The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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10 THE WOLVERINE ❱ AUGUST 2023 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Michigan center Drake Nugent, a gradu- ate transfer from Stanford, comes to U-M as one of the top-rated returning players at the position nationally. He'll be one of the favorites to replace Olu Oluwatimi, last year's Rimington Trophy winner, at the all- important position on the line. Former Michigan All-American Jon Jan- sen caught up with Nugent on his "In the Trenches" podcast. Jansen: Why did you end up in the portal, and what brought you to Michigan? Drake Nugent: "I was kind of on the fence about going into the portal … but I really just wanted to, number one, come to a winning program that could elevate my game. "I guess there is a stigma between Pac-12 versus SEC or Big Ten football, obviously. I think I had a couple of strong years at Stan- ford, but for me to really prove myself at the next level, I've got to do that in these conferences, as well. "Coach [David] Shaw resigned at Stanford and that kind of sold me … I love those guys and I want them to do well. I just wanted to come to a place that was all about football. Everybody is about the team, they're winning games, they've got some momentum and a place where I can come in and help." Jansen: What else were you looking for in a team when you decided to leave? Nugent: "My main criteria coming out of the portal was I wanted to go somewhere with a good quarterback, good running back, and other good O-linemen. If I have those, it's probably on a good team that's already winning. I'm a firm believer in other guys around you. "You're a product of your environment. Other guys are going to level you up and push you to be better. I wanted to go somewhere I was one of the least talented guys on the roster or in the room." Jansen: What do you think you best offer to a program like Michigan? Nugent: "Competitiveness, I'd probably say. I've gotten a couple of jokes — Coach [Sherrone] Moore would always tell me that I'm always an- gry and stuff like that. I don't like to think I am, but it's not the first time I've heard that. I feel like I bring a business mentality. "I have fun outside of here with the guys, but as soon as you're in the building — at practice, workouts, meetings — I just take my business very seriously, because I care about this." Jansen: You're coming off an injury and missed spring — how are you recovering? Nugent: "[That competitiveness] is part of the reason why I got that injury. I was always doing heavy squats and stuff, trying to do too much. I think it caught up with me these past couple of years at Stanford. I just had some bad knee pain. It wasn't anything detrimental or structurally wrong; it was just super painful stuff, tendinitis stuff. "Looking back on it, I think I went on it a little too much at times. But, at the same time, it did get me here. I don't know how much I would regret that." Jansen: You came here with one of your Stanford linemates, Myles Hinton. What are your expectations for him? Nugent: "The dude is a physical freak. I've al- ways been a weight room junkie — I love lifting weights and trying to be top numbers in every- thing. Then you get guys like him who can do it naturally. "As soon as he realizes he can do it naturally, he puts even more work in. It's just terrifying what he can do. I've seen players like him barely touch someone and they fly 10 yards and you're like, 'Oh my God — do that every play! You'll be a first-team All-American.'" Nugent, who was a team captain as a senior at Stanford, started 24 of 27 games he played for the Cardinal. PHOTO COURTESY STANFORD ❱ Sitting Down With Michigan Graduate Center Drake Nugent Pro Football Focus released its preseason All-Big Ten teams, and while Ohio State led the way with 15 overall picks, Michi- gan had seven of its 14 appear on the first team, more than any other squad. The Wolverines had junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy, se- nior running back Blake Corum, senior offensive lineman Zak Zinter, graduate offensive lineman Drake Nugent, senior de- fensive tackle Kris Jenkins, sophomore cornerback Will John- son and junior safety Rod Moore all land on the first team. That the Wolverines have so many more than every other school may indicate the best top-end talent resides in Ann Arbor, at least in PFF's mind. The Wolverines, Buckeyes and Penn State (12) are the only programs with double-digit selections, though seven of the Nittany Lions' players who made the cut are on the third team. There were only nine other players from the Big Ten East's four other teams (Indiana, three; Maryland, three; Michigan State, two; Rutgers, one) that were named preseason All-Big Ten. Iowa (nine) and Illinois (six) highlighted the Big Ten West, followed by Wisconsin and Minnesota, each of which had five. Here's a look at the PFF All-Big Ten selections for each team entering the season: School 1st Team 2nd Team 3rd Team Total Ohio State 3 6 6 15 Michigan 7 5 2 14 Penn State 3 2 7 12 Iowa 5 2 2 9 Illinois 2 1 3 6 Wisconsin 3 1 1 5 Minnesota 1 3 1 5 Indiana 1 1 1 3 Maryland 0 2 1 3 Northwestern 0 1 1 2 Michigan State 0 1 1 2 Rutgers 1 0 0 1 Purdue 0 1 0 1 Nebraska 0 0 0 0 — Clayton Sayfie WOLVERINES LEAD THE WAY WITH SEVEN PFF PRESEASON FIRST-TEAM ALL-BIG TEN SELECTIONS