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Michigan DT Mazi Smith: QB Cade McNamara 'embodies the team'

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•08/25/22•

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Cade McNamara
EJ Holland/On3

Michigan Wolverines football senior defensive tackle Mazi Smith was named a team captain along with three classmates — quarterback Cade McNamara, tight end Erick All and defensive back/wide receiver Mike Sainristil — and graduate wide receiver Ronnie Bell.

McNamara’s selection marks the first time a Michigan quarterback has been named captain under eighth-year head coach Jim Harbaugh. The signal-caller was a team leader last season and taken a step forward this year, even saying at Big Ten Media Days he feels it’s his team.

Despite being in a competition with sophomore J.J. McCarthy, the Michigan players voted McNamara. It’s about respect, Smith explained.

“The quarterback makes a lot of big decisions that impact the game, and you always want the guy making those decisions respected by the guys he’s making the decisions for,” the Michigan defensive tackle said. “You always want to look at your quarterback and see somebody who embodies the team and can bring the team together when he needs to and keep the team going.”

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Smith provided some insight into what qualities McNamara shows on a day-to-day basis that sets him apart.

“Just by coming up and being the same guy every day, competing and always trying to get that edge,” the Michigan senior said. “Cade is one of the hardest working guys I’ve seen, and one of the biggest competitors.

“And he’s been that way since he’s been here. Lately, he’s just allowed it [to show]. Now that he’s the starter and the eyes are on him, people just see it now. But he’s always been the way he is. You appreciate having a guy like that who wants to win all the time.”

Michigan defense has an insatiable desire to improve

Smith is the leader on the Michigan defensive line. He’s his own biggest critic, and he carries that same mentality with his position group.

“I always tell the guys individually on defense, ‘Look, no matter how perfect the practice was, how many good plays you had, there’s always more to be done. No matter how good your pad level was, you can always get lower. No matter how good your hand placement is, you can always get it better,'” Smith said.

“I think that’s the approach we’re taking to this season. No matter what we do, until we get a national championship, it’s never going to be enough. And even then …”

One of the biggest pleasant surprises of the Michigan preseason has been the emerging depth on the interior of the defensive line. Smith and junior Kris Jenkins are locks to start, but there are other names who have stepped up and will contribute.

“[Graduate] Cam Goode, for sure,” Smith said of who’s standing out. “He does a good job. [Freshman] Mason Graham has been playing really good ball, especially for how young he is. I think [freshman] Kenneth Grant is going to be a force. [Sophomore] Dom[inick Giudice].

“Basically the whole interior defensive line room has made big strides — and I said we were going to have to. As long as we keep getting better, anybody can play — anybody and everybody. I told the whole room that we’re going to need that whole room. If we want to win games, everybody can play winning football.”

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