August 19, 2011
Rookie G/C understands Ohio State-Michigan rivalry -- intimately
Justin Boren was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in his last two years at Ohio State and a second-team All American in 2010 there.
But prior to playing for the Buckeyes, Boren spent the 2006 and 2007 campaigns at Michigan. His decision to transfer after the 2007 season coincided with Rich Rodriguez taking over the Wolverines program and resulted in him sitting out in 2008.
Boren, an undrafted rookie guard/center who is now with the Ravens, acknowledged that it wasn?t easy becoming only the third player in history to play for both of those teams in their storied rivalry.
?Yeah, it was pretty crazy,? said Boren, whose father Mike was a linebacker for Bo Schembechler. ?When I was getting recruited, it was always Ohio State or Michigan. They were the two schools I was choosing, and I loved them both. It was the hardest decision ever. So when stuff didn?t work out at Michigan, there was really only one other place that I considered playing, and I thought, ?Why not?? I knew it was a big rivalry, but it worked out great for me, and I wouldn?t change anything.?
Boren said it wasn?t difficult for him to switch allegiances.
?When I got to Ohio State, everyone welcomed me with open arms,? he said. ?They were awesome, and the fans embraced me. It was really an easy transition.?
Boren said his family and friends fully supported his decision. Others, however, weren?t quite as amenable.
?Some of my old teammates at Michigan weren?t quite as happy, but some of them were real supportive,? he said. ?I got a lot of flak from Michigan fans though.?
Boren?s decision to sign with the Ravens reunited him with offensive line coach Andy Moeller, who held the same position with the Wolverines when Boren was there.
Asked if Moeller holds his Buckeyes background against him, Boren smiled and said, ?No, not at all.?
