Cam McGrone has a lot of confidence. When you think your team has the best linebacker unit in the B1G, why wouldn’t you have it?

In a recent Zoom call, McGrone said that he believes Michigan’s linebacker group is the best the B1G has to offer heading into the 2020 season, even with all the obstacles the offseason has presented. The combination of speed, strength and intelligence is what sets UM apart from the rest of the league.

“I feel like we have the best combination of speed and physicality,” McGrone said, according to WolverinesWire. “Our linebacking group is so smart – even our young guys. They’re catching along really fast. Really little mental errors throughout all the practices. Just a combination of all those things. I think that’s what’s making us the best in the country.”

McGrone, an Indianapolis native, had a solid year as a sophomore in 2019. He collected 65 stops with 9 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a pass break-up and a forced fumble. He, along with Josh Ross, will be the anchors at the linebacker position for the Wolverines in 2020.

But holding down the best linebacker unit in the B1G isn’t a two-man job. And McGrone believes the depth and talent in the room is unlike anything you’d find across the conference. He had particular praise for fellow linebacker Mike Barrett.

“It’s been amazing. It’s kind of like being out there with myself sometimes,” McGrone said. “Sometimes I throw on film, we look like the same. We’re moving the same, taking the same steps, same things. It’s really kinda crazy. Just like Mike – my freshman year, second semester, me and Josh are roommates, just talking about playing together, how fun that would be. And now we finally get that chance. I’m just scared for everybody else, honestly. I’m scared.”

Michigan is set to open up the 2020 season against Minnesota. The Wolverines will play four teams that were ranked in the initial preseason poll this fall, including the Gophers, Wisconsin, Penn State and Ohio State.