After appearing in last season’s opener against Hawaii as a freshman walk on, wide receiver Nate Schoenle didn’t make another appearance the rest of the year.
However, he dazzled in this past April’s spring game, leading some to believe he could see meaningful playing time in 2017.
So how much did the spring game boost his confidence?
“The fact I was able to show the coaches I could rise to the occasion in a game-like setting was important,” Schoenle explained. “I was grinning ear to ear after making my late big catch in that game. We had 60,000 people there who saw it, so I kind of proved to myself that I could compete at this level and I can make plays at this stage.”
So just how did Schoenele wind up in Ann Arbor?
“I had one scholarship offer to a Division II school, Hillsdale,” he said. “I was interested in Michigan as a school first of all, but then I realized I wanted to play football in college. I really liked Hillsdale a lot, but then I came here on a visit and couldn’t turn it down.
“I’ve loved football since I was a kid. My dad is a Michigan alumnus, so I was a big fan growing up. In fourth grade I begged my mom to let me play football, and in fifth grade she finally did.”
Though he started playing at a young age, Schoenle’s career didn’t actually take off until he was a bit older.
“As a freshman and sophomore in high school, I was on JV and didn’t make varsity until my junior year,” he revealed. “The goal of mine was to make varsity as a sophomore, so I was really disappointed when it didn't happen. I then started on varsity the following year as a junior, and that was significant for me.”
Once he arrived at Michigan, Schoenle said he received plenty of advice from some of the older receivers on the team to help him along.
“Jack Wangler was someone who really helped me, another walk on,” Schoenle said. “He’s a very close friend of mine and he’s been with me the whole way. [Former receivers] Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh and [redshirt junior] Moe Ways have also helped me a lot. You don’t want to forget where you came from, and all the hard work you put in — I always keep that mindset.”
Although it may appear as if playing time will be hard to come by, Schoenle explained that he didn’t come to Michigan to sit on the bench.
“I came here to play football,” he said. “I didn’t come here just to play in practice.”
He could very well get his chance in seven days.
“The coaches tell us to visualize being there [in Arlington, Tex.],” he explained. “We don’t want to run out there and get caught up in the moment. We’re in the grind of camp now, and we’re now at the point where we’re getting ready for the game.”
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