With Michigan’s season hanging in the balance, teammates Cade McNamara and Erick All were laughing on the sidelines.
“I don’t even remember what we were laughing about,” says All of his former team’s November 2021 clash at Penn State. “We just knew we were going to win that game.”
The Nittany Lions had just taken the lead late in the fourth quarter on a field goal. But on the ensuing possession, as a white-out Happy Valley crowd roared, McNamara calmly connected with his roommate and tight end for a 47-yard game-winning touchdown.
“Before we scored, Erick and I looked at each other, and we knew we were going to do that,” says McNamara. “That’s just a part of our chemistry—we both have fun and are super comfortable with each other. But also, when it comes to crunch time, we can count on one another.”
Three weeks later, the former four-star recruits helped lead the Wolverines to a Big Ten championship game victory over Iowa.
McNamara and All were voted as captains ahead of the 2022 season, but the duo missed most of the year with injuries. McNamara suffered a right knee injury, and All injured his back. McNamara announced in December 2022 he was transferring to Iowa, and All made the same decision two weeks later. Reconnected and rejuvenated in Iowa City, the seniors—who each have two years of eligibility—are driven to capture another conference title with the Hawkeyes this fall.