Michigan players met the media Tuesday night in Ann Arbor. Here’s plenty of what we picked up, including high praise for a few young Wolverines.
The first — freshman defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Fifth-year senior Lawrence Marshall insisted Hutchinson would be an All-American before he left U-M, extremely high praise.
Junior defensive end Rashan Gary has taken him under his wing, and though the two don’t spend time together off the field, Gary is always with Hutchinson in the building.
“Coming in here, getting coached and being mentored by one of the best defensive linemen in the country … I'm really blessed to have the opportunity from Rashan and all the coaching he’s done for me," Hutchinson said.
Told of Marshall’s comments, Hutchinson blushed a bit.
“That’s cool, but I’ve got a lot to work on,” he said, noting his dad (former Michigan defensive lineman Chris Hutchinson) reminded him all the time that he’s already done it. But his dad doesn't have to motivate him.
“I set the bar high for myself, I think,” he said. “Obviously, him being an All-American here, that’s a high standard for me. But I set my own expectations for myself.”
Hutchinson said he came into the Notre Dame wide eyed, “freaking out a little bit” on his first play because he came in late and didn’t know the play. He’s done notihng but improve since.
Redshirt junior tight end Zach Gentry said he knew right away Hutchinson would be a good one.
“He’s really good, one of those guys from the first couple days we had pads on during camp … it was like, ‘this kid is going to be pretty special,’” he said. “He’s really physical, does not pay like a freshman. He has a lot of confidence, comes off the ball really fast. He’s going to be a really good player.”
Hutchinson said he hoped fans got a taste of the future a bit when he and sophomore Kwity Paye lined up together in the Nebraska game.
****
Marshall, meanwhile, said he never considered not returning for a fifth year. He said he knew there was an opening with Mo Hurst leaving, and he had faith in his ability to play at this level and didn’t want to go the easier route and try to spend a fifth year somewhere else as a grad transfer.
Marshall’s tipped pass led to a pick on Nebraska’s first drive and possibly prevented a touchdown. Junior safety Josh Metellus picked it off.
“I wish I would have picked it, too,” Marshall quipped.
He said he just followed defensive line coach Greg Mattison’s advice to get a hand up on the play, and it paid off.
****
Finally, teammates have come to love redshirt freshman quarterback Dylan McCaffrey. He showed his moxie when he came into the huddle in the Notre Dame game, Gentry said.
“Shea [Patterson] was cramping up, but right away you could tell Dylan brought confidence in the huddle, didn’t skip a beat, went in and completed a pass, did what he needed to do,” Gentry said. “He really impressed. He came in and took command, and he’s been that way ever since … talks steady, goes in and makes plays.”
McCaffrey said the quarterbacks had all gotten much closer since Patterson arrived and it was a bit ‘standoffish.’ Gentry said McCaffrey is one of the guys who always stays after practice to throw with his receivers and work on routes and timing.
A few other notes …
Gentry said he still likes to throw the ball and has tried to plant the seed on a few trick plays.
“I pitch ‘em,” he said with a laugh. “We’ll see. I’m in a whole ‘nother realm now. I’m a blocker and pass catcher.”
He did throw the ball 70 yards in high school, he said.
Finally, freshman receiver Ronnie Bell has become one of McCaffrey’s favorites.
“He has a very high ceiling,” McCaffrey said. “He’s a guy I’ve been working with on route running. He’s a capable receiver, but talk about an athlete … he’s as good as they come. It’s already showing out there.
“I’m excited to watch where he goes.”
---
• Talk about this article inside The Fort
• Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes
• Learn more about our print and digital publication, The Wolverine
• Follow us on Twitter: @TheWolverineMag, @BSB_Wolverine, @JB_ Wolverine, @AustinFox42, @Balas_Wolverine, @DrewCHallett and @Qb9Adam.
• Like us on Facebook
