Michigan spring ball quick-hitters: ‘Quest to Atlanta’ drill, ‘overall intensity’ of the program

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan Wolverines football senior fullback/tight end Max Bredeson, graduate offensive lineman Josh Priebe and senior EDGE TJ Guy met with the media Monday afternoon. Here are quick-hitters on the most interesting things they said.

FB/TE Max Bredeson

• Bredeson plays both fullback and tight end, but he said he pictures himself as the former. He’s willing to do “whatever Michigan needs me to do to help win.”

• Bredeson loves Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore‘s “SMASH” tag line. He thrives on physicality and said practices have been very physical this spring.

• An example of the physicality is Michigan’s well-documented ‘Beat Ohio’ drill, which is 9-on-7 and run plays up the middle. The Wolverines have added a new drill, Bredeson revealed — the ‘Quest to Atlanta’ period of practice. That’s also a smash-mouth period but 11-on-11. The national championship game will be played Jan. 20, 2025 in Atlanta, of course.

• Many players have mentioned Michigan junior tight end Marlin Klein as someone who’s emerged this spring. Bredeson said he is “developing like crazy.”

• New Michigan tight ends coach Steve Casula actually recruited Bredeson to U-M, so the two have a tight bond. Casula spent the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator at UMass, after working as an offensive analyst in Ann Arbor.

• Bredeson was asked if there are any differences between the program under Jim Harbaugh and now under Moore, and he said it “still feels like the same Michigan.” Many of his teammates have echoed that same sentiment this spring, though Guy mentioned today that it’s still early and he’s sure some changes will be made.

• Last season, Michigan was heavily motivated by the 2022 College Football Playoff semifinal loss to TCU. Bredeson was asked what is fueling them this offseason, and he mentioned that it’s attempting to meet the standard that they’ve already set for themselves as defending national champions.

OL Josh Priebe

• A Northwestern transfer, Priebe committed to Michigan in December, when Harbaugh was still the head coach. He said he was told in the recruiting process that a coaching change could happen and that Moore would likely be promoted. It played out like that, and Priebe didn’t flinch, saying he “wasn’t devastated either way.”

• Priebe said practices are more competitive than they were at Northwestern, and he said the “overall intensity” of the Michigan program is a key difference between the two teams.

• Going against junior defensive tackles Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham has made Priebe better, he said, noting that he’s never gone against players with that kind of ability.

• The “overall excellence” of the Michigan program drew Priebe in during his transfer recruitment. Player development and the strength program were crucial, with Priebe saying he believes U-M can help him reach his dream of playing in the NFL.

• Priebe was skeptical about how he’d fit in with a new team but said everyone has welcomed him in “with open arms.”

• While at Northwestern, Priebe caught glimpses of Michigan’s offensive line while watching film of defenses that had played the Wolverines over the years and was impressed.

• Priebe said Michigan is moving offensive linemen around to different positions this spring but that he’s mostly been playing at left guard.

EDGE TJ Guy

• Guy said he’s become “stronger” and “bigger” and is working on his pass rush and run stopping skills this offseason. He’s clearly been making strides, since a lot of his teammates have said he’s a breakout candidate.

• Guy said practices are harder than games, so he should be prepared to play a key role on Saturdays.

• Guy mentioned the many Michigan edge rushers that he’s played with — including Aidan Hutchinson, David Ojabo and Mike Morris — which has also helped his progression.

• Sophomore EDGE Cameron Brandt is playing on the field side and is impressing.

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