The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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14 THE WOLVERINE OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS U-M football had a pleas- ant surprise come its way this offseason when its duo of kicking specialists — Jake Moody and Brad Robbins — announced they would return for their fifth and sixth seasons with the program, respectively. Moody won the Lou Groza Award as the nation's top kicker, while Robbins was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, which goes to the best punter in the coun- try. Their returns not only brought back experience on special teams, but also a con- tinuation of charitable acts in the room. Last season, Robbins do- nated money to liver cancer research as part of his "Pin Cancer Deep" initiative, and he has continued it this fall. With NIL all the rage in col- lege sports, Moody is doing his part to match Robbins' impact for a good cause. "I figured I have a little bit more recognizable platform now, and I figured I would use my name for some good," Moody said. "I'm working with Mott Hospital this year, and we're doing a 'Good for Three' campaign, which is every field goal I make, there's $300 donated to Mott pediatrics." Moody and Robbins are a pair of elder statesmen on the roster, but each brings something different to the table. Moody is more re- served, while Robbins is more outward in keeping his hand on the pulse of the squad. "Our leadership styles are a little bit different," Robbins said. "He's more of the quiet guy, but he is so consistent and so good at executing and doing his job. And because of that quietness that he has, when he talks, everyone wants to hear what he says, because what he says matters. "I pride myself on being more of a social butterfly, a guy who's talking to everybody on the team, making sure everybody's okay, trying to develop a bunch of these different relationships. "It's bigger than just being a good punter or a kicker, it's about being a great teammate. I think that's huge." With Moody and Robbins having spent plenty of time with the program, special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh does not have a ton of direction for them in setting their routines. "They're super mature, tons of experience," he said. "Both guys will play professional football, and deservedly so. They have a great self-aware- ness of who they are, what they need, and what their rhythm is. And they kind of self-regulate throughout the week, and they do a great job. "Because we trust them so much, they'll come and say, 'Hey, can we not do this? Or can we do this or a little more of this, less of that?' That's the kind of thing when you get an ex- perienced player, you un- derstand that if they're com- ing to you with something that's well thought out, it's probably the right thing." Robbins is currently sport- ing a mustache that has made the rounds via the in- ternet and caught the atten- tion of cameras. He says the facial hair is symbolic of an emphasis on the little things and a mental note of what focusing on one thing looks like. "One of the things we all focused on as a team was high attention to detail," Rob- bins explained. "What does a mustache have to do with it, right? Most of us changed our routine and tightened things down. "That was one of the things that we focused on, that at- tention to detail thing. I changed my routine. I got a clean-shaven face, left my mustache. I kind of pride myself on being a guy who has a high attention to detail. This is a mental cue for me. I have no choice. I have to be perfect to do everything I can to help this team win." Moody majored in sport management as an underclassman, while Robbins majored in psychology with a minor in entrepreneurship. Both are expected to get looks from NFL teams following the 2022 season. ❏ Kicker Jake Moody and punter/holder Brad Robbins are raising money for charity based on their kicking performances throughout the 2022 football season. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Student-Athletes Of The Month Graduate Student Kicking Specialists Jake Moody And Brad Robbins