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The Michigan Wolverines are currently involved in preparations for the Citrus Bowl against Alabama on New Years Day in Orlando and on Sunday night they officially put their 2019 season to somewhat of a close at The Schemmy Awards at Crisler Center. The awards banquet brought together the team to hand out some hardware (more on that later) and also provided opportunities for players to speak to the media.
Given that bowl season is starting to become popular for players sitting out to preserve their NFL Draft status, naturally Michigan players were going to be asked about this. They had a handful of guys sit out last year in Karan Higdon, Devin Bush and Rashan Gary, but that does not seem like the case for this group.
Here are what a handful of players said after the awards dinner and they all seem to be on the same page.
Defensive end Kwity Paye: “I don’t think anybody’s going to sit out. I feel like we should end the season strong. I feel like a lot of our teammates didn’t end the season strong, and I feel like this is a good way to do that.”
Linebacker Jordan Glasgow: “I wouldn’t expect anyone who can play to not play. We’re playing a very good Alabama team, and if you perform there you create a very good situation for yourself going forward. So, if anyone wants to sit out, I would say not to. I would recommend not to, because we’re playing a very good team and we have an opportunity to leave the team on a good note.”
Quarterback Shea Patterson: “Hopefully nobody’s sitting out. I already talked to Josh Metellus, and we’re playing. I don’t think anybody has any room to sit out this game. I think, if anything, it’s an opportunity for the seniors. If they’re thinking about sitting out, it would only hurt them.”
Linebacker Josh Uche is the only guy to declare for the NFL Draft so far, but he stated in his initial release that he will be playing in the Citrus Bowl. Other than that, it seems as if the Wolverines may likely have their full arsenal (outside of the transferring Tarik Black) in Orlando a few weeks from now.
Alabama may be in a similar spot with star wideout Jerry Jeudy stating over the weekend that he would be playing and the buzz out of Tuscaloosa suggests that many of his teammates may follow suit.
Schemmy Awards Winners
As was previously stated, Michigan handed out its team awards on Sunday night in Ann Arbor. Here is the full list of guys that left Crisler with honors from the program.
- Dr. Arthur Robinson Scholarship Award: Louis Grodman
- Scout Team Players of the Year (Offense, Defense, Special Teams): OL Zach Carpenter, DE David Ojabo, ST Jared Davis
- Most Improved Players (Offense, Defense, Special Teams): RB Hassan Haskins, S Brad Hawkins, ST Peter Bush
- Ufer Spirit Award: Joey Files
- Roger Zatkoff Award (Top Linebacker): Jordan Glasgow
- Richard Katcher Award (Top Defensive Lineman/outside LB): Aidan Hutchinson and Kwity Paye
- Hugh H. Rader Award (Top Offensive Linemen): Jon Runyan Jr. and Ben Bredeson
- Offensive Skill Player of the Year: WR Ronnie Bell
- Defensive Skill Player of the Year: CB Ambry Thomas
- Toughest Player of the Year Award: Ben Mason
- Rookie of the Year (Offense, Defense, Special Teams): RB Zach Charbonnet, S Daxton Hill, KR Giles Jackson
- Special Teams Player of the Year: LB Khaleke Hudson
- Offensive Player of the Year: WR Nico Collins
- Defensive Player of the Year: LB/DE Josh Uche
- Bo Schembechler Most Valuable Player of the Year: QB Shea Patterson
Other Brews
- LSU quarterback Joe Burrow won the Heisman on Saturday night and his speech has already spearheaded a good cause.
- Former Rutgers head coach and Ohio State assistant Chris Ash is expected to become the new defensive coordinator at Texas under Tom Herman.
- Big Ten basketball has been so nuts this year that if Northwestern wins at Michigan State on Wednesday, there will be a 14-way tie for first place in the conference.