The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1029353
OCTOBER 2018 THE WOLVERINE 21 last year, because he thought I was going to be the next man up at that position. I learned a lot from him in how to always be a steady presence, always be there for everyone." Cole's greatest lesson, Bredeson noted, was to: "Treat people with re- spect. That's the biggest thing at this level. He was a great person, and I've tried to model my way after him every day." Bredeson also demonstrates the competitive defiance the Wolverines are trying to adopt, in the face of one of the nation's toughest schedules. "Really, it's exciting," he said. "We get to play in how many legendary college stadiums? The atmospheres there are always incredible … we feed off energy, whether it's positive or negative." JUNIOR LINEBACKER DEVIN BUSH JR. If anyone isn't cowed by the respon- sibility of serving as an underclass- man captain, it's Bush. Michigan's leading tackler a year ago, the ever- upbeat Bush still did a double take over becoming a leader with a title. "I was surprised," he said, just be- fore the season began. "I was speech- less. It still hasn't hit me yet. "It means everything. It's my big- gest accomplishment here. It's some- thing that will stick with me forever." Bush also gave a nod to McCray, who wasn't tongue-tied when it was time to speak up, but who led more by example. "Mike McCray is the guy I mod- eled my game after and learned a lot from," Bush said. "He didn't do too much talking. When you hear cap- tain, he's always a guy that's being vocal, being heard. But he was a guy who leads by example, more than he talks." His advice to Bush: "Just be you. Why change anything? If you were elected captain being who you were, why change?" That means, Bush noted, there won't be many dour or angry reac- tions coming from No. 10, with com- mentary when necessary. "I'm more of a positive leader," he said. "I'm always smiling. I'm always a guy with energy. I won't ever be something I'm not or, depending on my mood, come out and change. I'll always be the same person — always smiling, always laughing, always wanting to have a good time. "I'm going to lead by example. If I have to say something, I won't bite my tongue." Junior running back Chris Evans noted that Bush holds plenty of sway, even when he doesn't say much. Ev- ans has gone against the third-year linebacker in workouts long enough to see precisely how things play out. "He's the glue to the defense in practice," Evans pointed out. "Every- body's going to him, and he's giving the calls. He's the centerpiece. Even if you're trying to go somewhere, he's so fast, he's still there. "He's not the biggest guy, but …" But he carries enough weight to be named a captain as an underclass- man. Bush joined many, including Harbaugh, in stressing that leadership on the 2018 team goes well beyond the captains. "Coach was like, it's our team," Bush said. "The coaches coach, the players play. When it all comes down to game day, we're going to be on the field, not Coach. We've got to take it upon ourselves to all get on the same page." As for the team itself, Bush is look- ing for a year without what-ifs. "Let's not leave any regrets this year," he said. "Let's not be the team that says we shoulda, coulda or woulda." With the Big Ten season at hand, those words will be underscored again, by four captains and a host of other Wolverines. ❏ Junior linebacker Devin Bush Jr. leads the team with 22 tackles through the first three games. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN