'The standard is going to do nothing but rise': Michigan CB Cameron Calhoun has high hopes for his career, 2023 class
TheWolverine.com caught up with Michigan Wolverines football freshman cornerback Cameron Calhoun, who enrolled early in the winter, at a recent NIL photo shoot for Fam Clothing, sponsored by the Stadium and Main collective. Calhoun discussed his acclimation to college football, spring practices and much more.
Read our Q&A below.
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How have you adapted to life as a college football player?
Calhoun: Everything ended up being faster. When you coming in not knowing the play book, it pushed me back a little bit. I had to learn, develop. I’m getting better every day, just staying in the play book.
The transition overall, it was smooth.
What has it been like now being in college-level workouts and classes?
Calhoun: That’s what I had to adjust to, being able to get up in the morning, go to workouts, then go to class. The school work is much harder than high school, because you can just follow some stuff.
The workouts, it was cool. It was just me adjusting. I had to get up at 6 a.m. for them, but [Michigan strength and conditioning] Coach [Ben] Herb[ert] is going to get me right in the offseason, as far as just developing my body for this upcoming season.
How did spring ball go?
Calhoun: Spring ball was good. It wasn’t everything I wanted to do, I didn’t accomplish everything, but I’m shooting for everything coming this fall. I’m going to just help out the team, being a team player.
What has it been like working with sophomore cornerback Will Johnson, graduate Mike Sainristil and Michigan’s other defensive backs?
Calhoun: It’s been cool. One thing they’re big on is communication. We didn’t have much of that back in my high school, so me adjusting to having to say every call, every play, or stuff we do in general, it’s been a little hard. But every day, guys like Will, Mikey Sainristil and Rod Moore, Makari Paige, Keon Sabb — those guys are really helpful when it comes to me not knowing something and them showing me how to do it. They’re in a position I want to be in.
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Has it been nice going through this process with a fellow cornerback in your class, Jyaire Hill?
Calhoun: Having ‘J’ eases my mind a little bit. I know we’re going to get through it together. I know if he doesn’t get something and I do, I’m going to help him out. Or if I don’t get something and he does, he’s going to help me out. It’s not a race to who’s going to get the spot. I’ll say we want to be on the field together and we want to dominate together.
Where have they had you playing most of your snaps?
Calhoun: Mostly boundary corner.
You and co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Steve Clinkscale were close during your recruitment. How has your relationship developed now that you’re at Michigan?
Calhoun: Coach Clink is on me heavy, because he wants me to be better than what I was in the spring. Coach Clink is really cool. If I need to come in for film study, he lets me come in and talk to him. If I need to come to him with anything generally, he isn’t just a coach, he’s one of the fathers on the team.
What about playing for Jim Harbaugh?
Calhoun: Harbaugh is like a father, too. You can just go up to him, ask him anything, and he’s going to give you a clear answer on what you want to do and what you need to do to get to that next level, because that’s what he’s shooting for in every single aspect.
The rest of the 2023 class is now on campus. What are the expectations for this group?
Calhoun The expectation has always been high at Michigan, and the standard is going to do nothing but rise. Those guys have to come in and, as well, keep their head down and grind.
