INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Texas A&M running back Christine Michael didn't receive a single carry in the team's Cotton Bowl win against Oklahoma, and he still doesn't know why.
2013 NFL Scouting Combine: Christine Michael ready to put senior season behind him
Michael feels a weight off his shoulders now that his nightmare senior season has come to an end.
Bob Levey
The game was a blowout with the Aggies dominating the Sooners 41-13. Despite taking reps as a starter in practice all week, Michael didn't get to touch the football. But Johnny Manziel approached Michael after the game, put his arm around him and told him the best was yet to come.
“It was a blur to me,” Michael said. “It was shocking to me, it’s still shocking to this day. He told me, ‘The world is going to see, someone’s going to see.’”
Michael’s senior season at Texas A&M was a struggle. The coaching and scheme changes at A&M led to to a significant decrease in Michael’s playing time and production. He said he didn’t handle the situation as well as he should have but has learned from the situation.
“Sometimes you just live in you learn,” he said. “A lot of things got shaky. I kind of went in my own tunnel and got real stubborn. I was just in my own world.”
With the lack of playing time and production, Michael’s draft stock took a hit during his senior season. Despite the frustrations of his senior season, Michael has no regrets about finishing his career with the Aggies.
“It’s all a blessing,” Michael said. “I don’t regret anything. Everything happens for a reason.”
Michael has had to overcome some significant injuries in his career, including a broken leg and a torn ACL. Add that to his lack of playing time as a senior, and the deck appears to be stacked against him. But Michael insists his work ethic is his strongest trait.
”Honestly, as a player that is constantly working hard, I train to be a first-round pick, Michael said. “You tell me the last time you’ve seen a running back who’s broke his leg and come back and torn his ACL another year and come back. My work ethic is incredible.”
“One day it will show,” Michael added. “They have great running backs in this class, but I’m looking to be the best.”
While other running backs were participating in the Senior Bowl, Michael had to settle for the East-West Shrine Game, where he had an impressive showing. More so than his strong performance, Michael was excited to move forward.
“Once I got to the All-Star Game, I felt a lot of pressure was off,” Michael said. “I felt free.”
At the combine, Michael knows he has as much to prove in the interview process as he does on the field. Though with the lack of senior year tape he has, he knows he has some on-the-field work to do as well.
“I definitely say interviews,” Michael said when asked where he has to show improvement. “I just want to re-prove myself on the field too.I haven’t had great interviews and I haven’t had much success on the field lately.”
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