The Preparation and Intensity Rashan Gary Displays 24/7
9/25/2018 10:43:00 AM | Football, Features
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan fans see the passion and intensity of defensive end Rashan Gary on football Saturdays. He plays like a maize and blue storm front coming at opponents. What they can't see is how those same qualities are displayed in his preparation the other six days of the week.
"It's at the highest level -- his preparation during the week, his intensity in practice every day," said J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh. "He's such a great example for the rest of the players on the team: 'I want to play like Rashan Gary. How do I go about that?' Study Rashan to see how he approaches his workouts, practice, meetings. You see it at the highest level.
"It's a great position to be in as a coach, to say, 'Look at your best guy. See how he prepares.' If you may, do like Rashan. That makes it pretty, pretty good to use him as an example."
Gary was the consensus No. 1 recruit in the nation as a senior at Paramus (N.J.) Catholic. Still, all the attention that came his way -- he announced Michigan as his choice live on ESPN on national signing day -- brought nary a hint of complacency. He kept working as hard as ever both athletically and academically, where he excels despite the challenges of dyslexia.
On his left hand he wears a bracelet Wolverine safety J'Marick Woods handed out to teammates: "HUMBLE OVER HYPE."
"Basically, you don't listen to it (hype) and just have that work ethic that we've got to stay down and can always get better at something," said Gary, who has 18 tackles, 3.5 for lost yardage, two sacks and three quarterback hurries in four games. All that despite being double-teamed and even triple-teamed by Western Michigan in a play that went viral.
He glanced down at the bracelet, adding, "So, this is just a little reminder if you do forget it. I like that saying. I don't take it off; I always wear it."
Sports Illustrated rated the ultra-talented junior the No. 9 player in the nation, and he was selected the No. 1 "freak athlete" in college football by The Athletic because he's 6-foot-5, 287 pounds and runs like a deer (40 yards in 4.57 seconds). He was an All-Big Ten first team selection as a sophomore, when he set career highs with 11 tackles and two sacks against Ohio State.
Gary is on the watch lists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year and Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski awards for the nation's top defensive player. And, just like all the recognition in high school, all of this does nothing but make him hungrier.
"That attitude comes from when I first came here," said Gary. "Chris Wormley and Taco Charlton (both now in the NFL), they emphasized that you play how you practice. So, I feel it's only right that I need to relay the same message. I have to do for others what they did for me. So, it's just cool coming out to work. And the harder you work, the easier it is in the game."
I spoke with Gary Monday (Sept. 24) as preparations began for Saturday's game at Northwestern, hoping to take you behind the walls of Schembechler Hall for a peek at what makes him tick.
The weekday preparation began with videotape study of the Wildcats, and Gary was asked what he looks for to gain an edge on opponents.
"Just studying my opponent," he said. "First, I start with personnel and find out what they like to run. I'll talk to Coach Matty (Greg Mattison) about things that he thinks, as a defensive line, we can take advantage of. And working on that throughout the week, I might try a move in practice and it doesn't work. But I'm going to keep trying so that when I use it in a game, that move is going to work."
He added that he monitors others in his position group, "checking that they're all right with their assignments" because "you never know when the big play in the game, the one that could change the outcome, is going to happen."
Gary added, "So you have to be prepared, ready for every play."
He'll watch plenty of videotape with Mattison and then by himself.
"I look for something we can emphasize as a unit," said Gary. "And if (defensive end) Chase (Winovich) sees something we can do on film, we do that, too. We'll mention things to Coach Matty. It's all collaborative."
He lifts weights on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
"In-season is about maintaining your strength and working on injury prevention," said Gary. "Off-season lifting is trying to get faster and stronger."
Then, when practices begin, Gary goes as hard as possible until the whistle blows, showing the spunk of a "Rudy" with the talent of a true defensive beast. That's why Harbaugh's eyes sparkle when discussing his attitude and approach.
"He's a leader," said Michigan cornerback standout Lavert Hill. "He watches film every time he can, and he runs to the ball every chance he gets. (The intensity) means a lot coming from Rashan because he's a big dude and everyone looks up to him."
Gary's dedication includes academics. He's a general studies major pursuing a Marketing and Sales Track Certificate from the Ross School of Business.
"While I'm in here," said Gary, "my time is dedicated to football. When I'm outside, with marketing and my classes, it all started with my mom, I'm dedicated there. Mom told me that if I get a 'C' then I can't play football. In seventh grade, I got a 'C' and she told my coach I couldn't play football. I pushed that button to see how serious she was, and she was serious.
"Ever since then, my mindset at school is giving 110 percent, just like I give 110 percent in football.
Dyslexia makes it difficult for Gary to read and interpret words, but he's learned educational approaches and techniques to be an effective student.
"Sometimes I don't like reading," said Gary. "So, I have to make myself read and keep sharpening my skills. But it's an everyday battle; it doesn't leave you. But I don't let that define me. I've got a little finger tap (technique) that helps me. I just have to deal with it and get through. I use it as motivation."
Obstacles become building blocks, and he's constructed success through every challenge.
He credits his mother, Jennifer Shepherd, and older sister, Nefessa Gary, with instilling the drive and "blue-collar" work ethic into him. Their images are tattooed onto his left forearm as a constant reminder.
When game day arrives, he reaches out to them at the team hotel.
"If they're there," said Gary, "we pray together. If they're not, I pray with them on the phone. I can't get up and leave without doing that. We pray on the game and things and just how grateful we are. That gets me settled, gets me calm. Before that, I'm a little antsy.
"That puts me where I need to be and gives me time to listen to my music before the game and pick up on a couple (play) keys that I could've picked up or making sure I see the same keys. Before we go out, if there's a song playing, we sing the lyrics while we're walking down the tunnel ready to go to work."
He said touching the M Club banner at midfield for home games "always gives you chills" because "it's what all the legends did before us and it's great." He said that when you learn the history of the program, "you're no longer wearing your jersey and winged helmet just for yourself."
Gary added, "You remember the people who put in the hard work before you. So, you have to take into account the history and the great players who have been here. They paved the way for you to be here."
This Saturday, the Wolverines will charge out at Ryan Field to play Northwestern in their first conference road game.
"We'll be in somebody else's house," said Gary. "I love it. That's when the fans get the craziest. It's cool. You get away from here and cause some havoc in somebody else's house."
The work's done, and it's time to apply it.
