INDIANAPOLIS – Day 1 of player interviews are in the books at the NFL Scouting Combine and it is safe to say that Michigan was well represented.
Although none of the eight Wolverines invitees have spoken to reporters yet, Michigan and Western Michigan had two players each on Wednesday.
The main conclusion among the group? They look for an opportunity and do their best to get it. This means showing NFL staff a wide variety of skills and flexibility this week, which is important for end players to improve their stock.
We will indeed delve deeper on Thursday, with some heavy strikers on deck (Hassan Haskins, Kenneth Walker III), but here are some of the best quotes that didn’t make it to the end of the stories for one reason or another:
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• “It was the best thing that ever happened to Michigan. He brought out the competitiveness of all, the aspiration, the motivation to turn the program every day. And that showed with our season. ” – successor to the state of Michigan Jalen Naylor to head coach Mel Tucker, who has just finished his second season at East Lansing.
• “Last season one of my goals was to be able to beat a team from Power 5. Coming from a group of 5, the MAC conference, everyone has this mentality – this chip on their shoulder – that they can perform and show that they can to play.
“Being able to win Pete against a good team and a great quarterback was great. It just shows that hard work and dedication pay off. ” “Quarterback of Western Michigan.” Caleb Elebiin the Broncos’ 44-41 victory over Pete on September 18.
• “You have never arrived. No matter how good people strive to be, no matter how you play, you have to come in every day as if someone will take your job. You always try to be number 1. There is always someone coming for you. They are always trying to hire and find someone else. It’s just like college – you’re always trying to find the next person. “
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• “AB (Antonio Brown) was this man when I was growing up. I always tried to emulate him in high school. Whatever you say about AB, you can’t take away the work it puts into the game. ” “Receiver in Western Michigan.” Sky Moorewho grew up in the Pittsburgh suburbs and says he worships Antonio Brown.
• “It brought very explosive dynamics. You guys saw it – from the first scrimmage game, it took you all the way home. Hardworking, modest man and a man who will always work day after day. And I really liked that about him. He encouraged me every day to be better for him. Sometimes he’ll tell me, “Turn around and take this block and I’ll let it go.” That was the connection we were building – just trusting each other, having fun. ” – successor to the state of Michigan Jalen Naylorfor playing with running back Kenneth Walker III.
• “It was a great performance. This game – a lot of people talk about it. But the biggest thing is that we managed to manage as a team. It just showed what we have as a team. Obviously Pete’s victory was great, but every week you go out and try to do your best. And this week we finally performed as best we could. We faced a good team – the ACC champions – and we had a good performance. That was a blessing. ” “Quarterback of Western Michigan.” Caleb Elebi in his 23-for-34, 337-yard, 3-TD game against Pittsburgh.
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• “It would be a dream come true. But I don’t care where I play. I just want to play football. My whole family is from Pittsburgh, and my brother is Cam Hayward, Captain Steelers, I think it would be great to learn from him and see how it all happens. I learned a lot from him, but I’ve never played with him – and I think it would be extremely cool.
“They also have Edmunds and the Allen brothers. They are a team that likes to have many siblings, and in Michigan we had a large number of siblings. I think it helps to look at your older brother and push you to higher limits. “- Hard end of Michigan Connor Hayward playing with his brother Cameron Hayward of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• “Oh, this is my mother trying to be a little creative. You know? She put two Y’s. There’s really no story. All of me, my brother and my sister – we all have Y in our name. Skye, Lake and Landin. “Receiver in Western Michigan.” Sky Moorewhy it has an extra “y” in its own name.