The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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30 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JANUARY 2024 a need. It happened later. We certainly looked at some other guys at that posi- tion, all the way back to December and January. We were able to get him late." Once they did, Wallace committed himself to doing his part. That meant partnering up with grad defensive back Mikey Sainristil and learning all the ins and outs of Michigan football, so he could hit the ground running. "His ability to come in and really be a pro, learn a lot, jump right in Mikey's hip and understand the culture here, un- derstand the DB play [was impressive]," Minter said. "He's been a guy that's played inside and outside as well." He's also someone who learned key lingo in less than a week. " I t's f u n ny," Wa l l a c e re c a l l e d . "When I first got up here, I'd talk about who you play. For example, we had four night games this year. My first week I was here, I'd be like, 'Oh, well, who you guys play?' [Laughs] That was a little adjustment I made. Mike used to mess with me about that. He'd be like, 'You guys, you guys.' I was new. It took me a second to be part of the team, mentally." It quickly became we guys. Wallace didn't take much time to learn that these guys, including him, were going to fashion a really impressive football team. "I could say that from, shoot, my first workout here," Wallace assured. "Every- thing was different. Coach Herb [strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert] has us organized on every little detail in the weight room. Even having the 'M' facing a certain way. Our shoes lined up against the wall. It's a disciplined team. I just knew this team was special from that mo- ment. Coach Herb and this coaching staff have done a great job with that." Wallace also realized that woven throughout the Michigan program fabric at present, there's a togetherness of which he wanted to be a part. While he remained in the decision-making process, he paid a visit to Ann Arbor. The fact that the Wolverines went above and beyond in welcoming him made an impression that put a winged helmet on his head. "On my visit, J.J. [McCarthy] texted me," Wallace marveled. "The starting quarterback. That doesn't usually hap- pen, where he texts you, for the support of the team. For all the other schools I went to, that didn't happen. That was big. And all the defensive guys — [junior linebacker] Junior [Colson], Mike, [junior safety] Rod [Moore] — coming out to a dinner, played a huge role. It was very nice." Wallace also came in determined to improve his defensive skills, for a future beyond this year. He found just what he sought, in Michigan's array of defensive coaches. At the same time, they perceived the player approach they sought. "They just saw a guy who is going to put his head down and work," Wallace said. "Not all into the glitz and glamour. Just focus on getting better. I fit right into the team, because that's the Michigan way — head down, working. "The coaching staff put a huge role on me, coming in there. Coach Clink [de- fensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale] is a great guy, great coach, helps you on and off the field. I could go down the whole list with the defensive staff. They're all great coaches. [Defensive line] Coach [Mike] Elston, [safeties] Coach Jay [Har- baugh], Coach Minter — they're all great guys and great coaches, and I love playing for them." Wallace also loved playing in the big- gest of games, and experiencing every- thing they told him he would. "Beating Ohio State — I can say I'm 1-0 versus them," he offered, proudly. "Win- ning the Big Ten championship. That was a great experience. And the night games. I loved the night games. And beating Mich- igan State, too." The OSU experience stood out most of all — at least to this point. "That's a first-time experience play- ing in a big game like that," Wallace con- firmed. "That was a great opportunity for me and the defense to show what we've got. I thought we did a great job, getting the 'W.' Rod Moore made a great play at the end to seal it." In fact, Wallace forced a fumble on the play before, that OSU managed to secure. Then on the decisive play, he redirected Buckeye star and intended receiver Mar- vin Harrison Jr., before Moore dove in for the game-clinching pickoff. Michigan's tenuous six-point lead held, due to a defense ready to slam shut all the exits. "Our defense was thinking, if they score, they win," Wallace said. "Our job was to not let them score, and Rod made a helluva play to end that game. All kudos to him." Wallace executed a game-changer of his own in the Big Ten title game, in al- most matter-of-fact fashion. Sainristil hammered the arm of Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill in his own end zone, with Michigan still clinging to a 10-0 third- quarter lead over the Hawkeyes. Officials initially ruled it an incomplete pass and, after the ball bounced around for a bit, it rolled toward Wallace. His training didn't allow him to let it pass by. "It was crazy," Wal- lace said. "Just from practice habits, our whole defensive staff, Coach Minter empha- sizes picking up every little loose ball in practice, so it was just a loose ball, and I just picked it up. Ear- lier in the game, I dove on one. It didn't count, but that one, I picked it up and … it counted." It counted because an official review turned it into a fumble. One play later, senior tailback Blake Corum cashed in a 6-yard touchdown run, and Michigan sported a 17-0 lead — insurmountable given its defensive effort. "If I would have known, I would have run with it," Wallace acknowledged. "But my head just said to pick it up. Just a habit we do in practice. Mike made a nice play on that blitz. It got hit, went off a couple of offensive linemen, defensive line, and just rolled to me." Plenty of wondrous experiences rolled to Wallace over the past eight months. In each instance, he made the pickup. No regrets for anyone, and again, more to come. "He's got a great demeanor," Minter stressed. "He's a huge pickup, and I'm really happy with how he played." For Wallace, it's bring on Alabama and keep this dream rolling. "It's been everything you can dream of," he said. "It's been surreal." ❏ ❱ Wallace "Not all into the glitz and glamour. Just focus on getting better. I fit right into the team, because that's the Michigan way — head down, working."