By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

One could say Andy Mignery took the road less traveled to a starting role Saturday in Michigan's showdown with Ohio State, and that wouldn't just be his switch from quarterback to tight end.

His is an athletic life richer than hardly any 23-year-old's. From playing for Hamilton's team in the 1993 Little League World Series, to playing for his father on Hamilton High's 10-0 team in 1999, to starring in track (third in the state in discus) and basketball (three-year starter), to manning four different positions over five years at Michigan.

"Things are going really well for me," Mignery said. "I've gotten to do so much, and right now I'm focusing on this week and how fortunate I am to play in a game like this."

Mignery is one of three Greater Cincinnatians on the Wolverines' roster. Andy Christopfel (Elder) is a redshirt junior offensive lineman; he has appeared in two games as backup center and seven overall on the field-goal unit. Brandent Englemon (Holmes) is a first-year defensive back who's being redshirted.

The 6-foot-3, 256-pound Mignery has started the past six games. Though mostly a blocker, he has caught four passes for 48 yards and two touchdowns.

In high school, Mignery was named All-American by SuperPrep and was rated the best QB in the Midwest by National Recruiting Advisor. Yet he came to Michigan in the same class as John Navarre, who beat him out for the backup QB job (behind Drew Henson) after he and Mignery redshirted their first year.

Navarre took over after Henson left, and other touted QB prospects arrived to compete for time.

"I was the head signal-caller on the sidelines, which was an important job, but I wasn't on the field," Mignery said.

So for 2002 spring practice, he switched to tight end and added 25 pounds to reach his current size. He played in 12 games last year as a junior, making two starts and catching one pass, before increasing his role in his final season.

"You change your mindset, from where you're taking hits as a quarterback to now dishing them out," he said.

"I never looked back, and I'm having fun. I'm out on the field with all my buddies - the other fifth-year seniors. I'm really glad I'm a part of it."

Mignery is also the backup long snapper and has been a backup punter. In the 2003 Outback Bowl, his only career punt - a 46-yarder - rolled out of bounds at the Florida 2.

Studying kinesiology, Mignery has a 3.3 GPA and is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He still has hopes to play professionally.

His father, Ed, retired as Hamilton's coach after the 2001 season and has attended every one of Andy's games since.

"He loves going," Andy said. "I'm tickled to death he gets to see me."

OSU's Sander honored

Ohio State punter B.J. Sander has been named Big Ten special teams co-player of the week. The fifth-year senior from Roger Bacon High School punted 10 times Saturday for a 41.3-yard average, including seven punts downed inside the Purdue 20.

For the season, Sander averages 42.9 yards per punt, and the Buckeyes' net punting average of 41.0 yards ranks No. 4 nationally.

No. 4 OSU at No. 5 Michigan

Kickoff: Noon Saturday.

TV: Channel 9.

Radio: WBOB-AM (1160).

Series: Michigan leads 56-37-6.

Last year: OSU won 14-9.

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E-mail nschmidt@enquirer.com