Michigan football transfer calls new home ‘refreshing’ before season opener

Ahead of the Wolverines’ season opener against East Carolina this weekend, new Michigan football transfer center, Drake Nugent, originally from Stanford, had the opportunity to speak with the media. During the interview, he described his new home as “refreshing” and provided insights into the upcoming 2023 season.

New Michigan football transfer is refreshed in Ann Arbor

Drake Nugent gained prominence as a star player during his time with the Stanford Cardinal; however, his talents were often overshadowed by his team’s poor performance. Despite this, the former PAC-12 team captain now finds himself at one of the most successful programs in the nation: Michigan football. This move positions him for a potentially national title-winning season with the Wolverines.

Earlier this week, in anticipation of Michigan’s season opener against East Carolina on Saturday, Nugent discussed various aspects of his transition and preparation for the upcoming season.

“Honestly, it’s kind of refreshing,” Michigan football transfer center Drake Nugent explained. “(At) Stanford, we don’t really win very many games there. And I love those guys there. I was captain last year, which is great. But I just feel like that, personally, I needed a new change, just almost like a spark for my love for football again. Not to say I didn’t love it last year, but just gave me like that ‘no excuse,’ like, I came in with competition and stuff, I gotta be on myself every day. Where at Stanford, you can give yourself an excuse, even though I would say I didn’t — it’s there.”

Drake Nugent continues

Since Drake Nugent got to Ann Arbor, his teammates have been quite impressed. The Michigan football transfer addition has been described as a “pitbull,” a “freak,” and more leading up to the 2023 season. Yet, it was not until recently that everything really began to sink in for Nugent — he is officially a Wolverine.

“Probably back when I started fall camp,” Nugent began. “I mean, obviously, I came in here in January and started working my butt off, trying to earn everyone’s respect as fast as I could. And I never really lost that spark. But I think definitely being on the field again, was like, ‘Well, this is awesome.’ So that’s kind of like when I was able to truly love it again, where I’m at.”

New transfer has big shoes to fill during 2023 season

Last year, Jim Harbaugh welcomed Olu Oluwatimi to the Michigan football team as a transfer center from Virginia. Throughout the 2022 season, Oluwatimi emerged as a key player on the Wolverines’ offensive line. Impressively, he concluded his time in Ann Arbor as the most decorated lineman in the program’s history.

He garnered prestigious accolades, including first-team All-Big Ten and All-American honors. Oluwatimi’s exceptional performance also led him to win the Outland Trophy, the Rimington Award, and the Joe Moore Award (team accolade). Additionally, he achieved the title of Big Ten Champion during his time with the Wolverines.

Michigan football transfer is up for the challenge

That said, Drake Nugent has some big shoes to fill this fall — he knows that, and is ready for the challenge.

“I knew who Olu (Oluwatimi) was obviously throughout last year and all the guys in the room here,” Drake Nugent explained. “(You) hear about Zak and Trevor and Hayes and (Karsen Barnhart), even Trente, stuff like that. But what he (Olu) was able to do obviously played a big role.

“And I came on my visit in December — (Michigan football) is in bowl prep, I was able to talk to him. He had a rolled ankle, I think, and he wasn’t practicing the day I came. So it was nice to talk to him aside, ask questions about the offense, stuff like that, and how it’s similar, different than Stanford was. Definitely played a huge role. And obviously, they’re big shoes to fill there, and I’ll do the best I can.”

This upcoming fall, as Michigan football maintains its pursuit of a national title, recently acquired transfer Drake Nugent aims to solidify his position as a successful successor to one of the program’s all-time greatest centers. Up to this point, it appears that Nugent and the Wolverines are making some impressive strides as they approach the home opener this weekend.

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