18 THE WOLVERINE
OCTOBER 2017
BY JOHN BORTON
W
hen the Leaders and Best
themselves choose lead-
ers, it's always something
special. That's the case this
year for a football team ready to prove
it's ready to take on the big boys.
Fifth-year senior linebacker Mike
McCray and senior left tackle Mason
Cole represent a rarity among the Wol-
verines in 2017. They're starters who
don't have eligibility remaining follow-
ing this season.
One of the youngest teams in college
football elected these two to help steer
the ship as captains in their final cam-
paign. McCray, the injury-overcom-
ing anchor of a neophyte linebacking
corps, and Cole, a by-the-book blocker
who twice switched positions for the
good of the team, are strong choices,
LEADING
THE WAY
Mike McCray And Mason Cole
Team Up As Captains
Before last season, McCray's only previous game action came in 2014, when he played in 11 contests and posted two tackles. He emerged as an
All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2016, racking up 76 total stops, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions.
PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN