By Blake Dowson
Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh spoke to members of the media at Big Ten Media Days about the upcoming 2016-17 season.
- Harbaugh says he knows all of his players well now, heading into year No. 2 on the job.
- Harbuagh on Mackey Award winner Jake Butt- “Jake Butt is one of the most gung-ho players I’ve ever been around.”
- On Jourdan Lewis: “He is an every practice, every drill competitor. He doesn’t take time off and diminish his effort.”
- On Amara Darboh: “He is our top receiver right now. Amara surged during spring ball in some very good-hearted competition. He is a winner and a champion all the way.”
- Darboh became an American citizen last year, huge moment of pride for the team
- On social media: “I don’t know how entertaining it’s been. It’s been a very healthy and productive offseason for our team.”
- On health: “No long-term injuries coming into the season. Maybe one or two guys that won’t be ready for camp.”
- On improvements in his team: “Can we get one-percent better each day? Can we be better tomorrow than we were today? It’s like getting into shape. If you do a little bit better each day, you may not see it in a day or a week, but at some point you’re going to see it and it’s going to stick.”
- On lessons learned from year one: “Mostly, you learn the fellas…You’re doing things for the second time, and that’s the biggest advantage.”
- On high expectations: “We have big hopes, big dreams, lofty goals. All those are achievable. They have to be worked for. You can accomplish anything if the work is realized. We are in a position to work for things we want.”
- On East Division: “The main focus is on getting better each day. Understanding that improvement will lead to success. It’s so simple that it just might work.”
- On 9-game conference schedule: “It’s good on a number of levels. We’re playing the teams that are in our area. It makes scheduling easier. It has implications on who the champion is.”
- On rap video: “My default is usually yes. Action, why not? The reaction has been very good…I think the cool people liked it.”
- On Michael Jordan being the honorary captain for the home opener: “I’m proud and honored to share the sideline with Michael Jordan. I’m proud and honored to share the Jumpman logo on our uniforms.”
- On Jabrill Peppers: “Anything is accomplishable for Jabrill Peppers in the game of football…NFL players are the best athletes in the world, and Jabrill is one of those athletes. He can play just about anywhere on the football field and be successful.”