The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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20 THE WOLVERINE OCTOBER 2018 off. The cohesiveness in the group makes it really easy to run." Bredeson also noted the affect new position coach Ed Warinner has had on the line. "I'd say notably different," Brede- son said. "It's not completely dif- ferent. We've got a lot of the same schemes, a lot of the same runs. I'd say the way he teaches is the main difference. He simplifies a lot of things, makes it easy for us, so when we get on the field, we'll only have one check. It makes it simpler for us, so we can play faster." The group also realized going in that it would have to adjust and improve all along the way. Facing a strong Notre Dame front under- scored that fact, but Bredeson re- mained confident both in his indi- vidual position group and the team as a whole. He also witnessed a mentor in ac- tion a year ago, and he's looking to emulate those efforts. "One of my best friends on the team was [2017 captain] Mason Cole," Bredeson said. "So obviously I learned a lot from him. He taught me how to take over the O-line room Jim Harbaugh gave his annual nod to Michigan's team cap- tains this season, but didn't stop there. He wants leadership throughout the veterans on the U-M roster. He demonstrated that first by allowing for the four-man captains crew to be split half and half between the senior and junior class. Harbaugh also stressed there is plenty of other veteran leadership, calling out several by name. Of senior captains Tyree Kinnel and Karan Higdon, a safety and tailback, respectively, Harbaugh noted: "They're both great guys, both starters and both have taken a leadership role. They've invested a lot, like all the seniors have. The seniors and fifth-years, they've invested the most. They've had the best attitude. "Also, the junior captains, [linebacker] Devin Bush and [left guard] Ben Bredeson, they're great leaders, great players, great contributors." Harbaugh then issued both a challenge and words of en- couragement for other veterans. "Along with the rest of our senior class, and our fifth-year guys, I really feel good about the leadership of the ball club," he said. "[Fifth-year senior defensive end] Chase Winovich, [redshirt junior tight end] Zach Gentry, [fifth-year senior cornerback] Brandon Watson have really emerged as lead- ers. So has [redshirt junior offensive tackle] Jon Runyan, [fifth-year senior defensive tackle] Bryan Mone and so many others, [fifth-year senior offensive tackle] Juwann Bushell- Beatty. "There are a bunch of good guys contributing from a lead- ership role, and as always, that's a team effort." The chosen four join a long list of Wolverines voted to lead. Here's a look back at the past 20 years of them — none of which featured more than one junior as a captain: 2017 Maurice Hurst, Mike McCray 2016 Jake Butt, Chris Wormley 2015 Joe Bolden, Joe Kerridge 2014 Jake Ryan, Devin Gardner 2013 Courtney Avery, Taylor Lewan, Cam Gordon, Jake Ryan* 2012 Jordan Kovacs, Denard Robinson 2011 Kevin Koger, Mike Martin, David Molk 2010 Mark Moundros, Steve Schilling 2009 Stevie Brown, Brandon Graham, Zoltan Mesko, Mark Ortmann 2008 Mike Massey, Tim Jamison, Will Johnson, Terrance Taylor 2007 Jake Long, Mike Hart 2006 LaMarr Woodley, Jake Long* 2005 Jason Avant, Pat Massey 2004 David Baas, Marlin Jackson 2003 Grant Bowman, Carl Diggs, John Navarre 2002 Bennie Joppru, Victor Hobson 2001 Eric Brackins, Shawn Thompson 2000 Steve Hutchinson, Anthony Thomas, James Whitley, Eric Wilson 1999 Tom Brady, Steve Hutchinson*, Rob Renes 1998 Jon Jansen, Juaquin Feazell * Junior — John Borton Junior guard Ben Bredeson, along with linebacker classmate Devin Bush Jr., are Michigan's first junior captains since linebacker Jake Ryan in 2013. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Michigan Captains Of The Last 20 Years