Luiji Vilain
On WolverinesWire and the Locked On Wolverines Podcast, we predicted that third-year defensive end Luiji Vilain would have a big year after being sidelined with injuries his first two seasons in Ann Arbor.
It hasn’t quite panned out that way, but as the season has progressed, we’ve seen Vilain more and more. He had a couple big plays against Notre Dame, including a sack-induced forced fumble and while he wasn’t credited with a QB hurry against MSU, he burst through the line and forced Brian Lewerke to scramble to the sideline to avoid a sack.
So, in Nua’s eyes, how has Vilain progressed since he got him as a player in the D-line room? What has he told him about what he needs to see from him and where he can go from here?
“Just gotta play tough,” Nua said. “That was the truth we told him, just gotta play tougher. We do a lot of different stunts and movements, and sometimes he ends up in the A-gap. I love that kid, because he’s battled a lot of injuries and he’s doing a great job of accepting his role and fixing what you teach him. That’s why his role is increasing as well.”