The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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2012 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE Offensive Lineman Ben Braden Traded In Skates For Football Pads football helmet, he was in fourth grade, and he hated it. A few years later, then an eighth grader, he played football again, and continued to loathe the game. In- stead, he spent his youth and early high school career lacing up skates, excelling at and enjoying ice hockey. "When I was pretty young, we lived in Lansing, The first time Ben Braden put on cleats, pads and a and a bunch of friends and I would play roller-blade hockey for almost four hours a day every day after school," Braden said. "Then when we moved to Rock- ford when I was in third grade, my parents let me play hockey, and I just loved it. I played all the way through my sophomore year." Rockford has a proud hockey tradition, but nothing that compares to the gridiron; the Rams have qualified for the playoffs 17 consecutive seasons, winning state titles in 2004, 2005 and 2008, with runner-up finishes in 1998 and 2006. They've had just two losing seasons in the past 30 years and boast a record of 123-25 since 2000. Longtime coach Ralph Munger felt Braden could be an asset to the football team, but allowed the teenager to reach that conclusion on his own. "His mom and dad were encouraging him to give one more try, and we're glad he did because you could tell instantly this young man had a lot of upside and could help us as a sophomore," Munger said. "I just reached a point where I should hang up the skates — I probably had reached my peak in hockey and had more potential in football," Braden noted. "It wasn't that I expected to get a scholarship if I played football, but I had no shot in hockey, and football, the way I was getting bigger and stronger, was made for me. "I'm glad my parents, and my coach, let me make my own decision. If I felt any pressure I probably would have hated football again." At 6-6, 250 pounds in 2009, Braden initially began his career along the defensive line. He saw action in eight of Rockford's 12 games, and contributed 16 tackles, in- cluding two sacks. By the following year, Braden was up to 285 pounds and was starting at right tackle. "It actually worked out great because I didn't like Rivals.com ranks Braden as a three-star recruit, the No. 8 player in Michigan and the No. 41 offensive tackle in the class of 2012. cus exclusively on football his senior year. "Michigan was on my list even when Coach [Rich] playing offense in eighth grade, but I liked playing defense," Braden said. "Eventually, I got more used to offense, understood the plays, and it became more fun. I definitely enjoyed throwing people around. In one game, I even dislocated a kid's shoulder. I felt bad about it to be honest, but to outwork, outmuscle your opponent … imposing your will is fun." By the end of his junior year, Braden was a legitimate Division I prospect, earning offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Syracuse. He didn't rush his decision, speaking to each coaching staff and learning about the schools presenting opportunities. But after visiting with U-M head coach Brady Hoke, Braden made his choice in March, allowing him to fo- 40 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2012 Rodriguez was there because I liked their offensive line coach [Greg Frey], and then when they hired Brady Hoke, he and my coach were good friends, and they're a lot alike," Braden said. "With some coaches, you get nervous talking to them, but with Coach Hoke I had a relaxed conversation; he just makes you feel comfortable. He was a huge factor, but probably all along I've known it was the place for me." There was one last piece of business for Braden to consider — with football at Rockford finished, he thought about playing hockey." "I contemplated it a lot, but it's been a long time since I've skated competitively," Braden said. "I ulti- mately decided not to play this season and to work out and start getting ready for Michigan." PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL — Michael Spath