ANN ARBOR - The recent election held in the Michigan football locker room had to be one of the easiest to predict since Adam got both votes for mayor of the Garden of Eden.

The Wolverines chose running back Mike Hart, offensive lineman Jake Long and linebacker Shawn Crable as their symbolic leaders for the 2007 season. They come highly decorated and heavily credentialed.

Hart stepped into a starter's role as a freshman three years ago, and as a senior should become Michigan's all-time leading rusher as he needs only 794 yards to pass Anthony Thomas. The Syracuse native is an All-American, a two-time first team All-Big Ten selection, and possesses an effervescent personality that makes him a natural in this leadership role.

"This was obviously something I looked forward to," Hart said. "I thought I could make a great captain. I've been a leader my whole life. If it didn't happen, I probably would have been upset. But it isn't something that would have made me stop leading or something like that. I think it's one of the greatest honors you can receive."

Long is a Michigan captain for a second year, having filled that role last season when he was a consensus All-American and the Big Ten's offensive lineman of the year. The Lapeer, Mich., native is just the 11th two-time captain in Michigan football history, and the first since offensive tackle Steve Hutchinson (1999, 2000).

"It's an amazing honor, and I could never have dreamt of this happening - not only once, but twice," Long said. "To have that respect is just amazing.

"I didn't fully expect it. Last year was last year, and there's a clean slate now. I was hoping I would be captain, but there was never a full expectation that I should be."

Crable is the lone remaining anchor from Michigan's defense from 2006 that allowed just over 43 yards rushing per game - lowest in the country. The native of Massillon is a fifth-year senior who was second-team All-Big Ten a year ago, and Michigan's only returning starter at linebacker.

"I didn't know it was going to be me, and when they said it, I was just as surprised as everybody else," Crable said. "I talked to a couple of people and they liked the way I played. A lot of the young guys followed me and stuff like that. It was something I thought could happen, but I really didn't think it would."

Crable said he tends to be more laid back in his dealings with teammates, but he expects that might need to change now that he is called on to lead a somewhat young and inexperienced defense.

"I think last year was kind of easy for me to just sit back and play and worry about me and competing," Crable said. "But I can be in your face if I need to. I'm not afraid to attack anybody or fight anybody if I need to in order to get them to do what they are supposed to."

Michigan coach Lloyd Carr expressed confidence in the trio, whom he said had proven themselves in every aspect, and represented the program and the university well.

"I think our team really made three great choices here," Carr said. "They are all very passionate and are very much team guys. They just want to win. That really, I think, says a lot about our team. They want to win, and that's what they based their decision on."

Noticeably missing from the captain roster is senior quarterback and four-year starter Chad Henne, but Hart said that won't change a thing as far as leadership on the field. Henne, soft-spoken and somewhat reserved away from the game, is still in charge.

"Everyone knows that Chad is a more laid-back guy, but he gets the job done, and he leads when he needs to lead," Hart said.

"I haven't seen him upset at all that he wasn't voted captain. He knows what he has to do. He knows it's his offense, I know it's his offense, and Jake knows it's his offense. We're going to let Chad lead when it's his turn. When we're in that huddle, it's his offense, and I'm not going to say anything."

The Wolverines open the season Sept. 1 against Appalachian State at Michigan Stadium.

Contact Matt Markey at:

mmarkey@theblade.com

or 419-724-6510.

First Published August 23, 2007, 11:41 a.m.