Former Tigers soccer player Mo Isom grabbed national headlines while she tried out for a spot as the football team’s kicker, but now the spotlight can dissipate.
Miles said Tuesday that Isom did not make the team, as the four kickers on the squad right now would be ahead of anyone else who tried out, including the former goalkeeper.
Miles said he was not comfortable putting Isom in a situation where she had to make tackles or with the style of kick she brought to the table, but he would allow her to try out again in August.
“Wonderful meeting w/ Coach Miles,” Isom tweeted Tuesday afternoon. “Received great constructive criticism. Will continue working my hardest w/ the team thru Spring&Summer &… see where I stand in August. There is still much to this journey & I will not give up on my dream.”
Miles works with linemen, Collins
Miles said the starting left guard position is competitive as sophomore La’el Collins contends with senior Josh Dworaczyk, who’s recovering from last season’s campaign-ending knee injury.
Miles, a former offensive lineman at Michigan, worked extensively with Collins during spring practice Tuesday, giving him tips on hand placement and disengagement timing.
“I kind of gravitate to those guys,” Miles said. “I think the receivers and the running backs don’t need me, and there’s always a technique the old coach can throw in there and provide some instruction.”
Collins practiced with the starters during drills and Dworaczyk backed him up, and Miles said the senior is “preparing” the young lineman by taking second team snaps. Dworaczyk was also wearing a white jersey – which allows contact – for the first time since the spring’s inaugural practice.
Receivers, Mettenberger develop chemistry
A throw got away from junior signal-caller Zach Mettenberger as the wide receivers caught fade routes from the quarterbacks, but senior receiver Russell Shepard adjusted to make a nice one-handed snag.
Mettenberger and Shepard take the first repetitions together on each new route in practice, but Miles said the new starting QB is endearing himself to all of the receivers.
“There’s chemistry between Zach and a lot of guys,” Miles said. “They like him. He’s certainly working to get them the ball and doing the right thing.”
 
____ Contact Alex Cassara at [email protected]