Wolverines: 'What Does Being a National Champion Mean to You?'

Here's what a dozen Michigan players and coaches told us. (Also, check out Saturday's Ann Arbor parade and Crisler celebration details below these Wolverine comments.)

Photo Courtesy of College Football Playoff

Kenneth Grant (No. 78): ‘You never want to forget a day like this.’

Josaiah Stewart (No. 5): ‘It means the world. I mean, all the work we put in this year with my brothers – the blood, sweat and tears.’

They are celebrating Grant’s sack of Washington quarterback Michael Penix, Jr., in the national championship game at NRG Stadium.

By Steve Kornacki

HOUSTON -- I asked a dozen Michigan players and coaches, “What does being a national champion mean to you?”

Here are their answers given during the post-game celebration following Monday night’s 34-13 victory over Washington culminated a 15-0 season:

Tight end Max Bredeson: “There are no words to describe it. This team is just special. It’s something we’ll have together forever. It’s something I never dreamed of. It’s higher than my dreams – a step above it. Never would’ve expected this, and I’m just so grateful.”

Tight end Colston Loveland: who was carrying a championship ring the size of a bowling ball: “Someone just handed me this ring [laughter]. Man, this means everything to me. My little brother [Cash Loveland, 12] is here to see it. I always dreamed of being here and winning it. Man, this team has been through a lot this year and, man, I can’t even describe what it feels like.”

Running backs coach Mike Hart: “It’s amazing. It’s a dream come true, and it’s something I dreamed about. I came here as a player [and didn’t accomplish it but set the record with 5,040 rushing yards], and as a coach you want to do it, and we did it. We went out and did it, and it’s just amazing.”

Edge rusher Josaiah Stewart: “It means the world. I mean, all the work we put in this year with my brothers – the blood, sweat and tears. Allegations, you name it, man. But it’s the fight and grit of this team that means a lot. It means a lot. I’m proud of this team!”

Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter: “It just means everything. It’s something you dream about as a kid – watching this game, playing in this game, coaching in this game. So, to be here with these guys in this moment – there’s no better feeling in the world.”

Offensive guard Karsen Barnhart: “I can’t believe it. It’s a dream come true. It’s something that growing up as a kid, watching the national championship game every year with my grandpa, and just wanting to be here one day, and getting the opportunity to play in this game, and winning this game – it’s so friggin’ awesome.”

Cornerback Mikey Sainristil: “It means everything. The guys who came back – this is what we dedicated the season to. The younger guys, they just believed what the older guys were preaching. We were able to pave the way, and they were able to trust and believe that we were going to lead them. They stuck with their roles, and this team was just a true team. I can’t say I’ve been on a better team in my life.

“It means everything – trusting God. He has a plan for everybody. All my life, He’s been blessing myself, blessing the people around me, blessing my family. There’s nothing I can’t accomplish with God’s grace. For the kids back home in Haiti [the country he came to Everett, Mass., from along with his family at 7], just keep believing. Just understand that the more patient you are, there’s going to be a blessing for you in the end.”

And on being able to tell his daughter, whom he and his girlfriend are expecting, about this night?

“I can’t wait to some day share this 2023-2024 season with her, and just allowing her to see all the memories. She has a great mother, and I wouldn’t rather raise a child with nobody else.”

Offensive tackle Zak Zinter: “It means everything. That’s why we came back [rather than leave early for the NFL Draft]. So, I’m excited, pumped. It means everything.”

Tailback Donovan Edwards: “Man, this team is such a blessing. It means a lot for the coaches as well as personally for everybody. I’m still soaking it in. You’re going to have to ask me a week from now.”

Edge rusher Braiden McGregor: “I mean, it means everything. That’s what we worked for since the day I got here. We went to the semi-finals two years [and lost both times]. We knew this year was make or break. I mean, people are going to stop giving us chances if we don’t make it. So, being able to go out there and do it is what we do.”

Head coach Jim Harbaugh: “For me, personally, I can now sit at the big person's table in the family. They won't keep me over there on the little table anymore. My dad, Jack Harbaugh, won a national championship [with Western Kentucky] and my brother [John Harbaugh] won a Super Bowl [with the Baltimore Ravens by beating Jim’s San Francisco 49ers]. It's good to be at the big person's table from now on.”

Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant: “It means a lot. You know, all the reps, all the…this is for my team – my team. I always do it for my team, and all the players, coaches and staff put in hard work to make sure we got here.

“I never felt this feeling before; all the hard work paid off. We do everything together, and now it’s time to go celebrate together. In the morning, as I wake up as national champions, it’s going to hit me. Man, just trying to soak in everything. This is going to go down in the history books. So, I’m taking it in slowly because these days go by fast. You never want to forget a day like this.”

From the University of Michigan Sports Information Department:

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Champions Circle Collective will host the celebration honoring the 2023 University of Michigan Football National Championship Team Saturday at Crisler Center beginning at 7 p.m. Prior to the event, the University of Michigan will host a parade through Ann Arbor, starting at 4 p.m.

Reserved seats at Crisler are $30 for the upper bowl and $60 for the lower bowl with all proceeds going to the Champions Circle Collective, which directly benefits our student-athletes. General public ticket sales began Friday morning.

Ticket information available at MGoBlue.com: 2023 Football National Champions (mgoblue.com)

The parade will start at the President’s House and make its way down State Street and end at Schembechler Hall. Fans should plan to line South University Dr. outside the President’s House west to the Student Union and south down State Street to Schembechler Hall. Individuals should plan to use the parking structures around campus, including those on Thompson Street, Maynard, Thayer and Forest Avenue. More information will be provided later as the parade will be weather dependent.

The celebration from Crisler will be televised live by the Big Ten Network and will also stream on the FOX Sports App. Other local media outlets will cover the event.

Doors will open to ticketholders at 6 p.m. Saturday.