The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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2015 RECRUITING ISSUE cornerback for Michigan State from 1995-97 and has known David since he was a small child. He got to watch David grow up and eventually com- mit to the school that he loved. Even when the season wasn't go- ing well for the Wolverines on the field, Hackenbracht knew that David would not look around. He explains that while David did grow up in the heart of football country in the state of Ohio, Maize and Blue has always been in his veins. "Once Andrew committed to Mich- igan I knew there was nothing that could change his mind," Hacken- bracht explained. "Andrew has been a big-time Michigan fan ever since I've known him. I think that, from my experience in going to college, you marry the school and not the coach. You fall in love with that as- pect of it. "Even though Andrew did fall in love with the former coaches, the new guy in town is Jim Harbaugh, and he's very excited about his op- portunity." Michigan football, and football in general, has always been a part of David's life. His father, Jeff, is a for- mer coach at Massillon and brought Andrew up around the sport. Be- cause of that, Hackenbracht knows that David understands what it takes to be successful and will do what it takes to get there. "Andrew has just been brought up around football," Hackenbracht said. "He tagged along with his dad when he was a little boy. He was always around the football facilities, and it's just in his blood. He's grown up around that football environment his whole life. "I remember when he was really small he'd be in the coaches' office, and his dad would have to go do something and the rest of the coaches would watch him. It's all just normal to him." Once David gets to Ann Arbor he's going to have a very realistic shot to put that knowledge and know-how to work and see the field immedi- ately. As the only scholarship kicker on the roster, he may be called upon to be "the guy" from day one, and Hackenbracht is certain that David will be ready if that happens. "I think the sky is the limit for that kid," he said. "I've watched him grow up around the game and im- prove so much from his freshman year until now. He has an unbe- lievable work ethic. He works out and does all of the little things to make himself very good. This is just what he's supposed to do. He's been groomed for it his entire life." David himself also understands the magnitude of what he could step into as a true freshman but isn't wor- ried at all. He has lofty goals, and if he is what everyone seems to think he is, he might just achieve them all. "The No. 1 goal on my screensaver is to be the starter week one against Utah," David said. "I'm definitely heading up there with the mindset that I am the guy. I want to be the all-time leading scorer in Michigan history. "With my situation, hard work,