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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — With the Ohio State game significantly stalling several Michigan players’ momentum after a several week stretch of solid outings, it looks like any Wolverines intending on departing the program early for the NFL have something to think about.
It’s been a nouveau trend since 2016 for many who are departing their program who aren’t in the College Football Playoff to opt to abstain from participating in their final intercollegiate contest. Last season, Michigan had several not participate, whether it be due to injuries they were nursing or out of fear of sustaining an injury in the bowl game.
This season, however, it doesn’t look like any Wolverines are intending on taking that course, as the team has had the full complement of healthy players participate in all three practices up until Sunday thus far, with the VRBO Citrus Bowl only a few weeks away now.
“I don’t think we’ve had as a team that conversation,” junior defensive end Kwity Paye said. “But just talking in the locker room, a bunch of us, a few of us expect to play in the game. We’ve all been practicing. No one’s been sitting out from practice or stuff like that.”
What’s more, given how things shook out in the final game of the regular season, several guys want to prove that they’re better than they showed against the Buckeyes.
And there’s no better opportunity to prove their value than in the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Alabama — arguably the most talented team in the country.
The Crimson Tide continually bring in the nation’s best recruiting class, a product of fielding a team that has never missed the College Football Playoff since its 2014 inception until this year. Only once in that timeframe did Alabama not advance to the final game.
Paye notes that this game can be utilized as a showcase. Instead of waiting for the various senior bowls or the NFL Scouting Combine come spring, players can show off their ability and capability against top-tier talent in just a few short weeks.
“After practice today, (strength and conditioning) Coach Herbert was talking about this is a money game,” Paye said. “There’s a lot of first-round guys on that team. Lavert Hill has the opportunity to play against first-round talent. Our D-line has a chance to play against first-round talent as it’s a heckuva O-line, as you know.
“It’s huge for us that we’ve got an opportunity to play against that talent and show the NFL scouts what we can do.”
Beyond that, Paye says this is a last time for the outgoing players to suit up one last time with their brothers.
“I feel like the bond we have with the guys on this team, they wouldn’t want to sit out,” Paye said. “It’ll be their last game to play with this team. I feel like they’ll wanna play.”
The VRBO Citrus Bowl kicks off on Jan. 1 at 1PM EST at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
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