On his experience in Ann Arbor so far and why he chose the Wolverines
To answer your first question, it's been really good so far. I feel like all the guys have been real cool with me and helpful. I feel like I fit in with the culture and that kind of goes into why I came here because I'm a guy that likes playing a tough brand of football. You turn on the TV, you see Michigan running the ball, play actions, physical upfront and I am the type of player that loves to do that. Also, I feel like having Coach Hart here, I spent a year with him at IU. I just think, in this business, being real is extremely important and Coach Hart always keeps it real. Just a good dude on and off the field, somebody I can go to and he's going to be honest and isn't going to sugarcoat anything. I just think those two factors and, like I said, I played against Michigan before, I know how much football means to this place and just that opportunity and the opportunity to compete for a national title, Big Ten championship, that's the standard. It's not just a goal that might be out of reach, that's a standard we're shooting for.
On what kind of blocker he is as a TE
I feel like just a physical blocker and somebody that takes pride in understanding that if you're going to get the ball, you better block first. Of course, I love catching the ball and scoring touchdowns but I also love pancaking somebody and stuff like that. I think that just comes from—I grew up my whole life playing defense. My dad was a middle linebacker and I always wanted to play defense. I didn't think I would play tight end at this level. I just kept growing and it was like you're too big to play linebacker. I feel like that aspect of my game, knowing the angles the linebacker has to take to get to the ball and I also wrestled, too, growing up so the leverage it takes to block. I feel like those little details—another reason I came to Michigan because I have to block Jaylen every day in practice, Braiden every day in practice, Kris Jenkins and the list goes on and on. Just going up those dudes every day in practice is going to make it that much easier in the game.
On what goals he has for spring
I feel like the biggest thing for me is controlling what I can control. Sometimes you want things to happen overnight and success to happen right away. I just feel like staying consistent and, like I said, with the talent here, there's going to be plays where I make a great play and there's going to be plays where somebody might do something better than me. I just feel like every day just attacking it and trying to get better. Just the little intricate details, I already mentioned blocking but footwork, hand placement, stuff like that. Also, the top end of my routes, making sure I'm getting open and coming back to the ball. Negative on breaks, finishing on catches.
On how he handles coming into a new team and lead
I feel that's honestly a challenge, kind of. You go to a place where I was a true junior and only in my third year and I was a team captain and you're in a position where you can be vocal and also lead by example. I feel like anyone that's a leader, yeah, you need to lead by example but you also need to be vocal, you've got to talk to everyone and stuff like that. I feel like coming here and having that background, it can help me. I also have to understand that takes time, you don't just walk into a situation and start telling people what to do or being a leader in that way. I feel like kind of taking a backseat and seeing how everything goes here, getting my feet wet. Getting an understanding for how the guys work here, discipline that this program has. Also, too, I've been in a captain position so taking what I've learned in those scenarios and helping apply it here. I feel like in that process, just being patient and understand my surroundings before I hop into correcting somebody or lead somebody else.
On learning the new offense and the challenges it has as a veteran
It helps, for sure, having played a lot of football at this level. Also, there is a downside a little bit because a lot of the concepts are the same, especially in the pass game, a lot of people run the same stuff but it's a different way of calling it and a different process of getting it to the field. I feel like Coach Newsome has been really helpful and is always open to helping me and the guys. If you have a question you can come up to his office, he always has time to go over scripts and plays. I feel like that's extremely helpful for me. Also, the other tight ends in the roo, have been helpful. Whatever it is that I need or have a question about, they can help me. I've played a good amount of football at this level, I feel like that can help me a lot. It's different a learning curve but something that I am fine with attacking. It will only make me better in the long run.
On what Jack Tuttle brings to the team
I think the biggest thing with Jack, he's just a football junkie. I remember when we first got here, we just got here and we're learning the plays, we don't have scripts yet for practice, Jack is making his own scripts. Going through the plays in his head. He's the kind of guy that loves to do that. As a teammate, he's always willing to go the extra mile. Whether it's in the building or outside the building, if the guys are going to go get dinner, Jack is the first person to mention that. If you want catches after practice, he'll always be there to throw to you. I think little things like that is what Jack brings to the table. I can go on and on, he's just a good dude and a great football player also. Someone that I'm extremely happy to have with me.
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