The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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106 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW Brown and new linebackers coach Chris Partridge. Nobody on a Jim Harbaugh roster holds any guarantees, but McCray II certainly made a strong bid to become one of three starting U-M linebackers come September. It's a new beginning at that position for Harbaugh's crew, which featured all seniors at those spots last year under different direc- tion. It's also a new beginning for McCray II, who has been waiting into his fourth year as a Wolverine to make a big impact. He redshirted as a freshman and then enjoyed a career highlight in his first- ever appearance on the field, blocking a punt in the 2014 opener against Appala- chian State. He posted a pair of tackles, including one for loss, on the year, work- ing as a backup to All-Big Ten performer Jake Ryan. McCray II figured to mount a strong challenge for playing time as an inside line- backer in 2015, but a torn labrum in his shoulder during spring practice wiped out his year. His high hopes crashed to earth, in a challenge even bigger than the coach staff changeover he'd just encountered. "I built a great relationship with the [Brady Hoke] coaching staff through recruiting and when I got here," McCray II admitted. "It was tough at first, but, eventually, you have to move on. We all have done that very well." The shoulder, though, couldn't be shaken off through mere mental ruggedness. "Getting hurt and having to have surgery was hard," McCray II said. "I wanted to be out there with my teammates and contribute to the team. Now I think I've matured a lot. I'm more mentally focused and prepared. I've gained a lot from that." The elder McCray, who battled injuries while playing for the Buckeyes, knows all about the lonely climb back from the train- ing room to the field. He and other fam- ily members circled the wagons around the wounded Wolverine, and helped him past some dark days. Now, life is looking up again, but no- body's taking anything for granted. "Basically, you've got to keep on grind- ing," McCray Sr. offered. "Keep on having faith, believe in yourself, believe in the Lord. Just keep on going. "He told me he got a lot of reps this spring — over 600 reps. I didn't know they kept that stuff. I don't know that they kept that stuff back in my day." The elder McCray's day, and days as a college football player, moved him to try and push his son to keep getting better. But the man whom his son calls "the best dad anybody could ask for" had to learn a lesson or two along the way. McCray II didn't consider himself a gung-ho football player at first, focus- ing more on basketball and baseball. He eventually grew into desiring the sport his father enjoyed, but at a measured level of commitment. "At a young age, he was on me hard," McCray II recalled. "When I started growing up, he backed off a little bit, but he was still on me. He understands that I know what he tried to instill in me. He's not as tough on me now, but he still critiques me and gives me advice. "I go home and we watch film together all the time. I ask questions, and he shows me things." McCray II, who redshirted as a freshman in 2013, blocked a punt in the 2014 season opener versus Appalachian State in his first game with the Wolverines and went on to see action in 11 contests that season. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN "They're all big Ohio State fans because I went there, but everybody wears blue. Mike is just one of those kids that people want to support." FORMER BUCKEYE MIKE MCCRAY SR. ON THE FAMILY SUPPORTING HIS SON