In a lengthy interview with TheWolverine.com, former Michigan All-American DE Brandon Graham told writer Michael Spath that the Michigan teams he was on in 2008 and 2009 quit on former Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez. Additionally, Graham expressed his support for Brady Hoke, while adding that the 2011-13 teams he coached likely didn't have the talent or 'buy-in' to compete and that Hoke now has the roster talent to compete in the Big Ten.
"I played for two coaches, and even though I think I played pretty good for a guy that didn't recruit me, there are so many guys that just resent the change and they never let go of that, and they practice and do just about everything with a chip on their shoulder, and I was in my second year and that stuff was still going on so I think it's different when you have a team full of all the guys that you recruited.
"The buy-in factor is really important. My first year [in 2008] almost no one bought in and that really hurt us.
"In my second year, the way Tate [Forcier] started the year, guys wanted to believe, but as soon as we lost our first game, a lot of people that Coach Rodriguez didn't recruit just gave up. I just really think there is such a difference when it's a team full of players you recruited," Graham told Spath.
He added on Hoke: "I do think Brady Hoke is the guy that will turn them around. First year he did well, second year he was OK -- this year he finally has the guys he needs."
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