The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1538670
SEPTEMBER 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 35 ❱ MICHIGAN FOOTBALL character and why he does the things he does," Zvada told The Wolverine. "He doesn't do it for himself. And that's very present in the locker room, too. Not ev- eryone knows about his story. But just by being around him and knowing the guy, you can tell that he's not for him- self; he's for a bigger purpose. "That's just one small example of something that he does. Every single day, he comes out of practice wanting to be there for others. If, for whatever reason, he doesn't have the day that he wants, he doesn't let it affect him. He still goes out there and pours into others and makes sure that everyone else is happy as well." Hollenbeck's mother used to say: "Two men sat behind prison bars. One saw the mud on the ground, while the other saw the stars in the sky. What will your outlook on life be? Mud or stars?" The phrase "Mud or stars?" is written on Hollenbeck's equipment as a tribute to his mother. "If anyone here has ever dealt with cancer in their life, they know it's unpre- dictable," Hudson said. "You don't know what's going to happen. You get a round of chemotherapy and then you just wait. Dealing with stuff like that has been a blessing in disguise. I have learned the life skills to just be persistent, to still push when I don't know the answers, when it didn't seem fair to me. I don't have an ex- cuse to not work hard because my mom did until the day she died. That is something I hold near and dear, and to this day, that's something I try to execute every day." Michigan has embraced Hollenbeck as a teammate and the message he brings with him to the facility every day. Giving back to the community is some- thing he feels grateful to be able to do. "This team has been amazing," he said. "I couldn't ask for better teammates, having come from Mississippi State, where the chemistry was not this by any means. That's why I wanted to come here. I was just coming off that tragedy, and [Jim] Harbaugh was still here. Those guys cared. This is a brotherhood." Hollenbeck raised $36,000 total dur- ing a previous campaign in high school. He hopes to top that with the new ini- tiative, which kicks off during the sea- son opener Aug. 30 versus New Mexico. — Anthony Broome MARTINDALE FEELS THE MOMENTUM U-M's defense under coordinator Wink Martindale ended on a high note last year, allowing just 29 points total in its last three games, two of them wins over Ohio State and Alabama. He said the momentum has built confidence, but that it's time to look toward the present. "Well, I think it builds confidence in all of them," Martindale said a few days into fall camp. "As a coach, now you're say- ing don't rest on that because that's over with… We talked about in the first meet- ing, our goals. I said, 'We're not talking about them anymore because tomorrow's not promised. Let's have the best day we can have.' That's what it's about. Just hav- ing the best day you can have today. We have a long football day today with our walkthroughs and meetings … and then we finish it with a practice this evening. "It's been fun. It's early. I'm glad I [won't be] here [at the podium] next week. I probably won't be in as good a mood as I am right now. But today we get to thud and actually play some foot- ball. So, I'm excited about that." — Anthony Broome FIVE-STAR FRESHMAN LINEMAN SUFFERS KNEE INJURY Freshman offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, a five-star recruit in the 2025 class, reportedly suffered a season- ending knee injury during practice. CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz initially broke the news Aug. 18. Babalola, a 6-6, 315-pounder from Overland Park, Kan., had been impres- sive in camp after a strong spring, and was competing for the starting role at left tackle as a true freshman. He was the No. 3-ranked tackle nationally last cycle. Junior Evan Link is the likely starter there now, with sophomore Blake Frazier in the backup role at both tackle spots. — Anthony Broome