Grant Newsome is hoping he doesn’t have to wait much longer before he’s back on the football field competing for snaps.

Newsome suffered a gruesome leg injury during Michigan’s game against Wisconsin in 2016, one that nearly led to an amputation. But a year later, the Wolverines offensive lineman wants to be in the mix for a starting job well before the start of the 2018 season.

“Before then hopefully,” Newsome told the Detroit Free Press when asked if he’d be ready for the upcoming season. “as soon as possible.”

It’s fairly remarkable that Newsome is nearing a return considering the severity of his injury. He suffered a dislocated knee against the Badgers and was rushed into emergency surgery. At that time, surgeons feared they wouldn’t be able to save Newsome’s leg.

He went on to have six surgeries over the next two months.

Since then, Newsome has been rehabbing and has eyed a return for the 2018 season. And he’s hungrier than ever to get back on the field.

“Trying to get back on the field as soon as possible,” Newsome said. “I want to play right now. But it’s up to the doctors when they’ll let me go.”

The 6-foot-7, 315-pound Newsome was regarded as one of the top offensive linemen in the B1G prior to his injury. He was the starting left tackle for Michigan as a sophomore to start the 2016 season.