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Michigan football captain might be team’s ‘most underrated player’

Chris Balasby:Chris Balas08/26/24

Balas_Wolverine

Michigan Wolverines tight end Max Bredeson (44) looks on during a practice session before the College Football Playoff national championship game against the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan Wolverines tight end Max Bredeson (44) looks on during a practice session before the College Football Playoff national championship game against the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan still has plenty of elite talent on its roster despite losing a dozen and a half or so elite to very good players from a National Championship team. One who isn’t included in that category might be elite at what he does, teammates say — and many believe he’s being overlooked. 

Max Bredeson’s brother, Ben, was a two-time Michigan captain who watched his younger brother contribute to last year’s elite, national champion squad. He’ll watch him again this year as a proud big brother of another U-M captain in the family after Max was voted in by his teammates last week. 

“It’s been a crazy, crazy journey from 2021 when I walked on here as a high school QB, and I played 56 games in high school,” Bredeson said. “Luckily, I got the opportunity to walk on here, just kind of hoping for the opportunity just to get here and go through all of it. I’m grateful for the journey and everything that’s come with it.

“I never really would have thought I would get this far but, I’m grateful that it happened. I’ll just keep being the same good guy. The special part about Michigan is that everyone is so in line here that there’s an [expectation] that’s been built, and we can talk about just keeping it there. Captains that we’ve selected and the other leaders that are in this building, we all work just to keep in that same line and the blueprints there … just keep building off them.”

So far, it’s been just as they hoped. Though there are question marks at quarterback and receiver, the running game has been very good, with the revamped offensive line having held its own against an elite defense. Bredeson has helped, leading the way with his physicality like he did last year and embracing his role as “paver” for outstanding running backs. 

Several have told us he’s one of the guys who sets the tone for all of it, adding he’s a great leader and “one of the most underrated players on the offense.”

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“There’s so much great leadership in this program … but there are so many things you can think of from each guy that there’s been such a good standard of what the captain looks like,” the Michigan H-Back/tight end continued.” It’s a real honor to be able to hold that.

“What makes this place so special is that every detail is taken into account every day. Details of this program we built in the way we line up our shoes in the weight room, the way we put down water bottles or helmets … every detail is being treated like championship right now.”

It’s been shown to work at Michigan, Bredeson noted, and as they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

“We’re proud of the way we get after it,” he said. 

And now, proud he’s one who gets to help them all uphold the high standard of excellence as a Michigan captain. 

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