ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It’s a different world, being in the Midwest compared to being in the Pacific Northwest. That became apparent quickly as Michigan football traveled to Seattle to take on new Big Ten member Washington in Week 6.
But one member of the Wolverines was home, as freshman tight end Hogan Hansen grew up in the shadow of Husky Stadium, across Lake Washington over in Bellevue, part of suburban Seattle.
Though Hansen didn’t register any stats and only had three snaps on punt return, according to PFF, it was good to suit up for his new team in a stadium he’s well familiar with.
“It didn’t really feel like a way game,” Hansen said. “I played my last high school football game there. I played my state championship there. So, I mean, it was good just to be back. Felt good to be home.”
But why did Hansen choose to play football somewhere that was so unfamiliar and over 2,000 miles away? Well, when he came to Ann Arbor for the first time, it was readily apparent that this was his adopted home, where the people made him feel welcome in ways he didn’t feel at other programs.
“I think just the people and the culture, for sure, is everything as advertised,” Hansen said. “And just when I visited here, I felt different, like people really care about each other here, and they want to see everyone else succeed just as much as themselves.”
Of course, this season hasn’t gone as he certainly had hoped. As an early enrollee, he got to feel much of the afterglow of Michigan’s national championship run. But now the Wolverines are 4-3 and struggling particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
However, Hansen says he still feels the love and support that he felt during his recruitment. And in some ways, he feels like this learning experience is one where he can really grow.
“I mean, like, if you’re a Michigan man, this is what you live for, to go through times like this,” Hansen said. “Just drive on and this is where your character is really tested. And I think that’s like, I wouldn’t want to be at any other program.”
Hansen had four catches for 50 yards — a career-high as he only had one catch for nine yards and a touchdown in Week 3 — against Illinois this past week. He’ll suit up in a winged helmet again on Saturday as the maize and blue are set for his first rivalry game, against MSU.
