Michigan football: What the captains told the team after being announced
Michigan football named five senior captains on Thursday and set its official leadership for the 2022 season. Quarterback Cade McNamara, wide receiver Ronnie Bell, tight end Erick All, defensive tackle Mazi Smith and defensive back/wideout Mike Sainristil will lead the Wolverines into battle.
With Michigan’s fall camp coming to an end this week, all eyes are now on the Colorado State Rams and moving forward into the 2022 season.
After the team voted on captains and the ballots were tallied, Michigan gave its five-man captain group a chance to speak on the honor. Each of them revealed what they said in the aftermath during the team meeting during their media session on Thursday afternoon.
Defensive tackle Mazi Smith
“We put in a lot of work. Just because the season is here, all that means is that there’s more work that needs to be put in. More opportunities to get better. I told them, there’s no other group of people I would want to go to war with or want by my side. I love everybody in that room.”
Defensive back/wide receiver Mike Sainristil
“At any point during the season, if there are times where things feel like they’re shaky, I’m definitely someone I want them to lean on. Not only because they voted me as captain, but I view myself as a true leader of this team. Making sure they understand that I am going to continue to give it my all every single day and I will be there for my teammates.”
Top 10
- 1New
Tampering concerns
Nebraska likely to cancel spring game
- 2
Caleb Love headbutted
Multiple ejections in Arizona
- 3Hot
Bobby Hurley
Refuses handshake line
- 4
OSU assistant to NFL
Ohio State offensive coach to Cardinals
- 5
Calipari booed
UK boos started as he stepped off plane
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Wide receiver Ronnie Bell
“I love the boys and I appreciate them. Just fired up, man. One thing about voting for captains is you’re voting for captains because it’s toward the end of training camp and the season is here. Explaining to the boys that we’re ready to roll and ready to rock. Just love for them.”
Quarterback Cade McNamara
McNamara: “I just told them the truth. I’m extremely honored to be elected captain. For it to be a player-only vote and for your teammates to recognize you as a leader of the team, there’s no greater accomplishment I don’t think, especially at this level. My message was how honored I am and the potential for where we are as a team and how fired up I am for this season. Also, just how blessed I am to be recognized by them and that I love them.”
Tight end Erick All
“Super nervous but when they announced me, I was kind of shocked. I just pretty much said to the team that I loved them and it’s a blessing being here and I look forward to being in this building every day with this team. I told them that we’ve never been more ready to start a season than we’ve ever been. People say it’s hard to build a culture and do something more than once. We continue to build the culture here and continue getting better as a team, we’ve gotten better with pretty much everything we want to do. I just kept telling them that I love them.”
Michigan football kicks off the season on Sept. 3 at noon against Colorado State Rams. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET with a national television broadcast on ABC.
