Fifth-year senior Will Heininger has received little playing time in his tenure with the Michigan football team, and even less recognition.

That is until early this week, when the Pioneer High School graduate was atop the Wolverines' depth chart at one of the defensive end positions.

AnnArbor.com talked to Heininger about starting Saturday against Western Michigan (3:30 p.m., ABC), his favorite Michigan traditions, honoring his late grandfather and more.

Q: Have you given thought to what it might be like to start on Saturday?

Will Heininger: "You know, those things are nice and being from Ann Arbor I don’t think there’s much more you can ask for than playing for this school. But in the end, it’s a coach’s decision and I’m just excited to play for Michigan and winning’s fun. That’s what I’m excited for more than if I’ll start or something like that."

Q: How is this defense going to be different than last year's?

WH: "I’m just excited to put what we’ve been coached to do on the field against somebody other than our team. We get sick of going against the same guys. I know you guys hear it all the time, but it's really true. You want to play somebody else, someone who doesn’t know what you’re doing every play. Because we know our offense inside and out and they know us. So, just to unleash what we have on other teams. I’m really excited."

Q: Do you take it as a personal challenge to disrupt Western Michigan quarterback Alex Carder, knowing that he is thought of in such high regard and can be a dangerous threat?

WH: "Their quarterback’s definitely the leader of their offense and he’s a good player, he makes them go. He can throw the ball around, he really can read defenses because he makes a lot of checks. So, of course we need to get after him because he’s a really good player. It’ll be a good challenge."

Q: For you personally, what do you think about when they say Michigan defense?

WH: "David Harris flying to the ball, Charles Woodson, (Shawn) Crable knocking people out. All those guys. Physical, in-your-face, beat you. That kind of stuff."

Q: Do you think there is a Greg Mattison effect on the defense?

WH: "There’s something to Coach Mattison. He’s just a great defensive coordinator, he’s a great coach. He really makes you want to play for him, to play hard for him. We have confidence in him. And he’s our leader and he always has our back and there’s always a good feeling playing for him."

Q: What’s the best part of game week and preparing for an actual opponent?

WH: "The best part of game week, I mean, can I say Saturday? Yeah, Saturday. The first play. Get on the field, smack somebody, that’s the best part."

Q: What's your favorite pre-game tradition?

WH: "I like the walk. The D-line always goes on a walk at the hotel, you know, before we have a couple hours in the morning before the game. We usually go after the pre-game meal and just take a quiet walk together as a group and then bring it up at the end. The seniors talk, so over the years it’s been someone different."

Q: Have you thought about what you’re going to say when it’s your turn?

WH: "I’ll probably let Ryan (Van Bergen) and Mike (Martin) talk."

Q: Have you been able to sack Denard Robinson in practice?

WH: "Oh man, I’m excited someone else has to chase Denard on Saturday, not us."

Q: What's your favorite class at Michigan?

WH: "An inner-city development class I took with Mark Rosentraub. It’s talking about how to develop cities through sports and through constructing the right types of arenas and then having people want to live there and move there and reviving cities like Detroit."

Q: Best part of Welcome Week?

WH: "That we get to play on Saturday."

Q: Do you have any personal game day superstitions?

WH: "Um, I don’t have any superstitions. My Papi, my grandpa, I like to have his initials or his name somewhere on me. My tape, or something like that, during the game to see him always.

Q. What’s his name?

WH: Charles Stevens. He’s from Columbus, but he’s a Michigan Man. He’s the biggest influence on my life and he passed just this past spring. He’s a great man and he’s part of the reason I’m here. He’s always out there watching over me."

Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2561, by email at petercunningham@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @petcunningham.