College career
Trent enrolled at the University of Michigan and was redshirted as a freshman. Trent played for the scout squad in 2004 and was assigned to play the role of the opponents' speediest players, including Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr. and Texas' Vince Young. Cornerback Ryan Mundy said of Trent, "His freshman year, it was Ohio State week, and he was playing Teddy Ginn. He would get a reverse, blaze around the corner, and I said, 'This dude is fast.'" [2]
Trent came to Michigan as a wide receiver, but was moved to the defensive backfield during spring practice in April 2005. Trent noted, "Coach Carr thought it would be a good fit for me. So we went through the spring, and it went pretty smooth. So we decided to do the switch." [5]
In the third game of the 2005 season, Trent snagged his first interception for the Wolverines. [5]
During the 2006 season, developed a reputation as "a gabby, physical corner who likes to boast, among other things, that he is the most fashionable player on the team, not to mention the fastest." [3] Asked about the transition to defense, Trent said, "I like corner, because you're out there on an island. Everybody sees you when you mess up, but everybody sees you when you make a good play, too. I really like corner. I didn't think I would, but I really do." [3] Trent played well for most of the season, as the 2006 Wolverines began the season 10-0. [6] However, he was criticized for giving up big plays in the team's only losses, against Ohio State and against USC in the 2007 Rose Bowl. [7] [8]
In 2007, Trent told reporters he had tried to grow from the criticism he received in 2006: "It makes you so strong when you go through it. It's not fun during it, while it goes, but it's worth it. You have to be thick-skinned about it, and it really has helped me grow as a player and as a person." [7]
By 2008, Trent had gone "from being picked on to being a top cornerback." [9] Before the 2008 season started, Trent noted, "It's been crazy, it's been a wild ride for me, you know, up and down. I think I've earned my spot for now so I'm just looking forward to keeping it and having a great year." [9]
Following his senior year, Trent played in the January 2009 East-West Shrine Game. In four years playing for Michigan, Trent played in 48 games, including 41 as a starter. He totaled 149 tackles and 8 interceptions. His total of 31 total passes defensed ranked seventh in Wolverines history. [4]
Track and field
In 2006, Trent also joined Michigan's track team as a sprinter. He said at the time, "Right when the football season was over, I started thinking about (running track). I've always wanted to, ever since I've been in college, but I wanted to establish myself in football first." [10] Trent made his debut for the track team in February 2006, placing sixth in the 200 meters at the Sykes-Sabok Challenge Cup with a time of 21.72 seconds. [10] He later posted the team's fastest 200 meters time at 21.67 seconds. [2]
Personal bests
| Event | Time (seconds) | Venue | Date |
|---|
| 60 meters | 6.83 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | March 8, 2003 |
| 200 meters | 21.67 | University Park, Michigan | February 11, 2006 |
