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Posted on Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 2:43 p.m.

Michigan football searches for special-teams solutions

By Michael Rothstein

CHICAGO - Michigan knows it has some big holes to fill at key positions this fall after its best defensive lineman, two running backs and a standout cornerback all departed.

Nowhere, though, are there more questions than on special teams. The Wolverines must replace punter Zoltan Mesko, now with the New England Patriots, as well as kicker Jason Olesnavage.

How will they do so?

The topic elicited an audible “Guh,” from third-year Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez this week. He labeled the kicking situation his biggest concern entering the preseason.

Brendan-Gibbons-080410.jpg

U-M kicker Brendan Gibbons

File photo

“Check back with me in a week,” Rodriguez said.

At punter, the Wolverines expect to rely on true freshman Will Hagerup.

Hagerup will receive the first chance to win the punting position when preseason camp opens Monday. He’ll also get a chance to win the kickoff job. The only place Hagerup won’t compete, Rodriguez said, is at field-goal kicker.

“He did both in high school and we’ll give him a few reps to see what he can do,” Rodriguez said. “He’s got a very, very strong leg. He’s an outstanding athlete.”

Redshirt freshman Brendan Gibbons and walk-on redshirt freshman Seth Broekhuizen will get the first opportunities to compete for the kicker job, although Rodriguez said once school starts and freshman walk-ons arrive, there are other candidates.

Whoever the kicker is, he’ll have an experienced set-up team working with him. Tom Pomarico returns to be the long snapper for the second straight year and Rodriguez said safety Jared Van Slyke could be the holder.

One thing Rodriguez didn’t rule out was searching the student body for a kicker.

“It really depends on what happens in August and the returning kickers, the walk-ons we have coming back when school starts in August,” Rodriguez said. “If we’re still uncomfortable then, then we’ll have another tryout.”

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.

Comments

Jimmy

Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 12:45 p.m.

Long time reader, first time poster. Welcome aboaurd, Michael. Question: If Hagerup's so good, why won't RR let him compete for the field goal job? Too much for a true FR to handle, or is he just not that great at it? If RR is seriously talking about having open tryouts for the UM student body (who don't even get on campus until AFTER the first game!), it seems to me Hagerup should get a shot. He can't be a whole lot worse than what I witnessed in the spring scrimmage. It would be a shame if we lose a game pr two because of a missed XP or FG.

NoBowl4Blue

Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 5:28 a.m.

Michigan needs a good punter since they will be doing it more often AGAIN

aarox

Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 7:49 p.m.

or 8

maizenbluedoc

Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 3:41 p.m.

RR should know by now that he cannot depend upon the 'student body' as a place to recruit players. Kicking is one of the most important aspects of the game and shouldn't be relegated to walk-on players. Withoug a decent PAT and FG kicker, expect to lose many close games.

Jaxon Boyfriend

Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 3:06 p.m.

I like this kid Hagerup, he could really handle all kicking needs, but lets face it Michigan Personnel; whom ever we through out there is gonna be great, and Michigan will win-win-win....