What I did on my summer vacation: Kevin Koger

8/30/2007
BLADE STAFF
Kevin Koger
Kevin Koger

WHAT HE DID: The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Koger a tight end and All-Ohio defensive end as a junior in 2006 kicked off his summer in early June with the first of six 7-on-7 passing tournaments. He attended the Ohio State University camp on June 22, and then the University of Michigan camp eight days later. He took part in five instructional camps at Whitmer, lifted weights every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 to 10 a.m., followed by running for conditioning. He participated in open gym for basketball every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 2 p.m. On July 10 he made an official visit to Ohio State. On July 12 he made his official visit to Michigan.

HOW IT HELPED: I felt the training during the summer helped me in two-a-days [for football], because I didn t get tired as easy and the hits didn t hurt as much, Koger said. It helped me to get faster and improve my football skills. Some of [the improvement] also came with age. The more you play the more you learn. The weight training aspect has helped me with my overall strength and speed, so I can excel on the field more. It all helped me stay in shape. Most people don t even do anything over the summer. But I stayed busy, me and my friends. So, when we came out here, [for 2007 football practice] it wasn t so hard. We were already in shape. Also, it keeps you out of trouble, so you re not out doing something you shouldn t be doing. Koger said the biggest learning tool he picked up at the OSU camp was a route-running strategy known as stemming for receivers. It has to do with double moves, Koger said. You get on top of [defensive backs] and then make your move. They have a hard time with that. At Michigan, they helped me a lot on my blocking and running my post route. He also improved his agility in the gym. It s all about feet and hips out here, he said. Basketball helped me a lot with my footwork, getting off the line and getting my block. I d say I m about 20 or 30 percent better [as a football player]. I can tell a big difference from how I trained last summer.

OUTLOOK: In late July, Koger verbally committed to Michigan. The Wolverines more frequent use of the tight end [his position] in their offense was a deciding factor.