When he arrived at Michigan from Brandon in 2001, Matt Lentz was looking to the veterans on the Wolverines? football team for guidance.
Now, the roles are reversed, and Lentz, a fifth-year senior, will be the guy called upon to set an example for the youngsters.
‘The coaches will be looking to me to help the younger guys along, be like a big brother,? said Lentz, 22, a 2001 graduate of Brandon High School.
During the summer, Lentz, who stands 6?6? and weighs 305 lbs., said he has been going through weight training and conditioning, and making sure his teammates are preparing for the upcoming season.
The Wolverines officially began practicing Aug. 9 in preparation for their season opener Sept. 3, when they host Northern Illinois.
Lentz said his time these days is spent quite a bit on getting ready for the 2005 season.
‘Right now, I’m getting focused on getting ready through camp,? he said. ‘Our days last from 7 in the morning to 9-9:30 at night, between practices and film sessions.?
For the third straight season, Lentz will start at right guard for the defending Big Ten champion Wolverines, and he is expected to anchor their offensive line along with fellow fifth-year senior Adam Stenavich.
Expectations are once again high for the Wolverines, as they are ranked fourth in the USA Today preseason coaches poll. Michigan will aim to make their third straight trip to the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, CA.
In 2004, the Wolverines went 9-3 overall and 7-1 in the Big Ten Conference, losing to Southern California 28-14 in the Rose Bowl. In 2005, Michigan went 9-3 overall and 7-1 in the Big Ten, losing the Rose Bowl 38-37 to the University of Texas on a last-second field goal in the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Lentz is a two-year letterman who has played in 22 career games for the Wolverines and made 13 starts.
In 2004, Lentz earned recognition from the Big Ten media and coaches for his line play. He was voted all-league first team by the league’s coaches, and made the Big Ten media’s second team all-league unit.
Last year, a couple Wolverines were baptized by fire, so to speak, as quarterback Chad Henne and running back Michael Hart started as freshmen. Lentz said the two benefited greatly from being thrown into the fray in their freshman year.
‘It does help having a year of experience under your belt, dealing with game situations,? he said. ‘I think that will greatly help them out.?
This year, Lentz said his main goals are to help the Wolverines win as many games as possible and make another trip to the Rose Bowl. Individually, he said he would like to repeat his all-Big Ten performance from last season.
However, he realizes there will be no easy marks for the Wolverines on their Big Ten schedule. ‘Every single one of the teams is going to be a challenge for us,? he said.
After the college season is concluded, speculation may turn to Lentz’s future National Football League prospects.
In the past two NFL drafts, a fellow Michigan offensive lineman has been drafted. In 2004, tackle Tony Pape was drafted in the seventh round by the Miami Dolphins, while in 2005, center David Baas was drafted in the second round by the San Francisco 49ers.
However, Lentz said he is more focused on the task at hand with Michigan than any future NFL prospects.
‘I really haven’t thought about that (getting drafted),? he said. ‘If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. If it’s not, it’s not. I’m just concentrating on helping this team win.?