Michigan Football: 5 Most Important Post-Spring Dates

Now that spring football is over, it's hard to find many important events leading up to the start of the season.

However, there are a handful of events that may not be exciting to the fans, but certainly are very important to the players and the success of this Michigan Wolverines football team.

Here's a look at five events/activities that will be very important to the players this summer.

Incoming Freshmen Arrive on Campus (Late June)

When the 22 incoming freshmen arrive on campus in late June, their Michigan careers will slowly start to become a reality.

Early enrollees Joe Bolden, Kaleb Ringer and Jarrod Wilson have already experienced this, but there are plenty of other high-profile names to keep an eye on.

The phenomenal offensive line group of Kyle Kalis, Erik Magnuson, Blake Bars and Ben Braden will officially be a part of this program for the first time.

Some great D-linemen will also be arriving on campus in Ondre Pipkins, Tom Strobel and Chris Wormley.

Early enrolles Ringer and Bolden will also be joined at linebacker by fellow freshman James Ross and Royce Jenkins-Stone.

Keep an eye on these guys, along with the rest of the other incoming freshmen.

Summer Workouts (All Summer Long)

Summer workouts and training routines are crucial to players staying in shape. If a player slacks off or doesn't take it seriously, it will be noticed by the coaching staff come fall.

Because of the absurdity of the NCAA, I don't think the coaches themselves will be allowed to spend much time (if any) working with the players.

This is when it becomes the players' responsibility to make sure everyone is doing their part.

Team Meetings (All Summer Long)

Again, since the coaches won't be spending a whole lot of time with the players this summer, it is up to the players themselves to keep everyone in line.

This is when we find out who the leaders are on this team.

Obviously the seniors will have the main say in this, but it is also great to see young players emerge and take responsibility as well.

These responsibilities can include organizing team meetings and workouts, adopting a good diet and staying in shape and keeping an eye on teammates, making sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to be.

It will be interesting to see which players step up the most.

First Fall Practice (Early August)

The reality that the season is near will really set in for both the fans and the players once fall practice begins.

It will be a great time to see who is ready to step up for 2012, and who the true leaders of Team 133 are.

The freshmen better be ready to play physical, because Brady Hoke and the rest of the coaching staff won't accept anything less.

First Game (Sept. 1)

The reality will truly set in for these players once they board the plane that will take them to Dallas for the opener.

The pressure will be extra high for this year's opener, as the whole nation will be watching in what will likely be a prime-time affair.

College GameDay will also likely be on hand, as this game will be the talk of the college football world for the last few weeks leading up to the season.