Michigan Football: Five Back-Ups Who Have Stepped Up in 2011

These are the players who do the heavy work. They toil each day at practice, hoping that someday they'll earn some playing time.

They work their way up the depth chart, but it will most likely take an injury or a miscue to get their name called.

Yes, these are the back-ups, who when the time is right,  finally get a chance to shine.

Here are a few Wolverines who have done just that. 

Blake Countess, Freshman, CB, 5'10

During the summer, one of the major concerns was the health of cornerbacks J.T. Floyd and Troy Woolfolk. Just before training camp, both were pronounced fit, so the rotation of Floyd, Woolfolk, Courtney Avery and Tony Anderson was intact.

The trio of freshmen, Gregg Brown, Raymon Taylor and Blake Countess would have to struggle for playing time.

When Woolfolk and Floyd were both sidelined late in the San Diego victory, Blake Countess found himself on center stage. Or they say about cornerbacks, "on an island."

Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison  was quick to observe. "All I know is that when he’s gone in there, he’s played without a conscience. And I think when you’re a corner you have to play that way. You’re out there in front of 110,000 people, and everybody knows if you don’t do something right."

In the last two games, Countess has accumulated some very good stats.  Against the Aztecs, he had seven tackles and against Minnesota he broke up two passes and forced a fumble.   

"Blake is a young guy, a talented young guy," head coach Brady Hoke added. "He's done a good job. He has great pride in performance. He gets himself ready to play." 

Brandin Hawthorne, Junior, WLB, 6'0

It's taken Brandin Hawthorne three seasons to get his second tackle and first quarterback sack. The junior weakside linebacker  rarely left the bench during his freshman and sophomore years. 

After missing the season opener due to an ankle injury, Hawthorne received his first real opportunity against Notre Dame. A leg injury sidelined Brendon Herron, and true freshman Desmond Morgan earned the start.  

But Hawthorne made the most of the substitute role, the big play coming early in the fourth quarter. On a key third down play,  Hawthorne dumped Irish running back Cierre Wood for a 3-yard loss, forcing Notre Dame to punt.

Hawthorne finished the night with six tackles, then made 10 against Eastern Michigan as the starter.

Look for a battle for the starting spot as Herron recovers.    

Brandon Herron, RS Senior, Linebacker, 6'2, 221 Lbs.

Brandon Herron battled three long seasons before earning his first start.

In the 2011 season opener, all he did was turn a pair of Western Michigan miscues into Wolverine touchdowns. In the second quarter, Herron grabbed a deflected pass and rambled 94 yards for a score. In the third quarter, Herron scooped up a Bronco fumble and raced 29 yards for another.

In addition to the touchdowns, Herron also finished the day with eight tackles. His efforts were rewarded by being named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week.

A leg injury forced him to miss the next three games, and he could only get in a few plays on special teams against Minnesota.      

Drew Dileo, Sophomore, WR, H, PR, 5'10

Drew Dileo came to Michigan as a kid who could play almost anywhere. But at 5'10", 172 pounds, he hardly impressed anyone. 

Before you knew it, Dileo was everywhere his freshman year. He returned kicks, punts and was even the holder. But he only caught one pass, so no one thought much of him as a candidate for wide receiver.

Things have changed in 2011. Dileo 's had another shot at punt returns and is still the team's holder. He's also catching passes. That was him grabbing the halfback pass from Vincent Smith last Saturday. He now has five catches and a pair of touchdowns.

Jibreel Black, Sophomore, DE, 6'2

Jibreel Black played sparingly as a freshman defensive end in 2010. He's basically in the same role this season, playing behind Craig Roh.

Black may have had his best game against Minnesota Saturday, recording three tackles and his first career sack.

A 4-star recruit (Scout.com) from Cincinnati, Black may continue to eat into Roh's playing time. It's no secret that Roh has struggled at times, especially early in the season. "Craig is another guy that, all of a sudden, he sees the bar is higher than he expected it to be," defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said recently. "What he thinks sometimes—and this is for everybody, not just Craig—what he thinks is acceptable is just not. He's bought in and is going to be an outstanding football player."

For Black, all that means is that his bar is higher, too.