Kornacki: Bushell-Beatty Feeling at Home at Michigan

By Steve Kornacki

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan offensive left tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty's first name was inspired by Juwan Howard, one of Michigan's Fab Five basketball stars.

"My mom liked the name Juwan," said Bushell-Beatty, "and that's where it actually did come from, except she changed it and made it with two n's. It was her little flair at the end to make it stand out."

It also paralleled the double-n in Yvonne Bushell's first name. His father is Curtis Beatty.

"She moved up here with me and I see her almost every weekend after games," said Bushell-Beatty, who played at Paramus (New Jersey) Catholic. "She worked for a government agency back in New Jersey and she's doing the same job here.

"Sundays are my least busy days, and we'll usually meet up and go to dinner or just out to the movies."

That's made Ann Arbor seem much more like home.

So has playing for the Wolverines with three former high school teammates, and being able to stay in close contact with Michigan linebackers and special teams coordinator Chris Partridge, the head coach of Paramus Catholic's state championship teams in 2012 and 2013.

"In high school, I saw Coach Partridge as a role model, someone I wanted to mold my life after," said Bushell-Beatty. "I didn't play football until high school, and he helped get me to this point. Now, having him here is also good. It gives me a familiar face and someone I can look to and talk to when I'm struggling, who allows me to stay on track."

Bushell-Beatty came here in 2014 with classmate Jabrill Peppers, a Heisman Trophy finalist last year now starting at strong safety for the Cleveland Browns. Defensive end Rashan Gary and linebacker Drew Singleton in 2016 and 2017, respectively, continued the Paramus Catholic pipeline to Ann Arbor.

"I think being here together has helped build all of our relationships because of what Coach Partridge taught us in high school," said Bushell-Beatty. "Having Jabrill and Rashan and Drew together with the mentality Coach Partridge taught us will help us on a bigger scale, help our teammates as well."

Gary and Bushell-Beatty go against one another daily in team practices, and when asked if he blocked the defensive standout consistently, he said, "I think I do." However, he also gave Gary his due.

"He's strong, aggressive and has a high motor," said Bushell-Beatty, who has received consecutive starting assignments against Indiana and Penn State.

His lone start last season came in the 78-0 win at Rutgers, which visits Michigan Saturday (Oct. 28).

"It's for bragging rights back home," he said, "and some of my friends go to Rutgers."

He noted that former high school teammate Terrence Harris now plays defensive line for the Scarlett Knights (3-4, 2-2 Big Ten), who have won two consecutive games.

When Wolverines left tackle Grant Newsome went down with a severe knee injury last year against Wisconsin, Bushell-Beatty got the call to start. However, after that Rutgers game, Ben Braden moved from left guard to left tackle and started the remainder of the season there.

Bushell-Beatty with his mother, Yvonne

Bushell-Beatty admits he still has plenty to improve upon, but is expected to make his third consecutive start against the Scarlet Knights.

"I'm really trying to focus in on what's going on," he said, "and I feel that's something I've struggled with in the past. I had to give more effort and mature in that respect, and try to be the best player I can be.

"I think, and I think a lot of other people know that I have potential. The roof of where that's at still hasn't been determined. But if I put my best foot forward, I can make the best of it. And I think I'm going in the right direction now. I think just going forward, by the end of this season or early next season, I will have a lot on my plate."

Offensive coordinator Tim Drevno coached him for two seasons and Greg Frey became his position coach this year.

"Coach Drevno is a phenomenal scheme guy and really knows his stuff and the ins and outs of football," said Bushell-Beatty. "He knows all the details and shows me the aspects of things that I couldn't see.

"Now, having Coach Frey here has allowed me to physically hone in on some of the things I struggled with in the past, learning football character and allowing myself to be a more physical player. I'm working on consistently running through contact and keeping my feet driving and finishing a block. I also need to use my hands more consistently on pass-blocking."

Bushell-Beatty said Frey "is a hell of a guy" and has helped him become more physical.

"One of the things he's said since he got here (in January) that has stuck with me is, 'Your body will conform to the level of stress that you put it under.' So, that means you can keep fighting even when things get hard. It might seem difficult at the time when you put yourself under that amount of stress, but you learn to play under that."

He said that approach helps him get the job done.

Bushell-Beatty once weighed 345 pounds, but has quicker feet and better balance as the result of losing nearly 30 pounds over the last two years by paying attention to his diet and becoming more dedicated in the weight room. He now packs between 315 and 320 pounds into his 6-foot-6 frame.

"The keys have been focusing on nutrition and staying away from the junk foods," he said. "Staying consistent with what I eat was something I had to learn to do."

That dedication was the first major building block for him in constructing a stronger game.

One example of the capabilities he possesses came on Karan Higdon's 59-yard touchdown run at Indiana. Fullback Henry Poggi and Bushell-Beatty combined to open a huge hole up the middle by sealing off defenders with strong blocks.

"That play meant a lot to me," said Bushell-Beatty. "It was one of the few times in games that I've started where my contribution has been significant. Going forward, when you have opportunities like that and make plays like that, it builds your confidence. When you help somebody get into the end zone, it makes you feel real good about yourself. You want to continue to repeat that feeling and recreate plays like that.

"Playing with more confidence is one of the most important things for me going forward. And playing in more games and becoming more experienced is, too. Once you get to a certain point, it becomes a lot easier.

"Confidence allows your game to travel to a different level."