UM star Robinson eager to show leadership skills

ANN ARBOR -- Add another line to Denard Robinson's extensive resume: Captain.

Earlier this week, Michigan announced its players had voted Robinson and Jordan Kovacs as this year's captains. For Robinson, having the opportunity to be a leader isn't as much an honor as it is a responsibility. He believes he has to set his own example.

"It's a dream come true, to be a captain," Robinson said. "It's a great football team that we have here, and it's an honor to be behind some of the guys who came before us. I've got to make the most of it. My teammates picked me, and now I've got to live up to it."

Robinson's resume on the field speaks for itself. Among all-time Michigan quarterbacks, Robinson is seventh in total passing yards (4,931), sixth in touchdowns (40), and eighth in completions (338). Among all-time Big Ten quarterbacks, he's second in career rushing (3,229 yards) behind Indiana's Antwaan Randle-El, who set the record of 3,895 in 2001. Among NCAA quarterbacks, Robinson is 13th in career rushing yards; West Virginia's Pat White set the record of 4,480 yards in 2008.

Robinson and Kovacs will succeed 2011 captains Mike Martin, David Molk, and Kevin Koger. Martin and Molk are now rookies with the Tennessee Titans and San Diego Chargers, respectively, while Koger, a Whitmer graduate, is coaching football at Saline (Mich.) High School.

READ MORE from Rachel at the In The House blog.

When Robinson considers what he can contribute this season off the field, Robinson looks at the qualities of some of the Michigan captains who preceded him. They weren't judged solely on their playing contributions. Each one was judged on the example they set for other players, how they conducted themselves on and off the field, and what they contributed to the team dynamic.

What will Robinson bring to the table as a captain?

"I want to get better at everything, to be honest with you," Robinson said. "Being accountable, making sure [teammates] know that they can trust me, and just being whatever they want. Those are my brothers, so I know I'd do whatever for them. Whatever it takes."

Taylor Lewan, an offensive lineman, says Robinson's strength rests in the fact that he does the things that most college football fans don't get to see outside of the televised Saturdays that Robinson and the Wolverines spend on the football field.

"You guys watch Denard every Saturday, and what he does on the field is unmatched," Lewan said. "His leadership qualities, since our freshman year, they've come through the roof.

"Setting an example for the team, doing all the right things. Never being on lists. Always being in class and on time. When class checks happen, they're always in class. It's the little things you've got to do to be the leaders that they are."

Lewan didn't have to be asked about how he cast his votes for captaincy.

"They had my vote," Lewan said of Robinson and Kovacs.

WORMLEY UPDATE: Michigan coach Brady Hoke confirmed that Whitmer graduate Chris Wormley underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL. Wormley suffered the injury to his right knee on Aug. 14.

WALK-ONS REWARDED: Hoke announced Wednesday that seven walk-ons have received scholarships: fullback Paul Gyarmati, tight end Mike Kwiatkowski, wide receiver Steve Wilson, receiver Joe Reynolds, defensive lineman Nathan Brink, longsnapper Jareth Glanda, and offensive lineman Joey Burzynski.

NO DECISION: Hoke said he has not made a decision as far as the availability of running back Fitzgerald Toussaint and defensive lineman Frank Clark against Alabama.

"You can ask me when I'm going to make that decision, and it will probably be before the game," Hoke said.

Hoke also clarified the status of Clark and Toussaint.

"They would be practicing, and maybe not playing," Hoke said. "They've been practicing. Usually, if you're suspended, I don't let you practice.

Contact Rachel Lenzi at: rlenzi@theblade.com, 419-724-6510 or on Twitter @RLenziBlade.