Michigan fifth-year senior linebacker Mike McCray will be one of the few veterans on the Wolverines’ defense in 2017. Having started all of last year, McCray will be looked at as a role model for the numerous key youngsters on that side of the ball.
After dealing with injuries for basically his whole career, McCray spoke about finally being able to play a full season in 2016, and how that experience helped him.
“Playing a full year is an advantage, because I come in now with a lot of confidence,” he explained. “I know the defense now, and I can help other people if they have questions or make a mistake, instead of the coach having to do it all the time.
“Last year you’d see certain plays since you’re playing against your own offense every day in practice, so now I just pick up on things faster. You just have to read your keys, and that’s really all there is to it.”
Much has been made about how young Michigan’s defense will be in 2017, but McCray explained that teams lose lots of players every year.
“People leave every year, so you’re always going to have different players,” he said. “Last year we lost like 20 guys and brought in like 30. The freshmen came in this year full steam ahead and are out there having fun with us, so we’re all together now.
“It’s an exciting group, and people have different expectations because we’re young, but we have high expectations for ourselves, and we’re just looking forward to getting on the field.”
McCray spoke about two youngsters in particular, one of which reminds the fifth-year senior of a younger version of himself.
“Me and [freshman linebacker] Jordan Anthony kind of have the same demeanor,” he said. “He’s a laidback guy and doesn’t really talk a lot, but when he hits the field he goes hard every play — pretty much all the freshmen linebackers are like that. They’re pretty quiet, laidback guys, but give it all they’ve got on the field.
“[Sophomore VIPER] Khaleke Hudson is really athletic and he’s not afraid to hit you either, so he’s going to have a big year.”
Finally, McCray touched on how he has developed into a leader during his five years at Michigan.
“I know how to be more vocal,” he revealed. “I never used to talk that much on the field, but I have to mentally do it now. I feel like I’ve learned to do it, and I motivate my teammates to do it.”
If the youngsters on Michigan’s defense wind up being anything like McCray, that side of the ball will be in darned good shape in 2017.
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