After losing their two best players (DE Brandon Graham, CB Donovan Warren) on defense, from a unit that struggled most of the season, it appears this year’s Michigan Wolverines will lean heavily on their offense. And it’s fitting since the man with the most NFL potential on the team is OL Stephen Schilling.
University of Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez announced tonight (Aug. 9) that fifth-year seniors Mark Moundros (Farmington Hills, Mich./North Farmington HS) and Stephen Schilling (Bellevue, Wash./Bellevue HS) have been elected captains of the 2010 football team by a vote of their teammates. Schilling will represent the offense and Moundros was selected as the defensive captain.
Moundros will go both ways in 2010. He practiced at linebacker throughout the spring and is currently the team’s starting fullback.
By Paul M. Banks
“This team chose two worthy seniors to represent this program as captains,” said Rodriguez. “Mark and Stephen are great representatives of the University of Michigan, both as a student and football players. They will work with our other seniors to lead this team throughout the season.”
Schilling has started more games than any other Wolverine, making 36 starts in a possible 37 games. He started at left guard in 2009 after starting at right tackle during his first two seasons.
“There were times last year when we were great, and there were times when we were terrible. It was too up-and-down, it got into people’s heads and got into their emotions. We just need to be a little more consistent,” Schilling said about what the Wolverines need to do in order to take a step up after two very disappointing autumns.
Schilling earned NSCA All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year honors during the 2009-10 academic year. He was 2009 All-Big Ten honorable mention and the co-recipient of the Hugh R. Rader Jr. Award as Michigan’s top offensive lineman. He has started 22 games at right tackle, 12 contests at left guard and two games at right guard.
“I wouldn’t say I’m a perfectionist, but people have called me that. And I get down on myself sometimes if things don’t go right,” Schilling said about his stellar work ethic.
In the long line of “Michigan Men” there’s been quite a few star offensive lineman, and they have inspired Schilling.
“Being at Michigan obviously we have a great history of offensive linemen. Getting to play with Jake (Long, the 2008 NFL Draft #1 Overall pick) and Steve Hutchinson, he was in Seattle when I was in high school in Seattle, a guy looked up to then,” Schilling said.
Written by Paul M. Banks, President and CEO of The Sports Bank.net , a Midwest focused webzine. He is also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, the Chicago Tribune’s blog network, Walter Football.com, the Washington Times Communities, Yardbarker Network, and Fox Sports.com
You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank and @bigtenguru