Leaders and Next

Episode 29 - Tight End Marlin Klein

From Germany to Georgia to Ann Arbor, Marlin Klein shares his unique path to Michigan.  Marlin is expected to start at tight-end for the Wolverines in 2025 after a major role in 2024 as the team’s #2 tight-end and multi-game starter after Colston Loveland's injury. 
Hear how Marlin is using the spring and summer to prepare for an even bigger role on the 2025 squad.
German food ratings, tattoo sleeves, Marlin’s (southern) accent – this episode has it all. 

Episode 28 - FAN EPISODE #2 with Andrew Pierce

Andrew Pierce, winner of the prestigious, inaugural "Listener of the Year" award joins the podcast.  Enjoy us shooting the breeze on the 2024 version of "The Game", what we're looking for in the upcoming Spring Game, how Michigan b-ball can make a deep tourney run, and much more.

Episode 27 - Quarterback Mikey Keene

Quarterback Mikey Keene shares his incredible college journey – from UCF to Fresno State to Michigan – and gives some insights on the coaching staff and quarterback competition heading into the 2024 season.
2:50 – The #1 thing he wants UM fans to know about you
5:50 – Recruiting journey
8:40 – The Brock Purdy connection
10:20 – The famous Lazy River story
12:55 – A complete shake-up at UCF in Year 1
15:18 – Dillon Gabriel mentorships
21:30 – Chip Lindsey
25:43 – Fresno State and Jeff Tedford
30:22 – Mikey’s first game at the Big House (technically) 
34:23 – Discussion on his relationship with Michigan’s JD Johnson
36:30 – The path to Michigan
38:30 – Does Chip Lindsey know about time zones (funny story)
39:20 – Working with Bryce Underwood, Jadyn Davis and Davis Warren
50:25 – Surprises about Michigan?
53:10 – Thoughts on playing a Spring Game
54:11 – Preview of 2025 Offense and goals for the Spring Game
1:02:00 – Academics and College Landscape
1:11:00 – Closing  

Episode 26 - Offensive Lineman Andrew Sprague

Andrew Sprague, a 2024 blue-chip OT recruit who stands at 6'8", stops by the podcast.  Andrew is primed to be the next great offensive lineman at Michigan, getting the starting nod in the Reliaquest Bowl against Alabama as a freshman.  

Episode 25 - 2025 Transfer Portal Review (Defense)

Listen now to Part 2 of our transfer portal review!  This episode picks up where the last leaves off, and focuses on the 2025 defensive position groups. 
!NEW PROMOTION! – We’d love your feedback on this episode.  Email gary@leadersandnext.com with your feedback on this Spotify episode for a chance to win a FREE Leaders an Next Podcast T-SHIRT and an invite to our SPRING GAME TAILGATE.
> Dan’s getting old and needs cryotherapy (0:30)
> Defensive Backs (4:00) – The download on the Metcalf brothers from Arkansas and a Lamar Morgan addition from Louisiana.  We’re interested to see what McBurrough’s role is next season given the transfers in.
> Defensive Line (14:30) – Some “huge” gets including Damon Payne and Tre’ Williams.  Interior DL depth is … well … a good thing.
> Linebackers (28:45) – Troy Bowles from Georgia bolsters an already deep unit.
> Shout-Out Jimmy Rolder’s Eye Black (39:25)

Episode 24 - 2025 Transfer Portal Review (Offense)

Listeners, buckle up and hold on tight because we’re entering the portal.  In this episode, we highlight the position groups on Offense - covering the current state of the 2025 roster, the scholarship distribution, portal additions, and our projected future portal needs. 
 
> Quarterback (3:00) – We highlight the addition of Mikey Keene, and how we think he fits in with the quarterback room of Davis, Bryce and Jadyn.
 
> Running Back (10:00) – A loaded RB room gets even more impressive with Justice Haynes in the mix.  We try and predict the 3-deep while trying out the “Law & Order” nickname for our 1-2 punch of Marshall and Justice.
 
> Receiver (19:00) – We cover the addition of big-bodied, former All B1G receiver Donovan McCulley and how the addition of UMass’ Anthony Simpson fits into a room of 15 (!) scholarship receivers.
 
> Offensive Line (30:00) – Two new additions are welcomed to the Wolverines from the portal – tackle Brady Norton and guard (?) Lawrence Hattar.  We cover what little we know about them while pontificating about the need for more depth.
 
>Tight End (N/A) – We don’t cover Tight End because we are too loaded to need to.

Episode 23 - Season Recap Awards Show

The L&N crew hosts the inaugural Season Recap Awards to hand out the most prestigious accolades in all of college athletics (move over Heisman Trophy).  All prior guests of the show were eligible for an award, so hard decisions had to be made.  Join in for the fun, the debate, and relive what has been an amazing and action-packed first season for the podcast.
 
To our listeners - thank you for making our first season of the podcast so successful.  And a special thanks to our guests throughout the year, who made this possible and whose stories continue to inspire our mission.

Episode 22 - Special Guest Landan Updates on "The Game"

Dan catches up with a very special guest - Landan - one our listeners who won our OSU ticket giveaway contest back in November.  Landan was able to take in The Game down in Columbus with his Dad...so we just HAD to catch up with him to hear about his gameday experience at the Shoe.  He dishes on how the big moments of the game played out in the stadium, his view of the game aftermath, and the joyous walk back to the car through Columbus.

Episode 21 - 2025 Roster Preview (Defense)

Part 2 of the 2025 Roster Preview, this one focused on the defensive position groups.  Listen in so you can impress your friends and family with your Michigan Football knowledge this holiday season.

Episode 20 - 2025 Roster Preview (Offense & Special Teams)

Dan and Gary look ahead to 2025 with a preview of the offense and special teams position groups.  Debate ensues...