ORLANDO, Fla. — This year, bowl prep means a little bit more for Chuck Filiaga.
The redshirt sophomore offensive lineman has waited his turn behind starting guards Ben Bredeson and Michael Onwenu, both multi-year starters and all-Big Ten honorees.
And while Filiaga has seen a snap here and there, his chance for real playing time begins Jan. 1 against Alabama in the Citrus Bowl (1 p.m., ABC). Bredeson and Onwenu will say goodbye to Michigan after the game, opening up the two guard spots and an opportunity for the Aledo, Texas, native.
“Yeah,” Filiaga said, when asked if he recognizes it.
The 6-foot-6, 341-pound Filiaga was on hand Sunday for a team outing at Main Event Entertainment, a bowling alley and arcade. The event served as a brief break from football, with the Wolverines slated to use five of their 15 allotted bowl practices in Florida.
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While prepping for Alabama remains important, coaches also use the extra time to begin prepping the next players in line.
“It’s very important,” Filiaga said of the extra practices. “Fixing up stuff that I have to work on, and then improving every little detail that I have.”
Filiaga played in nine games during his redshirt freshman season in 2018, primarily at right guard and special teams, then took on both guard spots this season, 2019. His workload was increased this season, taking mostly second-team reps in 11 games.
In October, Michigan offensive line coach Ed Warinner said Filiaga, a former four-star recruit, will be in line for the starting left guard position in 2020. And that he controls his future.
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“He has a lot of ability,” Warinner said. "Very likable kid. He has a lot of gifts, (and) some things he needs to work on as well. But that’s the thing about Chuck -- he’s not afraid of working. He comes out there every day and he practices in those Monday practices to get better every week.
“So, his future is in his control.”
While Filiaga is listed at 341 pounds, he says he’s closer to 350, a weight he’s comfortable playing at. He also says he’s faster and stronger than when he started at Michigan, a necessity to compete against some of the bigger defensive lines in the Big Ten.
On the opportunity to start next season, Filiaga said: “That’s the only kind of mindset you need.”
“Chuck will determine whether he becomes a starter here or not,” Warinner said. “There’s nothing holding him back. It’s not like he’s not quite big enough, or not quite strong enough, or not quite this or that.”
Read more on Michigan football:
2020 OL commit Micah Mazzccua still plans to sign with U-M
Alabama offense still elite with backup QB, Don Brown says
Alabama DC has high praise for QB Shea Patterson
Don Brown: ‘We’ve moved on’ from Ohio State loss
How Michigan’s early enrollees have benefited from practicing with team
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