The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/873137
20 THE WOLVERINE OCTOBER 2017 the second to know. My girlfriend was first. It was just one of those moments where you had to tell everybody who has been there for you from day one." Meanwhile, the reaction from team- mates proved swift and positive. The Wolverines assured they're looking for a big season in 2017 and put their stamp of approval on the leaders cho- sen from each side of the football. "Mike and Mason, you couldn't ask for two better guys representing our program," fifth-year senior fullback Henry Poggi noted. "Mason is going to have one helluva season. He's going to be an All-American. "Mike takes every rep. He's also a great player. It's so special for our pro- gram to have these two leaders." "They're two really great leaders and two Michigan guys," added fifth-year senior defensive tackle Maurice Hurst Jr., a leader in his own right. "They always do things right, and they're always there for each other and there for our team. "We were so happy for Mike and Mason. It's such a big honor at Michi- gan. We've had some really great cap- tains in the past, and had really great captains last year in Jake [Butt] and Chris Wormley. "It's leaving that legacy of great cap- tains and great leaders for our team." THE RIGHT STUFF, EVERY TIME The book on Cole sounds almost scripted, given his teammates' reac- tion to him. The senior from Tarpon Springs, Fla., simply does what he ought to do in all situations, according to those watching him closely. That sort of discipline allowed him to jump into the starting lineup as a freshman, and four years later, he's still preaching focus. When Harbaugh took note that this year's offensive line appears serious and dedicated to the task ahead, Cole cautioned it isn't by accident. "We were so close to being so great last year," Cole mentioned. "In terms of the seriousness, if it just takes being a little more serious to win those close games, then that's what we have to do. Our focus this year is realizing how close we were to being in the Big Ten Championship, being in the College Football Playoff. "It's taking it more serious and real- izing the opportunity that we have." Cole himself has always been on the straight and narrow when it comes to his approach to football, teammates insist. Although Cole notes he tries to lead by example, he doesn't mind speaking up, some observe. "He does everything right, all the time," Poggi said. "He just works so hard. He's worked so hard since he's gotten here. You just watch him do anything, and you know that's how it's supposed to be done. He's just an unbelievable leader. "And he doesn't give himself enough credit. He is vocal. He's a great leader." Redshirt sophomore right tackle No- lan Ulizio emerged from fall camp as the starter at his position. He noted how much help he's received from Cole, not only this year but from the very start of his career. "When I was on my visit here, Ma- son was my host," Ulizio said. "We have a special bond. Anything I need help on, I just go to Mason. He's our captain, he's a four-year starter now. "He's very hands on. He's a very ap- proachable guy. Anyone can go up to him and ask him any advice, and he's willing to help anyone out." Fifth-year senior running back Ty Isaac joined the chorus of those insist- ing that Cole was an easy choice to guide the Wolverines on offense. "He's just a 'do stuff right' guy," Isaac assured. "I've never heard of him doing anything wrong. He does the right stuff in practice, does the right stuff off the field. "He's just a good dude and some- body I'm proud to have as a captain." Bob Hudson, head coach of football powerhouse East Lake High School in Tarpon Springs, Fla., saw Cole in the formative stages and knew he'd find success in the game. "He's an unbelievable player, an unbelievable young man," Hudson stressed. "He's everything you want. An extremely hard worker. There's nothing but amazing things to say about him." Hudson recalled a long-and-lanky Cole catching the eye of his offensive line coach in a two-a-day practice dur- ing Cole's freshman year. Looking down at the junior varsity field, the as- sistant asked to give him a try with the big boys, and that began Cole's four starting seasons on the offensive line. "He's on top of it," Hudson offered. "He might be an even better man than he is a player. He's a leader by exam- ple, he's a vocal leader. He does every- thing he's supposed to do. "He's an unbelievable talent. He plays on his feet, he's strong, smart, physical. He learns his opponents, learns their schemes, and listens to his coaches and makes great adjustments." Beyond his play on the field, Cole has already paid some practical divi- dends for the Wolverines. He had to straighten out the officials — in a re- spectful way — prior to the opener in Arlington, Texas, against Florida. Michigan sideline reporter Doug Karsch recalled Cole's first good catch of the season. Karsch noted: "So I go out there for the coin toss, and the official turns and identifies each captain that's speaking: 'Michigan, you're the visitors, and 52 [Cole], you're going to do the talking. Florida, you're the home team and 17, you're going to do the talking.' "Then he said, 'All right, Florida, as the visitors, you're going to make the call.' Mason Cole said, 'Wait, wait, WAIT! Aren't we the visitors?' And the official said, 'Oh yeah, that's right.' So he almost gave the call of the coin to Florida, but Mason Cole stopped him." BIG-PLAY MCCRAY McCray understands how special it is to become a Michigan captain, especially when his dad filled that role for the Buckeyes in 1988. The younger McCray, hailing from Trotwood, Ohio, shakes his head over the achievement. "I thought about that when Coach Harbaugh said we were going to elect Cole is the first offensive lineman to serve as a Michigan captain since Taylor Lewan in 2013. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN