The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1212135
2020 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE "What was so impressive over there — they initially thought he tore his ACL, but the team doctor said, 'I'm not convinced it's his ACL.' Sure enough, they went in and it was the MCL," VanDrew said. "He's super motivated, almost overly ambitious. We connected [Feb. 5], and he also told me he's about a month ahead of schedule. "He said it took a few weeks of settling in, but he's working out ex- tremely hard, super motivated to try to get ready for spring ball to do whatever he can." McGregor fully expects to be on the field this fall, the prep coach added, and wants to make an impact. He's got the ability to play any of the four up-front positions in Don Brown's defense, including both ends, and is ready to do whatever's asked of him. "It's one of those crazy things where he's the nicest, most caring kid off the field, but when he gets on it, he has a completely different demeanor," VanDrew said. "He's an animal for lack of better word — super athletic, super aggressive, loves contact. He gets super excitable out there. "Obviously, just because of his stature, who he was and the kind of player he is, he made everybody around him want the same thing." He received a ton of attention for one play in particular when he body slammed a ball carrier in his team's 2019 opener. "What people didn't realize is the three previous plays he damn near took the handoff," VanDrew said. "He had gotten 15 pounds heavier, added 50 to 60 pounds on the weight bench. I don't think he realized who he was." He certainly does now, and he is ready to live up to his lofty recruiting rankings at U-M. Despite getting up to 265 pounds, he's con- tinuing to work to add more strength, and is a "natural-born leader," VanDrew said, with great football IQ and versatility. "He can play weakside or strong … he's the kind of athlete who can handle added size," VanDrew said. "He just needs to get stronger, which he will, learn the game at the next level, and his natural ability and his work ethic will take care of every- thing else." ❑ McGregor was selected to play in the 2020 Under Armour All-American Game and the Polynesian Bowl, but missed both due to a knee injury he suffered in October. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN DID YOU KNOW? • Participated in the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge in 2019. • Set a Port Huron High School record with 227 career tackles, after being called up for the playoffs as a freshman and then starring for his final three years. • Two-year team captain who also played tight end on offense. • Ran the 40-yard dash in 5.06 seconds, clocked a 4.69-second shuttle run and posted a vertical jump of 27.9 inches at Nike's The Opening Regional. • Enrolled early at U-M. THEY SAID IT • Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh: "Been recruiting him since early in his sophomore year. Another long, ath- letic, strong defensive player that's a really good basket- ball player as well. Has 227 career tackles. He's a great guy, great family. Someone who committed early on and has been active in recruiting class; a 'Go Blue' guy all the way." • Cousino High School head coach Brad Nettles, who coached against McGregor: "McGregor is so strong and was hard to run against as a result — almost impossible, in fact. When we tried to go away from him, he was able to bend down the line of scrimmage and still create havoc. He's big, strong and incredibly quick for a guy his size, and is just a physical specimen." Port Huron (Mich.) Northern defensive coordinator Brett VanDrew on McGregor and the injury he suffered "You get to that point where you're in the midst of your senior season and have something that dramatic happen, it's pretty trying on anybody. He handled it pretty admirably. … He's working out extremely hard, super motivated to try to get ready for spring ball."