Erick All seconds Jim Harbaugh’s surprise Michigan offensive player
The 2022 Michigan team appears loaded, with talented veterans and young guys alike ready to contribute this year … including Max Bredeson. The sophomore has worked his way up the depth chart in only a year and a half — and while he might still be a year or two away, he’s “going to play,” head coach Jim Harbaugh noted this spring.
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Bredeson — younger brother of former Michigan All-Big Ten lineman Ben Bredeson, now a New York Giant — joined the program as a preferred walk-on. The Arrowhead (Wis.) High standout played quarterback there, but he moved to tight end in hopes of eventually seeing the field.
He knew it wouldn’t be easy. The Wolverines are loaded at the position, led by senior Erick All and grad student Luke Schoonmaker. Young talent like Louis Hansen, Matt Hibner, and others are also waiting in the wings, while veterans Joel Honigford and Carter Selzer are also back.
But when Harbaugh went down the list of standouts after spring ball, he saved some of his highest praise for the 6-2, 222-pounder.
“Young Max Bredeson, he did it all spring. He really did,” Harbaugh said. “He was popping all spring, making plays and blocking. Looking like a real player.”
He was making the majority of those plays when the Michigan third string was playing against the other threes, Harbaugh admitted. But Bredeson also caught three passes for 34 yards, including a 21-yarder, when the “good on good” was on the field in the spring game.
“It was equal competition. I was excited to see how he was going to do in that environment going against some of the starters, and he acquitted himself really well again,” Harbaugh said.
All, asked for his opinion on the state of the room after the four veterans leave after this year, said the position is in good hands.
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“[Freshman] Marlin Klein. We have [junior] Matt Hibner, and we have [frosh] Colston [Loveland]. We have [sophomore] Lou [Hansen],” he said.
But he, too, saved some of his highest praise for the preferred walk-on.
“We have Max Bredeson, who nobody really knows about,” All said. “I’m excited, because Max Bredeson is the type of guy who’s just like me — he’s fast, he’s strong, he catches the ball great. He gets up in the air, and he doesn’t care about his body.
“He’s a beast. He’s just probably a little undersized — people may think he’s a little undersized — but man, he plays like he’s the biggest guy on the field.”
It’s the extra effort and the “try hard” that makes Bredeson stand out, Harbaugh said. He “just gets to balls, dives, just gives everything he has for the six seconds during a play,” the coach said.
All admitted he was surprised when Bredeson broke out this spring— but only for a bit.
“Knowing his older brother, I was like, ‘Yeah, it makes sense,’” he said. “He’s a beast. I can’t wait for people to see what he has to offer.”
At the very least, Bredeson will likely be a big-time contributor on special teams this year. But it’s clear he’s one to watch for the future, and proof that— once again — some good football players slip through the cracks when being evaluated by recruiting experts.
