Carmello English, based in Phenix City, has settled in Michigan.

 Carmelo English poses during Rose Bowl media day Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, in Pasadena, California.

Engels grew up in Phenix City, Alabama.

Carmello English gave up the chance to play against Alabama every year when he decided to leave his hometown for college, but he will get that opportunity as a freshman.

English has played in six games at receiver and special teams for Michigan this season and earned his chance to start against the Crimson Tide in Monday’s Rose Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal.

It was something he didn’t expect to happen so quickly when he signed with the Wolverines, even before the name Alabama, Michigan’s Rose Bowl opponent, flashed across the screen on Dec. 3.

“Absolutely not,” English said at Saturday’s Rose Bowl media day. “Not even a second.” “Honestly, I was surprised.

I never thought I’d get the chance to play these songs in the Big Ten Conference, even on the road. …

I thought it was going to be Florida State. It’s really crazy.”English played a key role at Central-Phoenix City, one of the state’s top high school programs.

The four-star prospect briefly signed with Auburn in the summer and fall of his senior season before signing with Michigan last December.

England’s 6-foot-1, 190-pounder got a chance to run the ball in his first college game, returning a punt 8 yards against East Carolina on Sept.

2. He only caught one pass all season, but it was a 4-yard touchdown in a 52-7 loss at Indiana in mid-October.”I want to play for Central.

I’m actually being recruited by Michigan,” English said. “Michigan coaches make time for everyone and everyone strives to be at the top of their game.

The same thing happened in the center. “It’s been a great environment with so many people working to help us succeed.

“Carmelo EnglishMichigan State’s Carmello English will compete in an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 2 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

English was one of the top-rated players in Michigan’s 2023 recruiting class, ranked in the top 20 by most majors.

In addition to Auburn, Kentucky, Miami and Colorado were among the most difficult recruiting programs.

What brought him to Michigan, he said, was the idea that they wouldn’t give him anything (not even an effective NIL deal) with the Wolverines “making you work for what you want.”

He also developed a special bond with the highly intense Michigan boss Jim Harbaugh.

“At the end of the day, he’s a players’ coach from start to finish,” Harbaugh said.

“He cares about his players. I don’t think a lot of people understand that about him, but he’s the kind of guy you want to be around 24/7.

He makes you his family.But not everyone in his hometown is rooting for Engels and his team to succeed this week.

Phenix City has a long tradition of sending football players to Alabama, from Jeremiah Castile and Woodrow Rowe in the 1970s and 1980s to Xevion Cohen and Isaiah Farga more recently.

But Engels is not too worried. He understands that fans will always be fans.

“Honestly, it was ridiculous,” English said. “A lot of people still say they support me, but the Alabama fans are really loud.”

Kickoff for Monday’s Rose Bowl between Alabama and Michigan is 4 p.m. Central airs on ESPN.

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