Michigan might ask freshman Matt Wile to do it all

Michigan might ask freshman Matt Wile to do it all

Published Aug. 24, 2011 5:34 a.m. ET

Michigan might ask freshman Matt Wile to do it all, giving him an opportunity to punt, kick field goals and kick off.

Wile hopes he gets a chance.

''If I get the opportunity, I'd love the chance to show what I can do,'' he said.

Wile probably will get a shot to show 110,000-plus at the Big House his talents in at least one phase of the kicking game in the season opener Sept. 3 against Western Michigan.

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Wolverines coach Brady Hoke said Tuesday that Wile is the leading candidate to kick off and is among the top two candidates in both punting (along with Seth Broekhuizen) and kicking field goals (with Brendan Gibbons).

''We're going to kick up there (at Michigan Stadium) on Friday and Saturday,'' Hoke said. ''By Sunday, we'll pretty much have our ducks lined up how we want it.''

Hoke said Gibbons, signed to a scholarship by former coach Rich Rodriguez, is probably kicking the best overall, adding that Wile kicks well from long distances.

''Matt is a good weapon,'' Hoke said.

Wile was recruited out of San Diego to handle kicking duties, but might be pushed into punting for the first four games because Hagerup has been suspended for violating unspecified team rules.

While reporters had access to practice on Tuesday, Wile punted alongside Hagerup under the watchful eye of Hoke. At the other end of the field, Gibbons and Broekhuizen kicked field goals.

''We chart everything they do,'' Hoke said.

Wile's father, Dr. Peter Wile, handled medical charts for San Diego State's football team - which used to be led by Hoke - until his son got a scholarship at his alma mater. He retired from his role with the Aztecs to take Fridays off from his private practice to travel to Ann Arbor to watch his son kick.

''I came to one of the Michigan games (in 2004) when I went with the Aztecs,'' Matt Wile said. ''That was actually when I was able to kick in the Big House when I was young.''

When he does it the next time with fans in the stands, the stakes will be much higher.

''All I usually do is, right before the snap, take a deep breath and that lowers my heart beat,'' Wile said. ''Once the snap comes, I usually don't remember what happens.''

Everyone will know what happens if Wile gets a chance to kick field goals this season.

The Wolverines missed 10 of 14 field-goal attempts last season in Rodriguez's third and final season.

Wile calls himself a fifth-generation Michigan man, saying his father, grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather attended or taught at Michigan's Medical School.

''It's kind of a tradition,'' he said.

Michigan, though, wasn't interested in Wile until Hoke was hired.

Nebraska, Washington, Air Force and San Diego State recruited Wile when he was kicking field goals, punting and kicking in high school.

''Luckily when Hoke got the job here, he knew me from San Diego State,'' he said. ''That's how I got into Michigan.''

NOTES: Hoke said if there was a game Wednesday, RB Michael Shaw would be starting. ... Junior WR Je'Ron Stokes, who had three career receptions, and freshman OL Tony Posada have left the football program.

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