Michigan’s starters got a little time off to rest their bodies before gearing up for the Jan. 1 Outback Bowl with intense practices. The seniors have made sure the team hasn’t lost focus, however, and are ready to leave on a high note.
It’s been a nice reprieve from the daily grind, fifth-year senior fullback Khalid Hill acknowledged.
“We’re resting our bodies a little bit while Coach [Jim] Harbaugh has been out recruiting and stuff, but we’re making sure we’re getting the perfect amount of work we need every week,” Hill said. “He’s also been giving us days off to help get our bodies back, so we’ll be ready to go Jan. 1.”
They’re treating the game with South Carolina as a championship game, he continued.
“To finish with a win … that’s the biggest thing,” Hill said. “We don’t want to finish this season with a loss, screw the record up and be 8-5. To try to get that ninth win is the best thing. It would be good for our season, also help the guys coming back next year finish with a win, get momentum going into spring ball and the offseason, get them some confidence going into next season.”
McCray agreed, adding he wanted next season’s squad to start the year on a high note.
“We want to go out and have fun. Don't take anything for granted,” fifth-year senior linebacker Mike McCray added. “You never know … even that year we went 5-7 was terrible, but we built memories from that year. Go out and have fun, play together, build a bond together that you wont’ ever forget.
“Don’t separate when the lows come … stay together. And when the highs are there, stay humble and stay together.”
For McCray, it’s the culmination of a long journey. A shoulder injury nearly sabotaged his career, but he came back to lead two of the best defenses Michigan has seen in years.
He admitted he wasn’t certain he’d even be in position to play a bowl game in his fifth year … or any other game.
“The time I was out it crossed my mind, of course,” he said. “The support of my family, friends, girlfriend and teammates kept me level headed and motivated. I’m here today.
“I’m excited. I’m also excited to play in my last game against South Carolina, my last college game … the last time putting on the winged helmet. After that game, life actually begins. I’ll be on my own, basically, and that will really be the moment I start my life and chasing my dreams.”
NOTES
• McCray believes next year’s Michigan defense will be the best of the last three years.
“They have a lot of talent,” he said. “[Sophomore linebacker] Devin Bush is going to be the man next year. [Junior safety] Tyree Kinnel, I think he and [redshirt junior end] Chase [Winovich] will be the only two seniors back, with [redshirt junior tackle] Bryan Mone.
“They have a lot coming back, a lot of guys that played this year, and I feel like they will be better than this year’s and last year’s defense.”
The freshmen linebackers, Drew Singleton, Josh Ross and Jordan Anthony, are all impressive, he added.
“They’re going to have great competition,” he said. “They’re all athletic, fast, pretty smart, as well … dominating bowl practices. They’ll’ all be pretty good.
“All three came in here ready to play physical, fast. They just didn’t know the game as much. You can see them learning the ins and outs, and there’s a bright future for all of them.”
• McCray said he, Hill and others will likely work out at the EXOS training center in San Diego in preparation for NFL tryouts.
“We had a lot of guys go out to San Diego last year, eight or nine,” McCray said. “You do a lot of research, call to see to weigh your options.
“You check on guys you’ll be working out with, how many people they have, trainers, position groups who you’re going to work with. Results they had in the past, things like that.
“For me, I feel like EXOS is probably best overall from a training and nutrition standpoint, to get my body right.”
• McCray ended the regular season with one of his best games, notching 11 tackles in a loss to Ohio State.
“Coach [Don] Brown told me it was the best game I ever played here at Michigan,” McCray said. “Just one of those games. I just felt good playing my hardest, my heart out. … just wanted to go out with a bang a little bit. We just didn’t come out with the win.”
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