Michigan Football: Loaded With Talent And Experience, Wolverines Appear Ready To Take Next Step
The Michigan Wolverines are just two weeks away from returning to the field in the Big House to compete in the annual Spring Game on April 1. In the lead-up to the event, several Wolverines recently met with the media to discuss a whole host of topics - including the pursuit of a national championship in 2023.
Mike Barrett - LB, Graduate Student
Christopher Breiler
On transfer linebacker from Nebraska, Ernest Hausmann:
“His natural athletic ability. He’s smart, fast, and can move. How fast he’s learning the defense, coming along with our guys, blending in, meshing together well with everyone. He’s gonna be a great player. I like his enthusiasm, the way he flies around at practice. He always has a smile on his face. He’s going to bring something to this team.”
Junior Colson - LB, Junior
Christopher Breiler
On the defensive mindset during spring ball:
"We're all just excited to learn, we're all excited to get better. We're just trying to learn the defense as if its brand new to us. So you can just tell the excitement that everybody has, the drive and passion that they're playing with."
On the return of fellow linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green:
“It’s phenomenal. It’s phenomenal having him back. He’s a great leader. He’s a great guy to be on the field with, and he just understands and knows how to play football He’s a football player."
“Being able to have him back is a huge addition. Especially at times last year, we needed him to go in the game, especially in certain situations when people were down. I think he brings a lot of depth and a lot of experience and talent to our team.”
Braiden McGregor - EDGE, Senior
Christopher Breiler
On reloading at defensive positions:
"Every year since I've been here, there's been great EDGE guys, great guys on defense. Every year - you see it all over twitter, 'who's going to replace who' - every year I feel like we get better and better as a full defense. We've got guys that are in this program for two years without playing that are learning from those type of caliber guys. Every year those guys are going to keep getting better, and when they get their shot, they're going to show everybody why they came here and why they believe in themselves."
Amorion Walker - DB, Sophomore
On his growth and transition from WR to DB:
“As the days go by, I’m loving the position more and more. As I get better, building that aura around myself, that when I touch the field I feel like a different player stepping in to do what I needed to do.”
“Right now, I’m really relying on a lot of my athleticism. I can clean up my technique — that’s what I really need to do — but I feel like once I really get that down, I’m going to be able to be a complete DB.”
Mike Sainristil - DB, Graduate Student
Christopher Breiler
On why he returned to Michigan for another year:
"I knew that this is where I wanted to be. I wanted to come back, I'm not really worried about the NFL. I want to make sure that I've put into this program as much as I can, definitely want to help my team succeed. For two years now, I know what the taste of being in the playoffs feels like, and I want to make sure I can help this team win a national championship. And, of course, my ultimate decision was that my time here isn't done. There's more things I need to accomplish with my teammates, more things that I want to put on film."
JJ McCarthy - QB, Junior
On his weight gain:
"I was playing at like 193 last year, now I’m around like 207, 205 — fluctuating in that range. So yeah, [Coach Ben Herbert] definitely did a good job and there are some outside influences for sure, too.
"It’s just helped me with my growth — I'm bigger, stronger, faster — every single year just trying to improve those areas of my game. And yeah, I don’t know how it’s going to [help], but I know it’s going to be for the better."
On new quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell:
“I absolutely love Kirk,” McCarthy said. “Not just the fact that he's a wizard in the pass game and with developing QBs — just because he's a great friend, great brother. When you can have that relationship with a coach, it can push through so many limitations and exceed expectations with my growth and his.
“That's the thing — we feed off each other, and it's really special. Extremely grateful to have him here.”
On being the solidified starter at quarterback:
"[Being the starter in the spring has a] tremendous, tremendous impact because it just feels like I have a solid foundation right now," he said. "And it’s so much easier to grow upon that foundation when it’s safe, secure and just being able to know where I’m at. There’s no like — I’m not in my head as much, everything’s happening so effortlessly now.
"Just with the preparation coming into the season, like we still have fall camp to prepare for, too, for the season, and it’s just going to do wonders for me. I just can’t wait to see how the season plays out because of it."
