[su_spacer size=”20″] On day three of Georgia’s 2015 Fall Camp, sophomore running back Sony Michel was allowed to talk with the media. He addressed his shoulder injury and talked about team leadership.
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Sony was asked if he felt like he was the “forgotten man” in the backfield:
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Nah. That isn’t something I have actually thought about it; me being the forgotten man. It’s not really about me. We try to focus on team, trying to build leadership right now. That is one of our big goals.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Sony was asked if it was still in the plans for him to work on special teams:
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I’m going to work hard; so, I can earn a starting spot on every special teams unit. Right now, I’m on the list. I’m on the depth chart, and I’m working my way up, trying to be a starter on each one of those phases.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Sony was asked about his injury back in the spring that kept him out:
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Fractured scapula.

[su_spacer size=”40″] He was then asked if it was the same shoulder he injured last season and to describe that injury:
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Yeah. It was a broken shoulder blade; so, it was the same thing.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Sony was asked if he thought or if there was concern that his shoulder could be a chronic or reoccurring issue:
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No concern. It was how my shoulder pads were fitted. My shoulder was too much exposed, and I just got some new shoulder pads; so, I’ll be ready to go.

[su_spacer size=”40″] He was asked if he felt comfortable and confident in the new shoulder pads:
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Yes.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Sony was asked what was the process and length of time for getting fitted for new shoulder pads:
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Not that long. I’d say it’s a 30 minute process.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Sony was asked about the new off season strength and conditioning program by Coach Hocke:
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Coach Hocke’s program is one of those systems that everybody on the team has bought into. There is not one person on this team that didn’t buy into this system. … His program is built around leadership. We are really trying to just teach everybody on this team how to be leaders from freshmen to seniors.

[su_spacer size=”40″] He was asked about his weight now compared to what he played at last season:
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My weight right now is probably just 3 lbs higher. I played at 205 last year, and I’m at 208 right now. Best I have felt ever.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Sony was then pressed again about special teams and returning kicks:
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Yeah. I try to return kicks, but you know we got a super hero back there, Isaiah McKenzie. I’m excited. I hope I’m back there. I’m on it to just be able to block for him. If I am on it just to block for him, I’ll be excited.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Sony was then asked about how fast Isaiah McKenzie was, and in a 100 yard dash, who would win: him or McKenzie:
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He would win. … He would win by a good bit. He’s that impressive.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Sony was asked how Isaiah McKenzie has changed since high school and last year and what improvements he has made in order to help the offense:
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Isaiah from high school to college, I’ve seen so much improvement in his growth, and he just gets better and better every year. It’s just like “wow!” He’s really learning the game. He’s a student of the game. He knows the playbook. He’s out there teaching those young guys ‘Hey. Run this.’ He’s a leader also. That’s one thing I see. I sit back and just observe. I kind of like to observe, and I see him building.

[su_spacer size=”40″] I was really impressed with Sony Michel. If you noticed, he emphasized how important leadership and team are. It came through in his responses about competing at running back and especially to the questions about him playing on special teams and returning kicks. It seems that Coach Hocke’s strength and conditioning has done more than just build up and condition these young men physically, but it has also conditioned them mentally and built up their maturity.
[su_spacer size=”40″] I am personally excited and happy to see Sony back healthy along with his fellow running backs Keith Marshall and A.J. Turman. I look forward to watching him progress this fall camp and see what he does for his sophomore campaign with the Bulldawgs.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Here is the full video of the interview:
[su_spacer size=”40″] Sony Michel Interview “Leadership”