The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/495628
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? That's what I believe my experience there taught me. "It doesn't mean everything goes great. There's going to be adversity even at the highest level of success. But everyone has to go through their own challenges. That was mine, and I wouldn't have traded it." ❑ The Tripp Welborne File Michigan Accomplishments: Notched 227 tackles, eight interceptions, eight passes broken up and two fumble recoveries in three years at safety … Also re- turned 67 punts for 773 yards, an average of 11.5 yards per return … Won three Big Ten championships, helped U-M compile a 36-11-1 record and finish ranked in the top 10 each year (No. 4 in 1988, No. 7 in 1989 and No. 7 in 1990) … Won John Maulbetsch Award in 1988 as freshman payer best demonstrating desire, character, and capacity for leadership during spring practice … All-Big Ten and consensus All-American, 1989 and 1990 … Set Michigan's single-season record with his total of 455 punt return yards, a record that stood until 2003 when it was broken by Steve Breaston. Michigan Memory: Welborne remembers the day head coach Bo Schem- bechler asked him to move from receiver to defensive back like it was yesterday. "He called me in the office, told me that we needed work in the defensive backfield, additional support, and that they were considering moving me," Welborne recalled. "As much as a team player as I am, I felt as though there was work to be done offensively. I respectfully said no, I like offense, and he said, 'Very well.' "The next day I showed up and he had a defensive jersey in my locker. I was in a blue jersey one day, I went and had a meeting with him, gave him what I wanted to and, of course, the next day it was the opposite." Welborne assumed it would be temporary, but he proved too good to move back. "The first play that came to my side was a flare pattern, and it just so hap- pened I made a great play on the ball and a big hit, and after that big hit the defense ran up to me and was going crazy," he recalled with a laugh. "I knew I wasn't going back. I had sealed my fate." Professional Accomplishments: Seventh-round draft pick (No. 180 overall) of the Minnesota Vikings in 1990, but could have been a first-round pick if not for a knee injury suffered during his senior campaign … Took a year off to rehab and joined the Vikings in 1992, earning his place on the team … Tore his ACL in game six of his first season playing, rehabbed it and tore it again the following preseason before announcing his retirement. Education: Bachelor's degree from Michigan in 1990 … Later earned his MBA from Queens University of Charlotte McColl Graduate School of Business. Family: Wife, Christy, and two children: daughter Dylan, 12, and son Rayce, 9.