Why Drake Nugent chose Michigan: 'Good quarterback, a good running back and other good O-linemen'
Michigan Wolverines football landed former Stanford starting center Drake Nugent out of the NCAA transfer portal in December, the second-straight season in which the Maize and Blue brought in a transfer at the position. He knew he would “pull the trigger” in committing to Michigan if he got the opportunity, and that scenario played itself out.
“I was kind of on the fence about going in the portal or not. But I really just wanted, No. 1, to come to a winning program that could elevate my game,” Nugent said on the In The Trenches podcast with Jon Jansen. “And I guess there is a stigma between Pac-12 and SEC versus Big Ten football, obviously. And I think I had a couple strong years at Stanford, but for me to really prove myself at the next level, I gotta do that in one of these conferences. That’s kind of my main thought process behind it.
“Coach Shaw resigned at Stanford, and that kind of sold me. I was like, ‘Alright, I’m probably out.’ I met with the new coaches there, and I told them that; I was truthful. I love those guys, I want them to do well. But I just wanted to come to a place that was just all about football, everybody is about the team, they’re winning games, they got some momentum, and a place where I could come in and help.”
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Michigan fit his criteria to a T. The Wolverines have won two straight Big Ten championships and appeared in back-to-back CFPs, and the offensive line became the first ever repeat Joe Moore Award winner for the nation’s top group up front. Offensive coordinator and line coach Sherrone Moore has proven to be one of the country’s best at coaching linemen. Michigan has had 10 offensive linemen drafted during head coach Jim Harbaugh‘s tenure.
Plus, the Wolverines have talented players surrounding the offensive line. They averaged 40.4 points per game last season, Michigan’s highest mark since 1904, and bring back junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy, senior running back Blake Corum and others.
“It definitely did play a part,” Nugent said of Michigan’s success being a factor in his decision. “My main criteria coming into the portal was, I want to go somewhere with a good quarterback, a good running back and other good O-linemen. If I have those, it’s probably on a good team who’s already winning.
“I’m a firm believer in other guys around you, you’re a product of your environment, other guys are going to level you up and push you to be better. I wanted to go somewhere where I was one of the least amount of talented guys on the roster or in the room or whatever it may be. Just mentality-wise, I can elevate myself and hold myself to an even higher standard than I have been.”
A two-time All-Pac-12 honorable mention, Nugent was recently named a preseason first-team All-American by Walter Camp. He’s ready to compete for a starting job in fall camp after missing the spring with a knee injury.
While he wasn’t a full participant during spring practices, he’s loved his time in Ann Arbor so far. Even the weather hasn’t been so bad for the Colorado native, who spent the last four years in California.
“They’ve been great, honestly, from top to bottom,” Nugent said of his fellow Michigan offensive linemen. “Fifth-years all the way down to young [freshman early enrollee] Amir [Herring] who just came in, I’m boys with all the guys now.
“It was pretty easy for me to get acclimated, because I feel like the O-line room is pretty similar across the country in most places. Guys have a similar mindset when it comes to a lot of things. It’s been fun getting to know those guys and getting after it in the weight room.”
