The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JANUARY 2018 THE WOLVERINE 19 BY JOHN BORTON M aurice Hurst didn't let much get in his way this season, becoming an All- American defensive tackle. He's also officially the best Michigan has to offer. The fifth-year senior out of West- wood, Mass., garnered the coveted Bo Schembechler Most Valuable Player Award, highlighting the 97th annual Michigan Football Bust at Livonia's Laurel Manor on Dec. 12. Hurst also collected the Defensive Player of the Year designation, after posting career highs in tackles (59), tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (five). The top-rated performer in the coun- try at any position by Pro Football Focus, Hurst rode the votes of team- mates to the MVP distinction. "I'm so thankful to Coach [Greg] Mattison for pulling me out of Mas- sachusetts, not a great state for recruit- ing. But we did it," Hurst said. "I'm thankful for everyone who has made this possible. Coach [Brady] Hoke and his staff, Coach [Jim] Harbaugh, ev- eryone I've been in contact with." Hurst posted a picture on social media earlier in the week, depicting Michigan's wall of All-Americans inside Schembechler Hall. He's well aware of the history involved in rising to the level he's attained, a day af- ter being named an Associated Press first-team All-American. "There have been so many great players at Michigan, and I'm just happy I can be considered one of them," Hurst assured. Hurst didn't become a fulltime starter until this season, given the depth and talent on last year 's ros- ter. He's been a key component in a defense that heads into the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 ranked third in the nation in total defense (268.6 yards allowed per game), despite replacing 10 starters from 2016 now on NFL rosters. Hurst may have played his last game for the Wolverines, noting he's undecided about performing in the Outback Bowl. Fellow fifth-year se- nior Mike McCray noted prior to the Bust that teammates would back Hurst regardless. "He's had a great career here — a first-team All-American," McCray said. "He has our support, no matter what he does." Hurst enjoyed the support of his teammates in the MVP balloting, as well as that from hundreds of enthu- siastic supporters at Laurel Manor. He thanked them all for their loyalty. "Five years goes by really fast," Hurst said. "This has been such a great experience for me, getting to come to the University of Michigan. It's everything I dreamed of and more. "I had a great five years, and I went through a lot of adversity. The one thing I was taught was try to work through those things. That has a lot to do with my mom, how she raised me and what we had to go through." Meanwhile, University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel pointed out there's much more to Hurst than a highly competent football player. "Maurice Hurst is a four-time Academic All-Conference honoree," Schlissel marveled. "He's also consid- ered to be … the highest-rated defen- sive player in the nation, while getting his Master's degree in the school of social work." Hurst topped a lengthy list of Mich- igan award winners. Here is the com- plete roster: Bo Schembechler MVP: Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Maurice Hurst Dr. Arthur D. Robinson Scholar- ship Award: Fifth-year senior line- backer Mike Wroblewski Top GPA: Redshirt freshman offen- sive lineman Stephen Spanellis Robert P. Ufer Bequest (enthusi- asm and love for Michigan): Fifth- year senior linebacker Mike McCray and fifth-year senior fullback Henry Poggi Roger Zatkoff Award (top line- backer): Sophomore Devin Bush Jr. Richard Katcher Award (top defen- sive lineman or outside linebacker): Sophomore defensive end Rashan Gary Hugh H. Rader Memorial Award: (best offensive lineman): Senior left tackle Mason Cole Offensive Player Of The Year: Ju- nior tailback Karan Higdon Defensive Player Of The Year: Hurst Special Teams Player Of The Year: Redshirt sophomore defensive back Jordan Glasgow Toughest Player Award: Freshman fullback Ben Mason Blue Collar Award: Redshirt junior defensive end Chase Winovich Rookie Of The Year: Freshman wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones Most Improved Player (Offense): Redshirt sophomore tight end Zach Gentry Most Improved Player (Defense): Junior safety Tyree Kinnel Most Improved Player (Special Teams): Fifth-year senior kicker James Foug Scout Team Player Of The Year (Offense): Freshman quarterback Dylan McCaffrey Most Valuable Pounder Maurice Hurst Is Named Michigan's MVP At U-M's Football Bust Freshman quarterback Dylan McCaffrey was named the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year and defensive coordinator Don Brown praised him for helping his well-lauded defense get ready every day in practice. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN