Michigan Wolverines

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Michigan Wolverines: Desmond Howard

Region Series Quick Hits: Midwest 

June, 11, 2013
Jun 11
10:00
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Quick Hits is a look at the must-know facts for each region in regard to Michigan and its football recruiting efforts. It will give you an idea of the Wolverines’ history in that region, as well as what one can expect from that region over the next few seasons.

MIDWEST

1. How many players on Michigan’s roster are from the region?


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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan senior tight end Brandon Moore will wear the No. 87 Legends jersey in honor of Ron Kramer for the rest of the season.

"When you think of the history and tradition of this program and some of the great players like Ron Kramer, to carry on that legacy, that responsibility, is humbling," Moore said in a statement. "It's an honor to wear No. 87."

Moore, who used to wear No. 89, is injured and will not dress Saturday.

Kramer was a two-time All-American in 1955 and 1956 and a three-time All-Big Ten first-team player from 1954 to 1956. He mostly played tight end and on the defensive line for Michigan, but also saw brief stints at quarterback, running back and returning kicks and punts.

At Michigan, Kramer is eighth all-time in receiving yards among tight ends with 880 from 1954 to 1956.

Besides football, Kramer also played basketball and ran track at Michigan. He averaged 16.9 points a game for the Wolverines from 1954-57 in basketball and scored 1,119 points in his career, 38th all-time. Kramer is also Michigan’s all-time free throw percentage leader at 87.8 percent.

Kramer, who died at age 75 in 2010, was a first round draft pick for Green Bay in 1957 and played in the NFL for 10 seasons. He had 229 catches for 3,272 yards and 16 touchdowns during his career.

His jersey has been the third given the “Legends Patch” distinction by Michigan, joining the No. 21 from Desmond Howard last season (currently worn by Roy Roundtree) and the No. 47 from Bennie Oosterbaan (worn by Jake Ryan).
ANN ARBOR, Mich. --Michigan redshirt sophomore linebacker Jake Ryan is wearing the No. 47 jersey, unretired Saturday before No. 19 Michigan's game against Air Force.

Ryan had five tackles in the season-opener against Alabama.

Bennie Oosterbaan's family was honored on the field before the game, presented with a framed No. 47.

This is the second Legends Patch awarded. Former Michigan receiver Desmond Howard was given the designation last season and his No. 21 jersey was first worn by Junior Hemingway and then this season by fifth-year senior Roy Roundtree. Oosterbaan's No. 47 is the first of four previously retired jerseys to be put back into circulation this season by Michigan.

Oosterbaan is one of two three-time All-Americans at Michigan, earning the honor in 1925, 1926 and 1927. After playing at Michigan, he started coaching at the school, first as an assistant for Fritz Crisler and then as the Michigan head coach from 1948 to 1958.

In that time, he had a 63-33-4 record and won the national championship in 1948. His teams also won or shared three Big Ten titles.

Oosterbaan was also a two-time All-American in basketball in 1927 and 1928.
Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith grew up in Michigan and is an unabashed fan of teams from the state, including Michigan and the Red Wings. He even brought Niklas Lidstrom on stage at a recent concert.

He also made news recently for singing part of "The Victors" at the end of a Chili Peppers concert in Columbus, Ohio. We caught up with Smith on Tuesday, when he explained how he became a Michigan fan, some of his favorite moments watching the Wolverines and what Chili Peppers song he'd like to hear played in Michigan Stadium.

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Roy Roundtree AP Photo/Tony DingRoy Roundtree will switch from No. 12 to the No. 21 jersey next season in honor of Desmond Howard.
ANN ARBOR, Mich.-- Roy Roundtree is changing numbers.

The fifth-year senior receiver will wear No.21 next season instead of No.12, which he wore his first four seasons.

Michigan made the number a big deal last season, honoring former Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard.

"Coach [Brady] Hoke and I discussed it and one day I came into the locker room and went to the No.12 locker and didn't see my name anymore," Roundtree said."I laughed, looked around and there it was at No.21."

Howard said in a statement he was pleased with Roundtree wearing the jersey next season.

"He's the type of kid who is always positive, upbeat and wearing a smile on his face," Howard said."Roy embraces the concept of team that was instilled in us by coach [Bo] Schembechler so many years ago."

The first time Roundtree will wear the jersey in a game will be Sept.1 against Alabama.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- College athletes are typically goal-oriented. They have to be to reach that level.

The Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) at the University of Michigan set a goal last June when they were away from the courts, fields and matches: six figures.

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As NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. continues to laud the possibility of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson as a wide receiver in the NFL -- he has him as his No. 2 senior NFL Draft prospect at receiver for 2013 -- the question remains.

Could Robinson be a first-round draft pick having never caught a college pass?

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