Your 2022 Football captains
Cade McNamara, Mazi Smith, Erick All, Ronnie Bell, and Mike Sainristil
https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/2022/08/25/michigan-football-announces-2022-captains/
August 25th, 2022 at 2:56 PM ^
That is a fantastic group of captains! Go Blue!
August 25th, 2022 at 2:59 PM ^
Great all around
August 25th, 2022 at 2:59 PM ^
Wonder who the last sophomore eligibility captain was. Obviously Cade is a fourth year guy and COVID makes it all weird, but still.
August 25th, 2022 at 3:10 PM ^
The backup QB is a captain?
I call shenanigans.
August 25th, 2022 at 3:13 PM ^
:) I want to know who Cade and JJ voted for.
August 25th, 2022 at 5:37 PM ^
JJade
August 25th, 2022 at 3:26 PM ^
McCarthy will be taking over as Captain before end of the year.
EDIT
August 25th, 2022 at 3:18 PM ^
Who was our last WR Captain? Avant?
August 25th, 2022 at 3:19 PM ^
Other than Ronnie Bell last year?
August 25th, 2022 at 3:26 PM ^
Andrew Vastardis is a handsome man. I feel like he should be dipping a bossomy half-naked woman on the cover a pirate romance novel.
August 25th, 2022 at 3:39 PM ^
I'd buy that book
August 25th, 2022 at 5:28 PM ^
Forgot about that. I was asking because it's been a while since we have been legit with all skill positions (especially long since WR).
August 25th, 2022 at 3:21 PM ^
None other than Ronnie Bell, in 2021!
August 25th, 2022 at 5:22 PM ^
Better yet, who was our last QB captain?
August 25th, 2022 at 5:34 PM ^
I think Devin Gardner
August 25th, 2022 at 8:04 PM ^
Correct, Devin was named captain after the 2014 season (per the Bentley: " in ... 2014 game captains were selected for each game and permanent captains were named at the end of the season").
Prior to that, Denard was a captain in 2012, Navarre in 2003, Brady in 1999, Grbac in 1992, Harbaugh in 1986, Dennis Franklin in 1974, etc. It's interesting some of the QBs that weren't captains, such as Henne, Griese, Todd Collins, John Wangler, Rick Leach, etc...
August 25th, 2022 at 8:53 PM ^
Wasn't Shane Patterson named an "honorary captain" by Harbaugh after his teammates didn't vote for him as a captain?
August 25th, 2022 at 9:22 PM ^
Wait, Shea Patterson, or Shane Morris?
August 25th, 2022 at 3:19 PM ^
O Captain! My Captain!
Guessing that we have our starting QB settled. (/s)
August 25th, 2022 at 3:32 PM ^
But it's definitely a good sign. Remember the sideways glances in 2019, when our senior, returning starter QB (Shea) wasn't named one of the captains? Not necessarily the end of the world (it's possible that you have a quieter QB, or that there just happen to be other players that are the emotional leaders of the team), but not a great sign, either, since ideally you want your QB taking the reins and being that leader of the offense. And in retrospect, it wasn't a good sign, with questions about his leadership (and golf game) swirling all year.
We already know Cade has a pretty high floor, and this just raises the floor higher. If that's what we get this year, great, especially if the reports are true and his game improved over the offseason. And if JJ beats him out, great, that means JJ is even better! But at minimum I think it can only be a good sign.
August 25th, 2022 at 3:20 PM ^
Honestly seems like one of the best groups of captains that we've had in years. Team is in good hands.
August 25th, 2022 at 3:22 PM ^
Anybody else surprised Corum isn't one instead of All?
August 25th, 2022 at 3:36 PM ^
Not necessarily. Corum's only in his third season, whereas All and McNamara are both in their fourth (and All played extensively as a true freshman to boot). Not surprised that they went with older players.
August 25th, 2022 at 3:44 PM ^
I was kind of expecting Corum as well, because by all accounts he's the first guy in/last guy out type of dude. His time comes next year (crosses fingers that he doesn't jump to the NFL).
August 25th, 2022 at 5:41 PM ^
Unfortunately, it seems like running backs should jump to the NFL as soon as they have a good chance, considering the wear and tear that comes with the position.
Although I suppose you could make the argument that they should get a degree since RB careers are so short.
August 25th, 2022 at 5:41 PM ^
His NIL will definitely be more incentive for him to return. Totally understand if enters the draft though.
August 25th, 2022 at 3:29 PM ^
Is Mike Sainristil the special teams captain, or does the team plan on having him play a big role in his move to defense. Now sure how that works, but way to go Mike Sainristil.
August 25th, 2022 at 7:32 PM ^
I think they are team captains not necessarily offense defense or special teams
August 25th, 2022 at 3:36 PM ^
Great choices
August 25th, 2022 at 3:38 PM ^
Love it, Go Blue!!!
August 25th, 2022 at 3:40 PM ^
I hear that Cade's new band, The Intangibles, is playing Michigan Stadium next weekend.
August 25th, 2022 at 4:11 PM ^
I know their music. They’re on tour with Mazi Smith and the Freak Show, and Jake Moody’s band Weird No More.
August 25th, 2022 at 3:41 PM ^
Team Cade ftw
August 25th, 2022 at 3:48 PM ^
Is Cade's "C" outlined in cyan?
August 25th, 2022 at 3:53 PM ^
Great leadership. Excited to see what this team can do.
August 25th, 2022 at 4:00 PM ^
Congratulations to all of them. Very deserving.
Especially neat to see Sainrstil. He is just a good hard nosed football player whose story is yet to be written.
A great athlete, a willing blocker at WR, and he seems like a natural in coverage.
I think we are going to watch his growth at nickel this season with much enjoyment.
August 25th, 2022 at 5:31 PM ^
I never understood why he was moved to defense. He had a good year in 2021 and made quite a few clutch plays. I understand the WR room is loaded and talented but it just makes me wonder what the other wr are doing better than him.
Is it a depth issue on defense?
August 25th, 2022 at 5:42 PM ^
That diving catch at Nebraska immediately comes to mind.
August 25th, 2022 at 8:25 PM ^
Is it a depth issue on defense?
Well for one thing, yes, I'd say depth is a huge concern on defense. The only position that really doesn't have a huge drop off from starter(s) to backup(s) (whether due to youth or talent) is DE, and that's only because no one has really separated themself as a worthy successor to Hutchinson and Ojabo. Depth is pretty scary across the board on defense.
I understand the WR room is loaded and talented but it just makes me wonder what the other wr are doing better than him.
This is it, though. We're loaded at WR (and TE, and RB). Sainristil is a slot, and in the slot you have Bell back from injury (apparently far and away the best WR on a team loaded with talented WRs), as well as Henning who is better in the open field. On the outside, you have Wilson and Anthony who are both total package WRs, in addition to Johnson who also has big play ability. All and Schoonmaker are both great receivers as well as great blockers, making them huge mismatches that don't tip run or pass. Corum and Edwards are threats to take it to the house on every touch, with Edwards himself being one hell of a receiver (not to mention QB). Sainristil is talented, but who are you taking out to give him snaps?
August 25th, 2022 at 8:29 PM ^
I think it’s a bit of both.
We have guys that are more explosive especially if Ronnie is at full strength. Sainrstil was one of the better downfield blockers we have had at WR which can win you games.
But his coverage skills look natural and he has hardly played the position.
He is just a natural football player and and I’m betting he plays really well at nickel. Yes they are probably not making that move if the depth on defense was better.
This might be a good long term career move.
August 25th, 2022 at 8:34 PM ^
I think he wanted to play receiver but the team was really high on him as a DB during recruiting. He’s a really good athlete and can do both. I think this is actually Harbaugh helping him out with regards to the next level. He did the same move with Richard Sherman junior year at Stanford. Jim knows the league. He wanted James Hudson to make the switch going to OT and lead to his transfer to Cincinnati who promptly moved him to OT where he was drafted.
August 25th, 2022 at 4:25 PM ^
That's a good group of boys!
August 25th, 2022 at 5:34 PM ^
All great choices. I'm excited for this team. Cade may not by JJ in the athleticism department, but boy does he display that X factor that, shall I say, Brady had and still has.
August 25th, 2022 at 8:00 PM ^
Being able to read a defense, make the correct adjustments, and execute effectively - will never go out of style. Wishing them all a solid season…. Go Blue!
August 25th, 2022 at 6:23 PM ^
Doesnt get much better than those guys...excellent choices
August 25th, 2022 at 6:35 PM ^
Mazi come a looong way, welcome beastmode.
August 25th, 2022 at 8:32 PM ^
Something he should be proud of that’s for sure. I don’t think many folks would have predicted Mazi as a captain after his freshman year.
August 25th, 2022 at 6:53 PM ^
What a collection of character-driven athletes. They've all been through the fire together (2020), now they have sanctioned leadership. I hope the young'uns are listening...