Camp Confidential with Brandon Harrison
8/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Each week a different Wolverine football player will tell his story about fall camp as Michigan prepares for its 129th football season and its season opener against Utah on August 30.
Senior safety Brandon Harrison sat down this week to discuss his return to the safety spot and the rise of Nick Sheridan, while also answering the burning question of why he is sporting a new hairstyle for his final season of college football.
We're happy to be done with two-a-days and next week is game week. We'll start working on our game plan, getting everything straight and watching a lot of film. We've already started preparing for Utah by watching some film but it'll be a focus in the next seven days.
I came in as a cornerback, moved to safety then moved to nickel, moved to corner again and then moved back to safety, so it's been hectic. I think learning all those positions will benefit me in the long run. I can tell what's coming, what a corner should do and how a safety should play.
As a safety, one of the keys to success is reading the offensive linemen's hats. High hats mean pass and low hats mean run. The longer I play, the better I get at reading offenses and I still remember how challenging it could be to pick up a zone-blocking scheme as a freshman. Every position has a different read and it takes time to develop the mental side of the game. I think what makes me a good safety is my speed and power. I admire Bob Sanders (NFL Pro Bowl safety), which is why I grew my hair out.
We see our new offense every day in practice and let me tell you, they look fast and they're really good. The tempo is outrageous. They move fast and play fast and they're exciting.
Nick Sheridan has impressed me a lot this year. Some of us were joking the other day talking about how last year Nick was our scout team Tim Tebow at the bowl practices and now he's competing for a starting quarterback spot. It's amazing. On defense, my big man Terrance Taylor made some great strides in the summer and he's looking good.
I can't wait to run out the tunnel and touch that banner next week.
