Leaders and Next

Episode 33 - Fullback Max Bredeson

Recurring guest and 2024 captain Max Bredeson joins the podcast.  
(1:55) - What Max wants all fans about him
(2:45) - Max quizzes us on our favorite Michigan games of all time
(7:00) - The story about how he learned he was captain last year
(8:30) - Too many singers on the team?
(11:30) - Fan Question #1 - Max's Favorite Legend from Finnean OMeara
(12:25) - The art of the pregame speech
(17:00) - Josh Ross shoutout
(17:45) - 2024 Season Recap
(25:40) - Fan Question #2 - Dealing with Adversity through the Highs and Lows from Ethean Huffman
(26:30) - Jalen Hoffman's and his dad Terry are Michigan Legends
(29:25) - Fan Question #3 - What drives the desire to dominate on every play by Anthony Rocca
(30:53) - Fan Question #4 - Who is Max's inspiration from Fullback Room
(36:00) - Looking ahead to the 2025 road schedule
(37:45) what should Dan do for the OU game with his wife due 1 day after gameday?
(38:45) - Chilling out with the non-football talk
(39:45) - Fan Question #5 - who comes out on top in a golf match with his roommates from Peyton O'Leary
(41:45) - Fan Question #6 - Do you ever get recognized ... by Jack Lagoria
(43:30) - Max's famous 2025 roster photo

Episode 32 - Post-Spring Reactions (Part 2 - Defense)

Part 2 of our reflection and reaction to Michigan’s Spring Game.  This episode is focused on the Defense.  Study up on the key position battles, fast-rising newcomers, and future surprise contributors for the 2025 season.
We set the stage and look at the big picture of the defense (00:47)
Saying the “F” word is awesome (2:40)
Defensive Line looks awesome and deep (3:00)
Linebackers are either old or young (11:00) and is Cole Sullivan too tall (13:45)
Cornerbacks held EA cover athletes to 6 catches and 45 yards last year (14:10) and Shamari Earls looks great in #2 (16:25)
Getting a beer with Wink would be awesome (18:15)
Safety is a little up and the air but we’re feeling good enough (20:50)

Episode 31 - Post-Spring Reactions (Part 1 - Offense and Special Teams)

Part 1 of our reflection and reaction to Michigan’s Spring Game.  This episode is focused on the Offense an Special Teams.  Study up on the key position battles, fast-rising newcomers, and future surprise contributors for the 2025 season.
1:20 – putting it all in perspective
2:15 – Quarterback; breaking down what we saw from Bryce and Jaydn
6:45 – Mikey Keene update
10:15 – Running Back; we’re jazzed up for
12:45 – Kudzal for President
14:45 – Wide Receiver; many (taller) guys
16:15 – Channing Goodwin was a nice surprise
17:50 – Tight End; we’ll miss Loveland no matter what, but deep group coming back
19:25 – Jalen Hoffman is a revelation
23:20 – Offensive Line; we’ll see?
27:30 – Ben Roebuck caught our eye as an up and coming player at Guard
28:45 – Comparison is the thief of joy
30:20 – Our MVP pick and biggest surprise “awards”
31:50 – Special Teams; our hero Zvada sat so we reach deep into the barrel here
33:20 – Obligatory long snapping discussion

Episode 30 - Tight End / Fullback Jalen Hoffman

Dan and Gary catch up with Jalen Hoffman, Michigan’s Tight-End / H-Back who exploded onto the scene after a monster 2025 spring game. 
Jalen had 7 catches for 148 yards and touchdown in the game, serving as Bryce Underwood’s primary target throughout the game.  (A surprise to many, but not to the studious and attentive fans)
In the interview, we get an in-depth view of “The Superman Play” from the Spring Game – and so much more.  We explore his journey from preferred walk-on to scholarship, the multiple positions he’s playing on offense, and how he’s prepared to carry on the “Team Over Me” culture at Michigan.

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.