The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/917835
JANUARY 2018 THE WOLVERINE 21 the biggest thing. We don't want to fin- ish this season with a loss. That would kind of screw the record up. We're try- ing to get that ninth win. It would be good for our season and also help the guys coming back next year. "Finish with a win and get the mo- mentum going heading into spring ball and the offseason, get those guys some confidence going into next sea- son." Retaining Winovich would give the defense an added boost of confidence, but he noted he's not ready to make the call on whether or not he's leaving for the NFL with a year of eligibility remaining. "I haven't decided anything yet," Winovich said, prior to the Bust. "I'm having fun with the whole process and timeline-wise, I'm trying to have an answer within two weeks. "I'm not lean- ing any one way. I'll lean one way for a couple days and then I'll go the other way. From talking to people who are higher up and know football, the consensus is I can't go wrong. If I leave this year, I'll make a lot of money. If I come back, there's a great opportunity." There will be opportunity no matter what for the 2018 Wolver- ines, McCray con- firmed. "Oh, you've got a lot of talent," he said of the defense he'll leave behind. "Devin [Bush] is going to be the man next year. You've got Tyree [Kinnel] coming back, and if Chase comes back, they might be the only two seniors, with [redshirt junior de- fensive tackle] Bryan Mone. "You've got a lot coming back, a lot of people who played this year. They will be better than this year's defense and last year's defense." They're building memories that will last a lifetime, promised former cap- tain and All-American Jon Jansen. He told the seniors to tap fully into their Michigan experience and connections. "No matter where you guys go, Michigan will always go with you," he said. "The Michigan family will celebrate your successes, and when needed, the Michigan family will be there to support you when life sends challenges your way … "So reach out. Stay in touch with the football program. Stay in touch with the University. Give back, because Michigan will always be there to give to you." ❏ Best Of The Bust Michigan's annual Bust always produces some humorous and interesting comments along the way, whether from the podium or around the ballroom at Livonia's Laurel Manor. For instance, head coach Jim Harbaugh noted fifth-year senior center Pat Kugler could be a graduate assistant coach next season for the Wolverines. There's a catch, however, a laughing Harbaugh noted. "You have to shave that beard," the coach said. Here's a sampling of more of the fare from 2017: • Michigan director of athletics Warde Manuel: "Think about the number that was mentioned — 48 Academic All-Big Ten honors, the most of any school. When people ask me about what I'm proud of, I get tremendous joy over talk- ing about not only what is displayed on the field of play, but what these young men work hard to do in the classroom." • Redshirt junior defensive end Chase Win- ovich, on what someone said they'd do if he left early: "I've shared some of the pictures of the ridiculous things they have said. This isn't funny, but one guy said he'd cut his fingers off. Then he [direct messaged] me and said he'd cut his toes off and send them to me. Another said he'd release his chupacabra [an imaginary animal that sucks the blood from livestock] and let it chase after me. "It doesn't really end ... they're having fun with it, too. It's great to be a Michigan Wolver- ine as always." • MVP Maurice Hurst's mom, Nicole Page: "Only one percent of Division I football players get a scholarship from Massachusetts. To start and to be an All-American? That is an amazing accomplishment, and I am so proud of him." • Senior left tackle Mason Cole, on Har- baugh's calmer sideline demeanor this sea- son: "Maybe he's learned from the freakouts he's had on the sidelines before. It's not some- thing we really look at as players." • Fifth-year senior fullback Khalid Hill, on coming back to earn his degree this season, much to the joy of his mother: " The NFL stands for Not For Long. Not too many careers last long, so you've got to have something to fall back on … a Michigan degree can go a long way." • Cole again, on Harbaugh: "What people see on Twitter is just a small portion of who he is. He's an incredible coach and an incredible person. He would do absolutely anything for any of us. That's what makes him such a good coach." • Manuel again, on granting a varsity letter to a former Wolverine who did not earn one under the criteria given when he played: "I changed the policy. If you played and you didn't letter, and you're 100 years old, you get one." — John Borton At the annual Bust, Jim Harbaugh said: "We're going to win all of our games — that's what we're striving for." PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN