Top 100 quarterback Peter Bourque always comes across as poised, and with a plan.
So in discussing his selection to the Navy All-American Bowl, the class of 2027 Michigan commit thought back to those who helped him get to this point, and to his goals from even a young age.
Prior to Friday's game, the Marion (Mass.) Tabor Academy standout was presented with his jersey for the game, which has added meaning since his grandfather served in the Vietnam War.
"I think about my goals from when I was little," Bourque said. "I always thought I had potential to play football at the highest level and doing the little things to get there, and a lot of help from my quarterback coach, Mike McCarthy.
"I've been working with him since I was in the fourth or fifth grade so he's been a huge help, my dad, of course, pushing me, and then (Tabor) coach (Jeff) Moore. Coach Moore has been a huge help getting my name out there, getting my name on the radar."
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Bourque is the No. 1 player in Massachusetts, the No. 8 quarterback and the No. 84 player in the nation in his class.
He is heading to the Jan. 10 game (1 p.m./NBC) in San Antonio with excitement, particularly because of the level of player in the game. His teammate, top 100 defensive lineman Carter Gooden, is also in the game.
"I want to play against the best of the best, of course," he said. "That will be really cool. It's the opportunity to meet some of the players because a lot of those guys are going to go on to do great things, so getting know some of them will be great.
"Also, playing with Carter will be awesome. He's one of my roommates so it will be cool."
The national visibility of the game is appealing to Bourque as well.
"Playing on t.v. is awesome," he said. "I am super excited for that. Having all my friends be able to watch me, people from my home town, all the people from Tabor watching will be really cool. Even the Michigan fans watching probably."
Bourque, who transferred to Tabor from West Roxbury (Mass.) Catholic Memorial, had a pair of teammates from there play in the game.
"This is the game (Boston College receiver) Jaedn Skeete and (Notre Dame offensive lineman) Guerby Lambert played in," he said. "So it is something I knew."