[jwplayer 9922F0if-XNcErKyb]
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When it comes to Michigan’s starting linebackers, there appears to be very little modesty. And to some degree, it’s warranted.
Middle linebacker Cam McGrone had something of a coming out party in 2020, but it was supposed to be Josh Ross in that position a year ago. However, Ross was injured, and with McGrone stepping up and notching 65 tackles in just his first year as a starter, now that the two will be on the field at the same time, the sky appears to be the limit for this group.
Ross’ excitement, when speaking to the media last week via Zoom, was palpable. He emphatically stated: ‘My feeling is we’re gonna be the best linebacker group in the country. And (McGrone) feels exactly the same way.’
Turns out, that’s a correct assessment, at least when it comes to McGrone’s view of the situation.
“I totally agree with that statement,” McGrone said. “I feel like we have the best combination of speed and physicality. Our linebacking group is so smart – even our young guys, they’re catching along really fast. Really little mental errors throughout all the practices. Just a combination of all those things, I think that’s what’s making us the best in the country.”
[lawrence-related id=28281,28276]
So that’s something of a double-down, just from two different players. And when McGrone turns on film, it’s easy to understand why he has such a sentiment.
Ross was supposed to be heir apparent to Devin Bush Jr. at MIKE, having cross-trained between the middle and the WILL position. However, when it didn’t work out that way due to his season-ending injury early last year, he already had WILL on lockdown, given that he platooned at the position along with Devin Gil in 2018.
So all the offseason hype from a year ago comparing Ross to Bush, well — now you have two Bush-type players playing next to each other in the linebacking corps. When McGrone looks back by watching previous practices, he sees two players of the same mold.
“It’s been amazing,” McGrone said. “It’s kind of like being out there with myself sometimes. Sometimes I throw on film, we look like the same. We’re moving the same, taking the same steps, same things. It’s really kinda crazy. Just like Mike (Barrett) – my freshman year, second semester, me and Josh are roommates, just talking about playing together, how fun that would be. And now we finally get that chance. I’m just scared for everybody else, honestly – I’m scared.”
The two aforementioned are known commodities, but they’re playing alongside someone who doesn’t have that cache just yet.
Now that Khaleke Hudson is with the Washington Football Team in the NFL, we’ll have a new face at VIPER for the first time in three years. Michael Barrett has been patiently waiting his turn since coming onto campus as a former high school quarterback from powerhouse Valdosta (GA) Lowndes. We’ve seen his prowess on special teams multiple times, but how will that translate to the hybrid safety/linebacker position?
McGrone has no doubts that Barrett will take up the mantle of the position and run away with it.
“He’s more than ready in my opinion,” McGrone said. “Me and Mike are boys – we’ve been talking about this year playing together, getting out there flying around. He’s definitely more than ready, physically and mentally. He’s been there. Last year, he was itching to get in, just waiting his turn. Now it’s finally his turn, so he’s itching to go out.”
We won’t know for certain just how good this linebacking corps might be until one month from now on Oct. 24, when Michigan travels to Minnesota for the renewed season opener.
[vertical-gallery id=28211]