Michigan Wolverines: Mario Ojemudia
2012 record: 8-5
2012 conference record: 6-2
Returning starters: Offense: 6; defense: 6; kicker/punter: 3
Top returners:
QB Devin Gardner, WR Jeremy Gallon, TE Devin Funchess, LT Taylor Lewan, RT Michael Schofield, DT Quinton Washington, LB Desmond Morgan, LB Jake Ryan, CB Raymon Taylor, S Thomas Gordon
Key losses
QB Denard Robinson, WR Roy Roundtree, OG Patrick Omameh, C Elliott Mealer, DE Craig Roh, DT William Campbell, LB Kenny Demens, CB J.T. Floyd, S Jordan Kovacs
2012 statistical leaders
Rushing: Denard Robinson (1,266 yards)
Passing: Denard Robinson (1,319 yards)
Receiving: Jeremy Gallon* (829 yards)
Tackles: Jake Ryan* (88)
Sacks: Jake Ryan* (4.0)
Interceptions: Thomas Gordon* and Raymon Taylor* (2)
Spring answers
1. Defensive line fine: Michigan had to replace a four-year starter in Craig Roh as well as defensive tackle Will Campbell up front. It doesn’t seem like it will be an issue. Michigan has a potential star in Frank Clark at rush end as well as depth at the position with Mario Ojemudia and Taco Charlton. Keith Heitzman, for now, seems to have locked up a spot at strong side end, but there is a lot of talent there, too. The Wolverines have depth at all four spots and while competitions will continue into the fall, Michigan should be able to rotate at defensive coordinator Greg Mattison’s leisure.
2. Devin Gardner’s progression: After the way he played toward the end of last season, there was not much doubt about Gardner as the starter, but Michigan’s coaches appear happy with his growth throughout the offseason. He has developed as a quarterback the way the coaching staff has liked, and this is even more critical because he is the only healthy scholarship quarterback until Shane Morris arrives next month. Gardner's teammates believe in him and he is setting up for a big year.
3. Tight end weapons: Michigan still doesn’t have great depth at tight end, but what the Wolverines do have is a young group of guys who will become big targets for Gardner as the position evolves into a more featured role. Devin Funchess could have a breakout sophomore season and Jake Butt has a similar skill set. A.J. Williams slimmed down as well, perhaps turning him into more than just an extra blocker.
Fall questions
1. Who runs the ball: Michigan was never going to be able to answer this question in the spring with Fitzgerald Toussaint coming off a broken leg and freshmen Derrick Green and Deveon Smith still not on campus. But none of the running backs who participated in spring made a lasting impression on the coaches, meaning if he is healthy, Toussaint will likely receive the first chance at winning the job in the fall.
2. Can Jake Ryan be replaced: Michigan seems confident with its grouping of Brennen Beyer and Cam Gordon at strongside linebacker, but part of what made Ryan Michigan’s best defender was his ability to instinctively be around the ball. Whether or not Beyer or Gordon can do that in games remains to be seen. If the combination of those two can approximate that, Michigan’s defense should be fine.
3. Can the interior of the line hold up: Michigan is replacing both of its guards and its center. While the combination of redshirt sophomore Jack Miller at center and redshirt freshmen Ben Braden and Kyle Kalis at guard has a ton of talent, none have taken a meaningful snap in a game before. How they mesh with returning tackles Taylor Lewan and Michael Schofield, along with how they connect with each other on combination blocks on the inside, could determine not only Michigan’s running success this fall, but also how many games the Wolverines win in Brady Hoke’s third season.
2012 conference record: 6-2
Returning starters: Offense: 6; defense: 6; kicker/punter: 3
Top returners:
QB Devin Gardner, WR Jeremy Gallon, TE Devin Funchess, LT Taylor Lewan, RT Michael Schofield, DT Quinton Washington, LB Desmond Morgan, LB Jake Ryan, CB Raymon Taylor, S Thomas Gordon
Key losses
QB Denard Robinson, WR Roy Roundtree, OG Patrick Omameh, C Elliott Mealer, DE Craig Roh, DT William Campbell, LB Kenny Demens, CB J.T. Floyd, S Jordan Kovacs
2012 statistical leaders
Rushing: Denard Robinson (1,266 yards)
Passing: Denard Robinson (1,319 yards)
Receiving: Jeremy Gallon* (829 yards)
Tackles: Jake Ryan* (88)
Sacks: Jake Ryan* (4.0)
Interceptions: Thomas Gordon* and Raymon Taylor* (2)
Spring answers
1. Defensive line fine: Michigan had to replace a four-year starter in Craig Roh as well as defensive tackle Will Campbell up front. It doesn’t seem like it will be an issue. Michigan has a potential star in Frank Clark at rush end as well as depth at the position with Mario Ojemudia and Taco Charlton. Keith Heitzman, for now, seems to have locked up a spot at strong side end, but there is a lot of talent there, too. The Wolverines have depth at all four spots and while competitions will continue into the fall, Michigan should be able to rotate at defensive coordinator Greg Mattison’s leisure.
2. Devin Gardner’s progression: After the way he played toward the end of last season, there was not much doubt about Gardner as the starter, but Michigan’s coaches appear happy with his growth throughout the offseason. He has developed as a quarterback the way the coaching staff has liked, and this is even more critical because he is the only healthy scholarship quarterback until Shane Morris arrives next month. Gardner's teammates believe in him and he is setting up for a big year.
3. Tight end weapons: Michigan still doesn’t have great depth at tight end, but what the Wolverines do have is a young group of guys who will become big targets for Gardner as the position evolves into a more featured role. Devin Funchess could have a breakout sophomore season and Jake Butt has a similar skill set. A.J. Williams slimmed down as well, perhaps turning him into more than just an extra blocker.
Fall questions
1. Who runs the ball: Michigan was never going to be able to answer this question in the spring with Fitzgerald Toussaint coming off a broken leg and freshmen Derrick Green and Deveon Smith still not on campus. But none of the running backs who participated in spring made a lasting impression on the coaches, meaning if he is healthy, Toussaint will likely receive the first chance at winning the job in the fall.
2. Can Jake Ryan be replaced: Michigan seems confident with its grouping of Brennen Beyer and Cam Gordon at strongside linebacker, but part of what made Ryan Michigan’s best defender was his ability to instinctively be around the ball. Whether or not Beyer or Gordon can do that in games remains to be seen. If the combination of those two can approximate that, Michigan’s defense should be fine.
3. Can the interior of the line hold up: Michigan is replacing both of its guards and its center. While the combination of redshirt sophomore Jack Miller at center and redshirt freshmen Ben Braden and Kyle Kalis at guard has a ton of talent, none have taken a meaningful snap in a game before. How they mesh with returning tackles Taylor Lewan and Michael Schofield, along with how they connect with each other on combination blocks on the inside, could determine not only Michigan’s running success this fall, but also how many games the Wolverines win in Brady Hoke’s third season.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- While Michigan’s offense has a bunch of questions surrounding who will play where and how much time freshmen might see, the Wolverines’ defense has other issues.
These, though, aren’t so bad.
Michigan has significant depth -- albeit some inexperience -- at every spot on its defense. This allows the Wolverines to come closer to reaching defensive coordinator Greg Mattison’s goal of being able to rotate players at both defensive line and linebacker to keep them fresh for later in games and later on in the season.
These, though, aren’t so bad.
Michigan has significant depth -- albeit some inexperience -- at every spot on its defense. This allows the Wolverines to come closer to reaching defensive coordinator Greg Mattison’s goal of being able to rotate players at both defensive line and linebacker to keep them fresh for later in games and later on in the season.
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Five spots where freshmen might fit 
April, 16, 2013
Apr 16
9:20
AM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Ideally, this conversation would not happen at Michigan or many other BCS-level programs this fall or any fall. But, things occur because of injuries, attrition and coaching switches so it leads to college coaches looking at guys they recruit and saying the same thing.
Which one of these guys will be able to play right away?
In basketball this is a way of life. In football it can get dangerous, depending on the competition. As Michigan builds up its roster, it has had to rely on freshmen less and less, but this season the Wolverines still will need to look to some first-year players to be key contributors on offense and defense.
Here’s a look at five freshmen -- or spots -- where you could see rookies this fall.
Which one of these guys will be able to play right away?
In basketball this is a way of life. In football it can get dangerous, depending on the competition. As Michigan builds up its roster, it has had to rely on freshmen less and less, but this season the Wolverines still will need to look to some first-year players to be key contributors on offense and defense.
Here’s a look at five freshmen -- or spots -- where you could see rookies this fall.
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Five to watch in spring: Taco Charlton
March, 6, 2013
Mar 6
10:40
AM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
Over the next week, WolverineNation will give a brief look at five players to keep an eye on during spring practice for varying reasons.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- While Taco Charlton is just one of the six early enrolling freshmen this spring, but the defensive end is more intriguing than most for the simple reason that he’ll potentially have a chance to play.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- While Taco Charlton is just one of the six early enrolling freshmen this spring, but the defensive end is more intriguing than most for the simple reason that he’ll potentially have a chance to play.
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Over the next few weeks, WolverineNation will look at every position on the Michigan roster and give a depth chart analysis of each position on the roster heading into the offseason.
One of the bigger issues Michigan had defensively this season was pressure from its front four, which is a major tenet to any good defense run by defensive coordinator Greg Mattison. And while the Wolverines return a lot of their options at rush end from last season, this is not necessarily a bad thing.
All three of their returning players, plus an incoming freshman, have major potential to improve and the competition among the four might be the most intense of the spring and preseason.
One of the bigger issues Michigan had defensively this season was pressure from its front four, which is a major tenet to any good defense run by defensive coordinator Greg Mattison. And while the Wolverines return a lot of their options at rush end from last season, this is not necessarily a bad thing.
All three of their returning players, plus an incoming freshman, have major potential to improve and the competition among the four might be the most intense of the spring and preseason.
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan’s football season will have concluded a week from today, the first full day of Michigan A.D.
And yes, life After Denard [Robinson] will look markedly different for the Wolverines, one of the topics hit on in this week’s WolverineNation Mailbag.
Have questions for the Mailbag? Send them to @chanteljennings on Twitter or jenningsespn@gmail.com. Now, on to what you want to know:
And yes, life After Denard [Robinson] will look markedly different for the Wolverines, one of the topics hit on in this week’s WolverineNation Mailbag.
Have questions for the Mailbag? Send them to @chanteljennings on Twitter or jenningsespn@gmail.com. Now, on to what you want to know:
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Season analysis: Defensive line
December, 5, 2012
12/05/12
10:01
AM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan’s defensive line entered the season as the position with more questions than any other. It had three new starters and one learning a new position in the case of Craig Roh.
With the unknown as the metric, the Wolverines’ defensive line did surprisingly well. There were some obvious flaws and holes -- the middle of the defensive line was spotty at points and the pass rush was non-existent for stretches -- but what could have been a glaring weakness turned into a serviceable group.
Considering what Michigan was working with -- mostly youth and old inexperience other than Roh -- the Wolverines held up well here.
With the unknown as the metric, the Wolverines’ defensive line did surprisingly well. There were some obvious flaws and holes -- the middle of the defensive line was spotty at points and the pass rush was non-existent for stretches -- but what could have been a glaring weakness turned into a serviceable group.
Considering what Michigan was working with -- mostly youth and old inexperience other than Roh -- the Wolverines held up well here.
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Michigan DE Clark out with injury
October, 27, 2012
10/27/12
7:17
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By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Michigan sophomore defensive end Frank Clark will miss Saturday’s game against Nebraska with an ankle injury.
ESPN reporter Joe Schad initially reported Clark’s absence, which was then confirmed by Michigan’s dress list.
Clark has shared time with Brennen Beyer and Mario Ojemudia at Michigan’s rush end spot. He had 11 tackles this season, including three tackles for loss and three pass breakups.
ESPN reporter Joe Schad initially reported Clark’s absence, which was then confirmed by Michigan’s dress list.
Clark has shared time with Brennen Beyer and Mario Ojemudia at Michigan’s rush end spot. He had 11 tackles this season, including three tackles for loss and three pass breakups.
Freshman Ojemudia pushes for more snaps
October, 16, 2012
10/16/12
3:34
PM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
Michigan had a shift at its rush end spot on Saturday where sophomore Brennen Beyer and freshman Mario Ojemudia appeared to receive more playing time than sophomore Frank Clark, who had taken the starting job when Beyer injured his knee.
Clark had played well, appearing to be in the opposing backfield often when he was on the field. Now, though, he has fallen back into a three-man rotation at the position.
“It goes by who has the best week of practice and who has throughout practice been accountable for their position,” defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said. “Not that Frank wasn’t but Brennen Beyer did some things very well in practice on the run and therefore we wanted him to go in that role.
“Then we tweaked our sub package to try and move guys around a little bit and get more speed on the field. It had nothing to do with Frank not doing well. It’s just that there’s three pretty good football players there and we’re rotating all three of them.”
Initially, it figured Beyer and Clark would split reps there this season, but Ojemudia has pushed both for snaps consistently since he arrived on campus this summer. In doing so, he has turned into one of the freshmen who has seen the most playing time.
“For a young guy, he’s a very good technician,” Mattison said. “He’s obviously had very good coaching in high school and does very well with his hands. He’s good with his footwork and is a very intelligent young man.
“He plays very fast and it’s a good example of a young man who understands the defense now that it’s been the same defense for five, six weeks.”
As a position group, they’ve been productive, combining for 24 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Ojemudia has done the majority of that work, making 10 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss along with the sack and fumble recovery at the position.
Clark had played well, appearing to be in the opposing backfield often when he was on the field. Now, though, he has fallen back into a three-man rotation at the position.
[+] Enlarge
Lon Horwedel/Icon SMIMario Ojemudia has 10 tackles and a sack as a freshman.
“Then we tweaked our sub package to try and move guys around a little bit and get more speed on the field. It had nothing to do with Frank not doing well. It’s just that there’s three pretty good football players there and we’re rotating all three of them.”
Initially, it figured Beyer and Clark would split reps there this season, but Ojemudia has pushed both for snaps consistently since he arrived on campus this summer. In doing so, he has turned into one of the freshmen who has seen the most playing time.
“For a young guy, he’s a very good technician,” Mattison said. “He’s obviously had very good coaching in high school and does very well with his hands. He’s good with his footwork and is a very intelligent young man.
“He plays very fast and it’s a good example of a young man who understands the defense now that it’s been the same defense for five, six weeks.”
As a position group, they’ve been productive, combining for 24 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Ojemudia has done the majority of that work, making 10 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss along with the sack and fumble recovery at the position.
ARLINGTON, Texas -- All fall, fifth-year senior Elliott Mealer said he was competing to win the job at left guard. But even then, there were hints of something else in his future.
On Saturday in the season opener, in the first start of his career, Mealer played not at left guard, but as Michigan’s starting center.
Ricky Barnum, thought to be Michigan’s starting center, ended up playing left guard.
“They had been both playing a lot of center, a lot of guard,” Michigan coach Brady Hoke said. “Just felt some of the shotgun stuff with Elliott was a little better.”
Both ended up being integral parts of the offensive line.
Also, Michigan showed how it would adjust due to injury after left tackle Taylor Lewan left the game in the fourth quarter. If Lewan misses any time, right tackle Michael Schofield will move to left tackle, right guard Patrick Omameh will move to right tackle and Joey Burzynski will come in at right guard.
Injury concerns: Michigan saw two of its best players leave Saturday’s game due to injury, cornerback Blake Countess and Lewan.
Lewan, who was injured in the fourth quarter with the game no longer in doubt, could barely walk to the locker room after the game, limping badly on his right leg and eventually needing help from a staffer to reach the locker room.
Countess was injured on punt coverage in the first quarter and was seen after the game leaving the field on crutches.
Michigan coach Brady Hoke had no update on either player after the game.
Freshmen in action: The Wolverines knew they were going to use a lot of first-year players against Alabama. Depth and the overall talent level of the class they recruited necessitated it.
But if Saturday is any indication, expect to see a large youth movement at Michigan this season. At least 10 freshmen received some playing time -- linebackers Royce Jenkins-Stone, James Ross III and Joe Bolden, defensive linemen Mario Ojemudia and Ondre Pipkins, safety Jarrod Wilson, cornerback Terry Richardson, tight end A.J. Williams and running back Dennis Norfleet.
Of the 10, Norfleet and Ross III had the most significant roles. Ross III played often during base defensive packages for Michigan and made two assisted tackles. Norfleet was one of the bright spots for the Wolverines, gaining 177 yards on eight kick returns.
This and that: Josh Furman, who was named a starting kick returner on Monday and is a special teams standout for the Wolverines, did not make the trip to Arlington. When asked for a reason, Hoke just said, “He didn’t make the trip.” ... Michigan had two honorary captains for the game, former wide receiver Desmond Howard and former coach Gary Moeller. ... Michigan also had Russell Bellomy, not Devin Gardner, as its primary backup quarterback. Gardner, however, started at wide receiver.
On Saturday in the season opener, in the first start of his career, Mealer played not at left guard, but as Michigan’s starting center.
[+] Enlarge
Leon Halip/Getty ImagesRicky Barnum, trying to help Denard Robinson, istarted at left guard instead of center.
“They had been both playing a lot of center, a lot of guard,” Michigan coach Brady Hoke said. “Just felt some of the shotgun stuff with Elliott was a little better.”
Both ended up being integral parts of the offensive line.
Also, Michigan showed how it would adjust due to injury after left tackle Taylor Lewan left the game in the fourth quarter. If Lewan misses any time, right tackle Michael Schofield will move to left tackle, right guard Patrick Omameh will move to right tackle and Joey Burzynski will come in at right guard.
Injury concerns: Michigan saw two of its best players leave Saturday’s game due to injury, cornerback Blake Countess and Lewan.
Lewan, who was injured in the fourth quarter with the game no longer in doubt, could barely walk to the locker room after the game, limping badly on his right leg and eventually needing help from a staffer to reach the locker room.
Countess was injured on punt coverage in the first quarter and was seen after the game leaving the field on crutches.
Michigan coach Brady Hoke had no update on either player after the game.
Freshmen in action: The Wolverines knew they were going to use a lot of first-year players against Alabama. Depth and the overall talent level of the class they recruited necessitated it.
But if Saturday is any indication, expect to see a large youth movement at Michigan this season. At least 10 freshmen received some playing time -- linebackers Royce Jenkins-Stone, James Ross III and Joe Bolden, defensive linemen Mario Ojemudia and Ondre Pipkins, safety Jarrod Wilson, cornerback Terry Richardson, tight end A.J. Williams and running back Dennis Norfleet.
Of the 10, Norfleet and Ross III had the most significant roles. Ross III played often during base defensive packages for Michigan and made two assisted tackles. Norfleet was one of the bright spots for the Wolverines, gaining 177 yards on eight kick returns.
This and that: Josh Furman, who was named a starting kick returner on Monday and is a special teams standout for the Wolverines, did not make the trip to Arlington. When asked for a reason, Hoke just said, “He didn’t make the trip.” ... Michigan had two honorary captains for the game, former wide receiver Desmond Howard and former coach Gary Moeller. ... Michigan also had Russell Bellomy, not Devin Gardner, as its primary backup quarterback. Gardner, however, started at wide receiver.
Notebook: Gardner gets reps at QB, WR
August, 7, 2012
8/07/12
12:00
PM ET
By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
One of the biggest questions on the docket for Michigan football fans is: How exactly will wide receiver/quarterback Devin Gardner be used?
On Monday, Michigan coach Brady Hoke said Gardner would take snaps at both positions and work with both groups, though Hoke hasn't decided exactly how Gardner will split reps through the season.
But according to wide receiver Roy Roundtree, Gardner hasn't wasted time impressing at the wide receiver position at Michigan's fall camp.
"He can throw that thing and he can go for the ball, too, because of his height," Roundtree said. "I feel like he's prepared and been working through that throughout the summer."
On Monday, Michigan coach Brady Hoke said Gardner would take snaps at both positions and work with both groups, though Hoke hasn't decided exactly how Gardner will split reps through the season.
But according to wide receiver Roy Roundtree, Gardner hasn't wasted time impressing at the wide receiver position at Michigan's fall camp.
"He can throw that thing and he can go for the ball, too, because of his height," Roundtree said. "I feel like he's prepared and been working through that throughout the summer."
Entrance Interview: Mario Ojemudia
June, 12, 2012
6/12/12
8:26
AM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
Entrance Interview is a series at WolverineNation -- similar to our Exit Interview series -- where we chat with incoming Michigan football and men's basketball players about their thoughts as they start college, what their expectations are, and what they'll miss most about high school.
LIVONIA, Mich. -- Mario Ojemudia (Farmington Hills, Mich./Harrison) was the fourth member of this year's football recruiting class to enroll in college, having entered during the first spring session of the year in an attempt to have a head start in his classes and his strength and conditioning training.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound defensive end may play at some point this season, but WolverineNation caught up with him in late April, the week before he enrolled in school, to chat about what he felt his future might hold.
LIVONIA, Mich. -- Mario Ojemudia (Farmington Hills, Mich./Harrison) was the fourth member of this year's football recruiting class to enroll in college, having entered during the first spring session of the year in an attempt to have a head start in his classes and his strength and conditioning training.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound defensive end may play at some point this season, but WolverineNation caught up with him in late April, the week before he enrolled in school, to chat about what he felt his future might hold.
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Summer is a time for student-athletes to recharge and prepare for their next season. But for fans, it's a solid few months where their questions pile up and turn to torment if they can’t be answered.
Well, good thing we're here with the Wednesday mailbag.
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WolverineNation runs a recruiting mailbag feature every week and conducts a live chat in the weeks when the mailbag doesn't run.
Here's a look at this week's questions from the readers:
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Michigan's 2013 defensive line options
March, 7, 2012
3/07/12
12:23
PM ET
By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
Michigan has already picked up five commits on its offensive line for the 2013 class. But so far, the Wolverines have only one defensive line commit, Taco Charlton.
The Wolverines' 2012 defensive line class is impressive and includes four-stars Ondre Pipkins, Chris Wormley and Mario Ojemudia, and three-stars Matt Godin, Tom Strobel and Willie Henry.
Here is an in-depth look at each 2013 defensive lineman the Wolverines have offered so far:
The Wolverines' 2012 defensive line class is impressive and includes four-stars Ondre Pipkins, Chris Wormley and Mario Ojemudia, and three-stars Matt Godin, Tom Strobel and Willie Henry.
Here is an in-depth look at each 2013 defensive lineman the Wolverines have offered so far:
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ABOUT WOLVERINE NATION
Michael Rothstein
Michael Rothstein joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for AnnArbor.com, Notre Dame for the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Journal Gazette and a host of colleges for the Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg, Va.). A Syracuse graduate and an East Meadow, N.Y., native, he lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. He can be reached at michaelrothsteinespn@gmail.com.
Tom VanHaaren
Tom VanHaaren joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for three years at MGoBlog.com. VanHaaren and his wife currently reside in Royal Oak, Mich. He can be reached at TomVHESPN@gmail.com.
Chantel Jennings
Chantel Jennings joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering University of Michigan athletics for three years at The Michigan Daily. Chantel graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in English and Spanish and lives in Ann Arbor. She can be reached at jenningsespn@gmail.com.