WATCH: Michigan DT Trey Pierce, LT Evan Link preview 2025 season

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan Wolverines football junior defensive tackle Trey Pierce and junior offensive lineman Evan Link met with the media Tuesday evening after practice ahead of Saturday night’s season opener against New Mexico. Watch video from their sessions with reporters below.

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Junior defensive tackle Trey Pierce

Junior offensive lineman Evan Link

Link discussed what it took for him to win Michigan’s starting left tackle job. He started last year at right tackle but feels better on the left side of the line.

“I think I’ve taken a lot of strides,” Link said. “A lot of the things I struggled in last year, I think I’ve gotten a lot better at. I really think that competition in camp helped me get there. [Freshman Andrew Babalola] was really good at some things that I needed to improve on, so having to compete with him and [sophomore] Blake [Frazier], as well, helped me improve my game and take it to another level.

“I would say [I feel different last year compared to last], just because I wasn’t expecting [to start] last year, and that was a complete shock. It was a surprise to me. It was a great opportunity, and I think this year obviously playing in 11 games, I know what I’m doing out there. I have that confidence that I can compete with the best people out there, and they’re challenging me every single day.”

Pierce, meanwhile, has been mentioned as a breakout player during Michigan football’s preseason practices.

“Just working on being more consistent every day, getting better every day,” Pierce said. “It was gradual over time, but this camp is when I started to kind of turn that corner. Just focusing on getting better every day.

“I had a great offseason. I had a healthy offseason. I got to get everything out of the weight room, as well as in the film room being around good coaches. Mentally and physically, I feel my game has just kind of progressed a lot this last year.”

Michigan opens the season Saturday against New Mexico at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.