A Fully Healthy Braiden McGregor Is Ready To Shine In 2023

Braiden McGregor is one of four Edge defenders who can help the 2023 Michigan defense wreak havoc.

Braiden McGregor came to Michigan back in 2020 as a highly-rated recruit and the No. 2 Edge prospect in the class. 

But it's been a journey for the Port Huron (Michigan) native. McGregor suffered major injuries to his knee during his senior year of high school which resulted in him missing the entire freshman year at Michigan. McGregor saw nine games of action in 2021 but didn't statistically contribute a ton. 

However in 2022, his junior season, McGregor started to feel like himself again. He played in all 14 games and tallied 16 tackles. 4.5 tackles for loss and had a couple of sacks. After adding some weight this offseason, McGregor is looking to be more fierce against the run, while being explosive off the edge in 2023. 

"So end of last year, I felt like I finally started feeling like myself again, and being able to trust my body 100%," said McGregor during media availability. "And just be the athlete that I was in high school -- coming out of high school be that guy. So stacking on top of that is just the offseason focusing on my lower body a lot, getting some more weight in my lower body was one of my emphases. And I added about seven pounds this offseason. So I think that's good just for run purposes. And same with pass rush being able to get more explosive. So I think just working on those two things, and then just stacking off of what I did last year, I should be able to have a good year."

Having a journey like McGregor's has its ups and has its very low downs. But the 267-pound Edge rusher said he had to trust the process after suffering his injury before coming to Michigan. He learned not to take anything for granted, and practice hard every chance he gets. 

"I think the number one lesson is trust the process," said McGregor. "Coach Minter tells us that all the time 'you're gonna get your time, when you get your time you got to gotta shine'. So you know, just trust the process and know that you're gonna be good one day, you're knees gonna feel better. So I think that's just one of the big things and just don't take your time for granted. I mean, it goes by so fast like that first year I barely remember anything of it. And it felt like forever just because the knee but yeah, just don't take any time for granted and just go every day as hard as you can."

Sure, McGregor wishes he could've come right into Michigan and earned a role his freshman year. But he told the media he wouldn't change a thing during his journey. He's just going to keep taking things day by day and preparing hard every chance he gets. 

"Oh, it was a journey," stated McGregor. "I mean, looking back at it, I wouldn't change it for anything. It sucked in the moment, and I hate it, you know, a lot of days as a freshman. But being where I am now and looking at this defense on this team that we have. I mean, it's just hard not to be excited for the season. I guess it's just knowing that you're gonna be good one day, and like, everything's gonna be alright. I mean, freshman year is those dark times, but now it's, everything's getting brighter. David Ojabo told me my sophomore year, 'day by day, take it day by day'. And that's really what I've been doing."

McGregor is one of four Edge rushers Michigan can unleash this season to wreak havoc on the opposing offense. The 6-foot-6 McGregor has been through a ton, but his willingness to be patient and trust the process puts him in a good spot heading into the 2023 season for the Wolverines.