Kornacki: Braden Looks Ahead and Back with a Smile
12/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 28, 2016
By Steve Kornacki
MIAMI, Fla. -- There is a changing of the guard that takes place on college football teams at this time of year.
Ben Braden and Ben Bredeson are an example of that this week. Braden will be handing the future of the left side of the University of Michigan's offensive line over to Bredeson after the Orange Bowl game with Florida State.
The fifth-year senior (Braden) and true freshman (Bredeson) share more than a first name and 300-pound frames. They have worked side by side in games ever since sophomore Grant Newsome had his season ended by a knee injury suffered against Wisconsin.
"We've had a great year together," Bredeson said. "He's taught me a lot both off and on the field. It's nice learning from him and playing next to him because he's played guard and knows all the little tricks of the trade. So, whenever I have a question, I can ask him how to do something. It's nice that he's right next to me on the field because I get right to the source."
Braden started four games at left guard next to Newsome, and then moved outside to left tackle in the final six regular-season games. He developed a quick chemistry with Bredeson, who replaced him at guard.
"Ben's very hungry," said Braden. "He's always looking to learn, and is really easy to coach. I have a lot in common with him as well, and we've really gotten together well personally. That's made the process easier, and I've played his position for a year and a half. So, I give him pointers.
"We've learned each other's tendencies and it's gone really well. I'm really proud of how he's worked, and we've had amazing coaches who have been there with us every step of the way. Ben really stepped up this year, and it's going to pay big dividends for him down the line. He's got nothing but going upwards and upwards, as far as he wants to go."
Ben Braden (R) playing alongside Ben Bredeson (L)
Braden is one game away from facing his next challenge as well.
He has started 34 games for the Wolverines and was an All-Big Ten second teamer this year on honor squads selected by coaches and media. The former Rockford (Michigan) High two-way lineman has developed into an NFL prospect rated No. 17 among offensive guards with his stock rising, according to NFLDraftScout.com.
"Hopefully, my hard work now is going to set up a good shot to give it everything I've got," said Braden. "If I'm fortunate enough to play in the NFL, I'd be more than honored and humbled. That's a dream for millions of people, but only a few get to do it, and it's been a dream of mine since I started playing in high school.
"But if it doesn't work out, I really want to get into medical sales. I took some marketing and sales classes at Michigan that got me interested, and I got my degree a few weeks ago."
Braden is sure to get an opportunity to continue playing football at the highest level before getting into sales. Still, he never would've played football if his mother hadn't persisted in getting him to take up the sport with a bribe.
He's a mountain of a man at 6-foot-6, 335 pounds but was playing hockey before football in high school and was a big fan of Detroit Red Wings superstar Steve Yzerman and Brett Hull.
"Hockey was my first big sport," said Braden. "I began playing when I was seven, and there was an ice rink near where we moved in Rockford. I tried football in fourth and eighth grade, but I wasn't really interested. But my parents (Melissa and Greg) were begging me to play football. I played hockey until going into my junior year with the varsity team in a summer league.
"I was playing left wing and weighed about 285 then. I definitely hurt some people but not intentionally. That was the thing. My parents raised me to be gentle. I was always much bigger than my friends, and I had to learn to be gentle and not hurt them. But in sports, they want you to hurt people, and it took me a long time to figure that out."
His mother dangled a carrot in front of him to get him on the football field.
Braden said, "My freshman year in high school, my mom was bribing me with an iPod."
What was it about him playing football that appealed to his mother?
"My mom's got the mentality for football," said Braden. "You get in her face, and she'll get right back in your face. She loves it. But when I started playing football, I said, 'Mom, where's the iPod?' But I never got it. We were just talking about that. She just looked at me and smiled."
He was starting on the Rockford varsity by his sophomore season and became an all-state selection.
Braden came to Ann Arbor in 2012 along with right guard Kyle Kalis and right tackle Erik Magnuson. They've become mainstays on the line but will play their final game together Friday night (Dec. 30) against Florida State in Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins.
"Everyone had an edge today," Braden said after Tuesday's (Dec. 27) practice at Barry University. "We're preparing similar to how we did last year in terms of focus. We're here in Florida, and it's nice to enjoy the weather and atmosphere. But at the same time, we're here to win a game.
"Florida State's defensive line has very athletic guys. Some of their guys might not look as big, but they definitely pack a punch. We're adjusting to a big, fast, athletic team. They are going to be one of the most athletic D-lines we've played. As far as athleticism, they are similar to Ohio State, but as far as size they have a few guys similar to Wisconsin's."
When asked about playing his last game for Michigan, Braden smiled and got a faraway look in his eyes.
"I'm going to miss my teammates and the relationships we have," said Braden. "It's like high school, I still have a lot of great friends I played with in high school. But when Michigan is going to be over is more emotional.
"You know, I'll never put the winged helmet back on. I'm excited to play this game because I love playing football, but at the same time I don't know if I'm quite ready to leave my friends and teammates. But, that's part of life. You move on to the next chapter and always have those friendships."
He mentioned looking forward to attending tight end Michael Jocz's wedding in July. He noted playing with Kalis and Magnuson for the final time.
It's a time to look ahead and a time to look back, and no matter which way Ben Braden looks, he smiles.
