
"This is a brotherhood," said Mone (pronounced MO-nay). "We have a sign in our D-line room that says, "I am committed to my brothers.' And we all signed it."
Mone said defensive line coach Mark Smith posted the sign before the opening game this season against Appalachian State, and they took turns signing it.
Michigan coach Brady Hoke points to the defensive linemen, who can stay fresh with frequent substitutions, as a big reason for the Wolverines holding Notre Dame and Miami University both to 2.0 yards or less per rushing attempt in the last two games.
Their next challenge comes at 3:30 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 20) against Utah (2-0), which is averaging 5.0 yards per carry and 57.5 points per game.
Mone (6-foot-4, 312 pounds) has been a great addition in regard to stuffing the run.
-- Coach Mattison on Mone
"He has a great attitude and great talent," said Mattison. "I mean, the sky's the limit for him. You don't think that he's the youngest of all of them, but he just got out of high school. And all of a sudden, he's here starting for the University of Michigan or playing a lot for the University of Michigan. He's another one who every day gets a little bit better.
"It's not too big for him, and I've got the feeling this is going to be a big ballgame for him, coming from Utah, and he's probably played with a lot of those guys. So, we're very pleased with Bryan."
Mone enrolled in January to get an all-important jump as a student-athlete and has improved by leaps and bounds since.
"I feel more explosive and faster than in high school," said Mone, whose personal-best squat went up 100 pounds since arriving on campus.
Mone, who has four tackles, and backup junior fullback Sione Houma both played at Salt Lake City Highland High and were recruited by Utah.
"I know a lot of players on their team," Mone said. "Some I've played with and some against."
Nate Orchard, Utah's senior defensive end, took Mone under his wing in high school.
Orchard is a standout with 14 tackles and 2.5 sacks with one fumble recovery.
"Nate was my mentor," said Mone. "He's a beast. He helped me football-wise."
What will it be like to play on the same field again but as opponents?
"It's going to be different," Mone said, "way different."
Mone has moved on to a new "Brotherhood" with the Wolverines.
