Michigan’s contingent had to cut it a bit short at today’s Media Day, their flight moved up. There was still plenty to glean from head coach Jim Harbaugh and veterans Mason Cole, Mike McCray and Maurice Hurst.
Senior left tackle Cole is in the best shape of his life, 6-4, 300 pounds. Fifth-year senior McCray is also there, he said … and he’s pleased with the work they put in this summer.
We’ve heard (but haven’t confirmed) redshirt junior nose tackle Bryan Mone has work to do on his conditioning … he’s one of the few. Sophomore guard Mike Onwenu is “getting there,” Harbaugh said today, slimming down. He’s still the favorite to start at guard, though he looked too big and slow in the spring game.
Cole loves Cesar Ruiz. Cole, of course, played as a true freshman, but he said the freshman offensive lineman is miles ahead of him both physically and mentally.
“He knows everything,” he said. “He’s really smart, knows what he’s doing. Whether it’s this year, whether it’s next year or whenever, he’s going to be really good.”
Cole said fifth-year senior Pat Kugler has really put in the work this summer, too, and is in the best physical shape he’s been in. He also marveled at the young talent on the team and the athleticism, citing it as the reason he’s so optimistic U-M can make a run at a title this year.
McCray was similarly optimistic. He bit his tongue when asked how it felt to be an overwhelming underdog to Ohio State in the championship discussion. It’s clear he’s confident in this group.
McCray’s favorite freshman of the early enrollees … safety J’Marick Woods. It’s reminiscent of the way guys used to talk about defensive lineman Tim Jamison … they couldn’t wait to see him practice because they were that excited to see him hit somebody.
“He hits you, and you stay there,” McCray said.
McCray also marveled at the size of freshmen linemen James Hudson and Aubrey Solomon (‘they’re huge’).
Cole said frosh Chuck Filiaga is 6-7, 340 “and a good 340.” In other words, not fat. He concurred with others who have said that shaking the kid’s hand is like grabbing an Easter ham, and he’s impressed with his work ethic.
McCray said sophomore Josh Uche is ready to make an impact, calling him the fastest linebacker of the bunch. He hasn’t seen enough of the new true freshmen to know how good they’ll be, but said he’s heard great things.
Harbaugh singled out running back Karan Higdon as one who has had a great offseason, really put in the time and looks the part. He’s serious about winning that competition. Kareem Walker isn’t in the top four, though Harbaugh said he might be the best ‘between the tackles’ guy. He has to get better in pass protection.
Fifth-year senior Ty Isaac had gotten a bit too bulky, but he’s slimmed down and had a good summer.
Finally, a New York Times writer seemed to be fishing for something to write about how Harbaugh needs to win to back up his celebrity --- Harbaugh stopped him in his tracks, though, asked his angle and said he didn’t want to answer any more of his questions unless they pertained to fall practice.
We’ll have much more in the days to come.
Senior left tackle Cole is in the best shape of his life, 6-4, 300 pounds. Fifth-year senior McCray is also there, he said … and he’s pleased with the work they put in this summer.
We’ve heard (but haven’t confirmed) redshirt junior nose tackle Bryan Mone has work to do on his conditioning … he’s one of the few. Sophomore guard Mike Onwenu is “getting there,” Harbaugh said today, slimming down. He’s still the favorite to start at guard, though he looked too big and slow in the spring game.
Cole loves Cesar Ruiz. Cole, of course, played as a true freshman, but he said the freshman offensive lineman is miles ahead of him both physically and mentally.
“He knows everything,” he said. “He’s really smart, knows what he’s doing. Whether it’s this year, whether it’s next year or whenever, he’s going to be really good.”
Cole said fifth-year senior Pat Kugler has really put in the work this summer, too, and is in the best physical shape he’s been in. He also marveled at the young talent on the team and the athleticism, citing it as the reason he’s so optimistic U-M can make a run at a title this year.
McCray was similarly optimistic. He bit his tongue when asked how it felt to be an overwhelming underdog to Ohio State in the championship discussion. It’s clear he’s confident in this group.
McCray’s favorite freshman of the early enrollees … safety J’Marick Woods. It’s reminiscent of the way guys used to talk about defensive lineman Tim Jamison … they couldn’t wait to see him practice because they were that excited to see him hit somebody.
“He hits you, and you stay there,” McCray said.
McCray also marveled at the size of freshmen linemen James Hudson and Aubrey Solomon (‘they’re huge’).
Cole said frosh Chuck Filiaga is 6-7, 340 “and a good 340.” In other words, not fat. He concurred with others who have said that shaking the kid’s hand is like grabbing an Easter ham, and he’s impressed with his work ethic.
McCray said sophomore Josh Uche is ready to make an impact, calling him the fastest linebacker of the bunch. He hasn’t seen enough of the new true freshmen to know how good they’ll be, but said he’s heard great things.
Harbaugh singled out running back Karan Higdon as one who has had a great offseason, really put in the time and looks the part. He’s serious about winning that competition. Kareem Walker isn’t in the top four, though Harbaugh said he might be the best ‘between the tackles’ guy. He has to get better in pass protection.
Fifth-year senior Ty Isaac had gotten a bit too bulky, but he’s slimmed down and had a good summer.
Finally, a New York Times writer seemed to be fishing for something to write about how Harbaugh needs to win to back up his celebrity --- Harbaugh stopped him in his tracks, though, asked his angle and said he didn’t want to answer any more of his questions unless they pertained to fall practice.
We’ll have much more in the days to come.
