ANN ARBOR -- One of the more anticipated returns for Michigan in 2013 was redshirt sophomore cornerback Blake Countess.
A starter as a true freshman in 2011, Countess returned Saturday against Central Michigan after missing virtually the entire 2012 campaign with an ACL tear.
But part of Countess' comeback also featured a rather impressive debut. That of freshman corner Channing Stribling.
The 6-foot-2, 171-pound Stribling saw plenty of time Saturday early and often, especially in Michigan's nickel package situations -- with the rookie playing on the outside and the more experienced Countess moved inside.
"He made some plays, he has the athleticism to be able to make plays," Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said Tuesday. "Sometimes corners, or defensive backs do all the right things, but can't make a play. You saw him make plays."
Stribling made more than just a few plays. He finished with five tackles, tied for second most on the team, and forced a fumble in the second half.
A little-known recruit, Stribling was able to make waves during Michigan's fall camp last month due in large part to the training he received in high school.
The freshman corner prepped at Butler High School in Matthews, North Carolina -- a club that not only won a state title last season, but also finished ranked No. 3 nationally. It's the same school that also produced former Michigan All-Big Ten defensive back Jamar Adams.
He was one of four high-level Division I prospects at Butler last season, and like Countess (who prepped at Good Counsel High School in Olney, Md.), he was around top-tier talent throughout his prep career.
"Channing was my roommate throughout camp, I've been with him day-to-day throughout camp," Countess said. "He's a guy who works hard, he's confident in his game and he listens.
"That's the biggest thing as a freshman. You listen. A lot of freshmen aren't used to being consistently critiqued. And when you get someone like (Stribling) that listens, we talked every night, and I've tried to work with him. And he has that confidence that you need at corner."
Stribling's confidence and his high school background helped him get on the field early this season, but his production is what will keep him there.
At 6-foot-2, he's the tallest corner Michigan trotted out onto the field Saturday. And, he has Countess in his corner -- a versatile defensive back who knows what it takes to play as a freshman, and a player who's willing to do what it takes to make the defense better.
"When you have a guy who's athletic like Blake that can cover slot receivers, I think that's part of it," Michigan coach Brady Hoke said of the decision to play both on the field together, with Raymon Taylor at the opposite corner. "The other part, I think Strib and (fellow freshman) Jourdan Lewis both have had pretty good fall camps. They both battle, and they're competitive.
"Strib's 6-2 and he's long and he's got long arms, and he's got a lot of leverage. ... We think he's a pretty good football player. ”
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