Last year, Ortonville native Matt Lentz got a taste of the Michigan football tradition up close.
As the 2003 season approaches, Lentz, 20, who plays right guard for the Wolverines, hopes to earn the respect of teammates and opponents alike.
Lentz, who stands 6?6? and weighs 305 lbs., will be entering his junior year at Michigan and his sophomore year of eligibility for football (he was redshirted his freshman year).
He is a 2001 graduate of Brandon High School, capping a stellar career for the Blackhawks (he was a three-time letter winner in football) by making the all-county, all-metro, all-league and all-state teams his senior year.
Although he considered the University of Illinois because the small-town atmosphere in Champaign, Ill. is similar to that of Ann Arbor, the Wolverines were Lentz’s first choice all along.
‘I’ve always wanted to go there,? he said. ‘It didn’t take much (to convince him to go there).?
He credits his father, Fred, himself a former college player (as a tight end at the University of Notre Dame) and the BHS counseling staff for helping him prepare for college life.
Before he came to Michigan, Lentz studied and watched three former Wolverine linemen who are current or former National Football League players: Steve Hutchinson (now with the Seattle Seahawks), Maurice Williams (now with the Jacksonville Jaguars) and Rod Payne (formerly with the Cincinnati Bengals).
Lentz, a general studies major at Michigan, split time last year at right guard with David Petruziello, who has since graduated. He saw significant playing time against Notre Dame (where he played the whole second half) and Michigan State.
One of the players Lentz credits with showing him (as well as the other younger players on the team) the ropes is B.J. Askew, a fullback on last year’s team who was selected in the third round of this year’s NFL draft by the New York Jets.
‘He really stood out,? Lentz said. ‘From the day I walked in the door, he was always there, giving us rides and helping us out.?
In addition, Petruziello was another steadying influence, Lentz said. ‘He helped me get used to the pressure day in and day out,? he said.
Lentz has nothing but praise for the Wolverines? offensive line coach, Andy Moeller (himself a 1987 Michigan graduate).
‘He’s passionate about what he does,? he said of Moeller. ‘You can tell he wants us to do well. He stays after practice and helps me work on footwork and technique.?
In addition, Lentz said Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr is good at bringing the staff and team together, and often uses famous quotes for inspiration. Lentz also said Carr is ‘a great guy? to talk to on an individual basis.
The Wolverines open their season Aug. 30 when they host Central Michigan. By that time, Lentz hopes to establish himself as the starter at right guard. As the season goes on, he wants to gain the trust of his teammates.
‘I don’t feel like I deserve it yet,? he said.