Michigan standout Max Bredeson would 'die for Ann Arbor,' plans to 'find a way' to play against Ohio State

Michigan Wolverines football graduate fullback / tight end Max Bredeson, a two-time captain, went down with a right foot injury in last Saturday’s 45-20 win over Maryland, putting his status for the all-important game against Ohio State in doubt.

Bredeson, who has 12 career catches, plays a key role for the Michigan offense, particularly in the run game. Among tight ends with 200-plus run blocking snaps, he ranks first nationally with an 82.5 PFF run-blocking grade.

The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Hartland, Wisc., native met with the media Tuesday night and arrived in style, scootering in with a boot on his right foot. Not ideal for his chances to play in Michigan’s biggest game, but he’s not ruled out, either.

“I’m not going to say exactly what it is now, at the time, but feeling good,” Bredeson said of his injury. “Better each day, and be ready to go.

“Do everything in our power to be able to play on Saturday, and feel good about it. Feel really good about it.

“Whatever it takes. It’s ‘The Game.’ It’s the perfect game — it’s why you come to Michigan. Everything about it is perfect. You try to explain it, but you just can’t. Whatever it takes. You’ve got to find a way.”

If Michigan was playing another opponent, Bredeson may not give it a go, but then again, he might.

“I love this place too much to not try,” the Michigan captain said. “Any game, any time you could put on the winged helmet, I’d do it.”

Bredeson didn’t practice Tuesday evening, though he joked that he’s played in Michigan’s offense for five years, speaking to his preparedness whether or not he suits up during the week.

“We’re going to make a decision later in the week,” Bredeson said, before a pause, wanting to get the words just right. “Somebody’s going to have to really tell me not to play in this football game.”

At the house Bredeson lives in with teammates, there’s a phrase that’s framed and on the mantle — “I’d die for Ann Arbor.” So, telling him not to play in this game would be a tough conversation to have.

Sophomore running back Jordan Marshall, for one, believes he’ll have Bredeson blocking for him.

“I think you guys know that Breddy would do anything for this team,” Marshall said. “He loves this team. He’s a captain of this team for a reason. For me, it’s … he’s going to play. I know he’s going to go out there and try to get as many snaps as he can. That’s Breddy. That’s blue collar, that’s what we talk about every single day.”

Bredeson injured his right foot on a third-down catch against Maryland on which he picked up the first down. He lined up as the running back next to Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood in the shotgun and got the reception on the check down, marking the 12th catch of his career.

“It was fun,” Bredeson smiled. “Any third down, you want to be able to help out the team, so especially coming from playing running back, definitely any third down is great.

“Yes, that actually was the play [that I was injured on]. Played another one after, though.”

That pretty much sums up Bredeson.