Mazi Smith says "Don't nobody talk about" JH rumors to NFL

Submitted by KO Stradivarius on January 25th, 2023 at 2:18 PM

I saw this article from a couple of days ago that apparently nobody has posted yet (gasp!).

Team captain Mazi Smith was interviewed and says the guys inside of the program didn't seem to be impacted by the uncertainty surrounding Harbaugh's future at Michigan. 

"Don't nobody talk about it," said Smith. "We're kind of trained to be like, once something becomes a reality, then we can react. But until then, what are you going to do?"

"My coach left before I seen him, I never saw Coach Matty on campus," Smith said. Greg Mattison, the former U-M defensive coordinator who recruited Smith for several years, took a job with Ohio State shortly before Smith even made it to campus for his freshman year. 

"So I learned early that this isn't about personal relationships or friendships, this is about business, and this is about winning. And just like I want to move on at some point and go to the NFL for my career, the coaches are in the same boat."

"I think what helped me a lot was what I told you earlier. No matter what circumstance I'm in, I'm going to make it. I'm going to make sure that I make something happen. My biggest fear is to be one of them guys on the field getting put on their ass. I don't like that shit. And it happens sometimes, but that ain't something that I want to go through. So whatever I can do to keep me from doing that, I'm going to do. Who your head coach is don't got nothing to do with you getting put on your ass. So you've kind of got to keep the main thing the main thing at the end of the day."

Love that last part in bold.  

https://www.si.com/college/michigan/football/michigan-football-player-discusses-harbaughs-nfl-flirtation-its-impact-on-program

 

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KO Stradivarius

January 25th, 2023 at 2:41 PM ^

I was very surprised that no one else had posted this article. If his attitude prevails, it seems pretty significant that most of the players aren't as shaken up about his NFL flirtation as we assume.  Makes you wonder if recruits think similarly.

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drjaws

January 25th, 2023 at 2:45 PM ^

i think recruits probably do to some extent. Lets say you're a borderline 4-star and really want to play in the NFL.

would you rather get developed and trained in a JH program, or a Ferentz program? I mean, sure, some guys will make it to the NFL no matter where they play ... but most kids need to be developed and trained, and some coaches build programs better than others.

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Tom in AnnArbor

January 25th, 2023 at 3:25 PM ^

I get the fan base not liking that Mattison left (again) to a rival - in the latter case the biggest of rivals - BUT he doubled his salary.  

I like my company and talk positively about it, but if our competitor wanted to double my salary to do a job that I would rather be doing (DLine to D-Coordinator), I'm gone.

With that said, Fuck Mattison.

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Kevin13

January 25th, 2023 at 4:06 PM ^

Mazi obviously has his head on right and has the correct out look on coaches. But not enough players do especially young recruits. Have a winning and stable program is what brings them. Hell even Mazi was recruited by the same coach for several years 

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