CHEEZ-IT CITRUS BOWL: MICHIGAN VS TEXAS

December 29, 2025

Donaven McCulley

Camping World Stadium

Michigan Wolverines

Day for Kids

Q. Have you met with Kyle Whittingham yet?

DONAVEN MCCULLEY: No, I haven't met with him one-on-one yet.

Q. What sort of vibes are you getting from him in these early days?

DONAVEN MCCULLEY: Really just -- I mean, I will leave that to the other guys, because I am not really coming back next year. I will leave that to the other guys.

Q. When you watch Texas on film, what jumps out at you?

DONAVEN MCCULLEY: They have some guys that could fly around. SEC football, you know, big matchup. So just going into the game, preparing, just like how we do every single week and taking every single rep seriously, Treating it like it is a game rep.

Q. Payback from what they beat you all a year ago, teammates, have they talked about that at all?

DONAVEN MCCULLEY: I haven't really heard much about it.

Q. Knowing this could be your final game, what's your approach?

DONAVEN MCCULLEY: Just trying to get everything -- like as much as I can possible. More film, more study with my coaches. More like individual time, catches after practice, stuff like that. Just know this is my last game, and I want to go out with a bang. Yeah, I want to go out with a bang.

Q. Both of these teams had designs on making the CFP. But this is your first Bowl game, so how excited are you?

DONAVEN MCCULLEY: Yeah, I am excited. This will be my first Bowl game. There are activities and stuff like that, just getting some camaraderie and stuff like that with the team, doing some events, hanging out with kids. That is what we did today at the park today. It was pretty fun right now. Can't wait for the game

Q. Did you consider not playing in this game?

DONAVEN MCCULLEY: Nah

Q. How come? Why not?

DONAVEN MCCULLEY: I think I need to play.

Q. With this being your first Bowl game do you feel like there's something to prove?

DONAVEN MCCULLEY: Yeah, definitely.

Q. Talk about being with the kids today.

DONAVEN MCCULLEY: Connecting with them today it was pretty fun. We got on these go-karts, and I almost lost to my kid. We were in a competitive race the whole time, it was just me and him. He's pretty good. It was pretty fun. I love interacting with kids and stuff like that.

This is where it starts. I feel like especially the youth, I feel like you have to start with the youth and get back to the youth because they look up to us and hanging out with them, showing them that we can take time out of our day is extremely important, because it shows them that they can to what we do.

Q. What's your year been like looking back?

DONAVEN MCCULLEY: Been a great experience. I have learned a lot. I feel like I have learned a lot at Michigan. I have grown a lot.

Q. Should Kyle Whittingham bring back Ron Bellamy on the staff?

DONAVEN MCCULLEY: Definitely. He should definitely bring back Coach Bellamy. He is going to help guys get to where they need to be, and that is obviously on them but I will let them handle that.

Q. Do you think there will be the same intensity in the Bowl game like in the regular season games?

DONAVEN MCCULLEY: I am not sure. I have never played in one. We are going to find out.

Q. Are you going to (inaudible)?

DONAVEN MCCULLEY: Yeah, I am going to turn for the draft.

Q. How do you think Bryce Underwood has improved?

DONAVEN MCCULLEY: I think he is definitely improved with just his feet, not getting happy feet, staying in the pocket when it breaks down and stuff like that. Just moving forward around and having to make tough throws, knowing he is going to get hit. That is something I try to tell him to do more is stay in the pocket and making those tough throws