Michigan football LB Junior Colson not worried about NFL future, casts, former coaches

The moment was rather ironic.

Michigan football linebacker Junior Colson stood with his hands in his pockets, back flush against the wall inside Schembechler Hall earlier this week and described how much healthier he felt than at the same time last season.

Colson played 727 snaps a season ago. In just one fewer game this year, he has taken only 543 total snaps — a decrease of more than 25%.

It’s thanks in large part to Nebraska transfer linebacker Ernest Hausmann, who defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said has helped elevate the play of both Colson and sixth-year senior Michael Barrett.

But what the junior second-team All Big Ten linebacker conveniently left out when he detailed his new-found health: both of his hands are still in casts after suffering various injuries throughout the season.

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Even still, Colson said there’s no question he will be on the field with No. 1 Michigan (13-0) when it takes on No. 4 Alabama (12-1) in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 as a part of the College Football Playoff semifinals.

“I think they’re still going to be in the cast for the game,” he said. “They’re still in the cast now. I’ll be fine though … you’re never 100 percent unless it’s summertime. I feel great. I think our whole defense — our whole team — feels great right now heading into this game.

“We’re excited. Everything else is secondary.”

Colson played the Ohio State game and the Big Ten championship game with casts on his hands and Minter pointed out it has not seemed to slow him down. The Wolverines linebacker had 11 tackles including one for loss against the Buckeyes and then another eight tackles with two pass breakups in against Iowa.

Colson finished the season as the team’s…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-football-lb-junior-colson-192448637.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2023-12-21 19:24:48

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