The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1184078
DECEMBER 2019 THE WOLVERINE 29 close to having that feeling. It's something not a lot of people get to do, and it was a privilege to get to do that. "I only get to do it a few more times, and I'm going to make the most out of every opportunity." WORKING HIS WAY UP That attitude showed when he ar- rived in Ann Arbor after playing pri- marily against Mid-American Con- ference competition. Danna knew he had to bulk up to compete in the Big Ten, and he had one of the best in the business to help him in strength coach Ben Herbert. Michigan coaches, meanwhile, didn't make him any promises. Har- baugh trusted Moore's opinion on Danna's work ethic and fit, but it was up to the transfer to do the rest. He didn't waste any time. "They told me they were looking for depth. Whatever I can do to help the defense, that's what I'm going to do," Danna said of his mindset. "Coming in I was about 240, 242 pounds; by the end of summer I was around 260. I put in the work, and I put in the time. Coach Herb guided me through it, and we made it happen. "I feel stronger, faster and quicker. I'm pleased with it, and he's pleased with it. I'm only looking to get better." He has, with each game. After re- cording no sacks and seven quar- terback pressures in the first four games — five of which came in the opener against Middle Tennessee State — Danna logged 14 pressures over the next five outings, including the two sacks. Putting heat on the quarterback is Danna's goal and forte. If he can't do that, he's going to do his job to main- tain his rush lanes and still go all out, feeling he owes it to the people who brought him here and to those who helped build Michigan's legacy. Each morning, Danna said, he looks in the mirror and tells himself, 'If you're going to be this big guy on the field, you've got to live up to it.' "I check myself every morning … I knew what I signed up for, and I'm working," he noted. Though he has NFL aspirations and even looked into the possibility after his last season at Central Michi- gan, his focus is only on the here and now in Ann Arbor. "My goals are to be the best foot- ball player I can be for this team," Danna said. "Whether it's on the field, off the field, just be the person that can hold people accountable, respect the game, be coachable, be understanding. "I feel like I'm at a good point right now. Since I've been here, I feel like I've been coachable. I'm not trying to act like I know everything. I try to be humble and respect the game, because you never know when the game could be taken away from you." In his case, too, he only gets to live his dream for a year, compared to his teammates' three or four. And what a year it's been already. The defense has picked it up dra- matically since giving up 350-plus rushing yards in a loss at Wisconsin, and Danna called it an "honor" to be part of Brown's defense that preaches physicality, aggressiveness, and be- ing quick and relentless. "It feels like I just got here a week ago," he admitted. "One minute it's May, then the summer went by in a snap of the fingers, fall camp went by in a snap, now we're already halfway through the season. I'm just trying to enjoy the most out of all these op- portunities. "It's coming to an end, unfortu- nately. I'm just trying to make the most out of every opportunity I get with my teammates, coaches and ev- erybody. "It's just great to be on this team. All the hard work pays off, and you just have to keep pushing the extra mile. If you fall eight times, get up a ninth. If you fall nine times, get up a 10th. You never know what play can change the game. You've just got to give it your all." He's done that, and completed everything asked of him and more. Danna took a chance on himself with a risk that paid off. "I knew it was a gamble, but I knew the work I would put in," he said. "You get what put in. If you put in a lot of work, something good is going to come out of it. "I've always heard good things happen to good people. I put in a lot of work this summer, knew what I was getting myself into and gambled on myself because I knew at the end of the day I can do it." He's on his way to leaving a short but sweet legacy, upholding his end of the bargain as a Michigan Man. ❏ Danna's 24 tackles in the first nine games included a pair of sacks and a forced fumble. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN