Michigan junior wide receiver David Terrell had a nice sense of timing last season, when he had the national stage to himself in the Orange Bowl.

He was a one-man comeback in UM's 35-34 win over Alabama. He set personal bests with 10 receptions for 150 yards and three touchdowns, earning game MVP honors.

He caught touchdown passes of 27 and 57 yards to help erase a 14-0 deficit. Later, with the Wolverines down 28-14, he caught five passes for 57 yards, including a 20-yarder for a touchdown.

"I knew I had it in me," Terrell said.

What he seems to have in him is the kind of stuff that Charles Woodson had ... but from the other side. Woodson won the 1997 Heisman Trophy player as primarily a cornerback who also played some receiver and returned kicks.

Terrell is more of a wide receiver, who also plays some cornerback and returns kicks.

"David is a tremendous athlete," UM defensive backs coach Teryl Austin said. "He's fast, he runs extremely well and he reacts well. He's everything you look for in a defensive back."

Terrell saw spot duty at defensive back last season, except against Purdue, when he played more cornerback than wide receiver and helped shut down the Boilermakers' explosive passing game.

Terrell probably will get less action on defense this season because the Wolverines are deeper in the secondary. That will give him the opportunity to concentrate on receiving and on special teams, where he is likely to return punts.

UM offensive coaches will do everything they can to get him the ball.

"You want to give him the ball as much as you can," UM junior quarterback Drew Henson said. "But we have so much talent that I don't have to force it.

"He'll be the first to say he's a Heisman candidate, but that's his personality," Henson said. "He might say something stupid and make you mad, but you can't help but like him.

"What I respect most is that he had a hard life growing up, but got through that. What he's done on the field is a testament to his drive and motivation."

Which bodes well for the UM offense.

"I just want to get a national championship," Terrell said. "If you work hard, anything can happen."

That includes winning the Heisman ... from the opposite approach that Woodson took.

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