The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/873137
OCTOBER 2017 THE WOLVERINE 19 according to their head coach. "They're both 'Go Blue' guys, both poised to have big years, both starting players, both very good players at the highest level," Jim Harbaugh noted in assessing the duo. "I'm excited about both of our captains and all of our seniors, our leaders. The leadership group is coming together." McCray enjoyed his breakout season a year ago, his first as a starter. The honorable mention All-Big Ten per- former posted a career-high 76 tackles, with 4.5 sacks among 12.5 tackles for loss, and ran one of his two intercep- tions back for a touchdown in the Or- ange Bowl that turned the tide and nearly put the Wolverines over the top against Florida State. The veteran's on-field efforts fol- lowed a long period of attempting to overcome shoulder issues that kept him out the year before. "He had grueling rehab at times, you could tell," Harbaugh said. "When he got healthy he was really good and really durable. He's a by-example type of leader, which is always the most genuine and the best kind. He is some- body who has always taken coaching extremely well. He's been a stalwart … probably the best word to describe him." Cole represents the rare offensive lineman who started as a true fresh- man at Michigan and could wind up with the most career starts ever for the Wolverines. He began as a left tackle, switched to center last season — where he became a second-team All-Big Ten player — then kicked back out to left tackle in his final season. "Mason Cole is character at the high- est level," Harbaugh said. "He's de- veloped into a coach on the field. He is one of the most versatile offensive linemen I've ever been around. "When you can play tackle, start there, last season moved to center, was one of the best in the conference, now back to tackle. He could be an out- standing guard, as well. Intellect, char- acter and ability at the highest level." EMBRACING THE CHALLENGE Both 2017 captains expressed deep gratitude to their teammates. They also offered thanks for many who invested time and support, including their par- ents. Cole and McCray each called home after learning of the election re- sults, one week prior to the opener against Florida. "I called my parents right after," Cole noted. "They were excited. It's a really cool moment when you can tell your parents something that makes them so proud. "It's a lot due to them, too, how they raised me, raised me to be a leader and do the right things. It's a lot of credit to them." Boxer Floyd Mayweather delayed McCray's connection with his dad — former Ohio State football captain Mike McCray Sr. — since the elder McCray was watching a heavyweight bout when the call went out. "I actually called the house first, be- cause I thought my mom and dad were home," McCray noted. "My mom was Cole has started every game of his Michigan career, opening 25 games at left tackle from 2014-15 before starting all 13 tilts last year at center. He's back at left tackle this fall. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN