2022 Season Countdown: #10 Jake Moody

 

Jake Moody

Name: Jake Moody
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 210 lbs.
High school: Northville (MI) Northville
Position: Kicker
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #13
Last year: I ranked Moody #7 and said he would be the starting kickoff specialist and placekicker (LINK). He was the kickoff specialist and made 23/25 field goals and 56/56 extra points.
TTB Rating: N/A

Moody went from being a question mark in 2020 - when he made just 1/4 field goals - to a consensus All-American in 2021. It's probably not a coincidence that fellow kicker Quinn Nordin had gone to the NFL after the 2020 season. It seemed like the pressure of Nordin lurking over his shoulder had been a bit too ominous for him to overcome. Once Nordin was gone, Moody turned into a star. He won the Lou Groza Award as the top kicker in the country and was Big Ten Kicker of the Year.

Moody should be very good again in 2022. Whether he repeats as a winner of all those awards or not, you never know. Other guys could have great seasons, too. If he makes 23/25 field goals and another guy makes 24/25, hats off to the other guy. But it's not often you get a consensus All-American returning despite being draft eligible. So why is Moody at #10? I can put a kicker in the top ten - or even at #7 like I did last year - but it's tough to rank a guy all the way at the top who doesn't play full-time on offense or defense.

Prediction: Starting kickoff specialist and placekicker

2022 Season Countdown: #11 Gemon Green

 

Gemon Green

Name: Gemon Green
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 181 lbs.
High school: DeSoto (TX) DeSoto
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #22
Last year: I ranked Green #9 and said he would be a starting cornerback with 32 tackles and 1 interception (LINK). He started six games and made 24 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and 2 pass breakups.
TTB Rating: 82

Green was expected by some, including me, to build on the end of his 2020 season and blossom into a quality starter for the Wolverines. However, as the season went along, he ceded playing time to the two starters, Vincent Gray and D.J. Turner II. As it turned out, Green was basically a third starter at the cornerback position. He didn't take the next step like some expected, but he was at least a functional player for the Wolverines.

Now that Vincent Gray is gone, Green is expected to start the season opposite Turner. With a good chunk of experience over the past two seasons, he should be a quality starter. The main guy lurking in the background is true freshman Will Johnson, who may start at some point but has also been playing some nickel and could factor in there. Green is a feisty, long corner who is frequently in position to challenge for the football, and I'd like to see him come up with a few more PBUs or INTs. But he should be a solid corner in 2022.

Prediction: Starting cornerback; 40 tackles, 1 interception

Ex-Wolverine Player Updates: Pre-season 2022

 

Zach Charbonnet

FORMER PLAYERS

OG Zach Carpenter (Indiana): Carpenter is a redshirt junior who is expected to start at center for the Hoosiers.

RB Zach Charbonnet (UCLA): Charbonnet ran for 1,137 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and returns for his senior season.

Sammy Faustin (UMass): Faustin transferred to UMass this off-season and will battle for playing time under former Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown, who is now the head coach of the Minutemen.

OG Chuck Filiaga (Minnesota): Filiaga is a sixth year senior who is expected to start at guard for the Gophers.

CB Darion Green-Warren (Nevada): Green-Warren is a redshirt freshman who is in contention to start at cornerback for the Wolfpack.

Hit the jump for more.

2022 Season Countdown: #12 Erick All

 

Erick All (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Erick All
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 255 lbs.
High school: Fairfield (OH) Fairfield
Position: Tight end
Class: Senior
Jersey number: #83
Last year: I ranked All #19 and said he would be the starting tight end with 25 catches for 250 yards and 3 touchdowns (LINK). He started eight games and made 38 catches for 437 yards and 2 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 75

All had a breakout season in 2021. After struggling with drops and confidence in 2020, he became a very reliable target for Cade McNamara. Whether it was McNamara or the coaching staff, somebody decided to focus on him more as the season went along. After not topping 28 yards in the first half of the year, he had games with 98, 64, 63, and 43 yards down the stretch, including a 10-catch performance against Michigan State. But the biggest highlight of his year was the 47-yard game winning catch and run against Penn State. Michigan got man coverage and ran a pick route for All, who dragged across the field and outraced the entire defense to pull out kind of an ugly win.

In many years, someone like All could be ranked even higher, but the depth at tight end is pretty ridiculous. Michigan has four seniors at the position (All, Joel Honigford, Luke Schoonmaker, and walk-on Carter Selzer), and perhaps the most talented guys have barely played yet, like Louis Hansen, Matt Hibner, and Colston Loveland. All has been named a captain and is a good blocker, so he's an important piece of an offense that will frequently use multiple tight ends.

Prediction: Starting tight end; 40 catches for 430 yards and 3 touchdowns

2022 Season Countdown: #13 Cornelius Johnson

 

Cornelius Johnson (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Cornelius Johnson
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 208 lbs.
High school: Greenwich (CT) Brunswick
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Senior
Jersey number: #6
Last year: I ranked Johnson #14 and said he would be a starting wide receiver with 35 catches for 540 yards and 5 touchdowns (LINK). He started all fourteen games and made 39 catches for 620 yards and 3 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 87

Johnson signed with Michigan in 2019 looking the part of a pro-ready player. He was known for being mature and focused, and nothing that has happened since has detracted from that. He was also a good route runner with some sneaky speed, and that continues to be the case. Against Northern Illinois in week three last season, he caught the third longest pass in Michigan history, going 87 yards for a touchdown. After three seasons on campus, he now has three 100+ yard games against NIU (2021), Indiana (2021), and Rutgers (2020).

Johnson looks the part of a future pro at 6'3" and over 200 pounds. He looks like the prototype that used to roll through Michigan regularly from the 1990s through the early 2000s. So despite the depth of Michigan's receiver room, I have him pushed up here at #13 because he's the only proven guy on the roster who looks and plays like a guy with speed who has a good catch radius. Darrius Clemson has been earning rave reviews as a freshman, and redshirt freshman Cristian Dixon has the size but not the athleticism. But Johnson can go deep, run intermediate routes, and even catch some screens or grab some end arounds or reverses to keep defenses honest. He seems to be a favorite of quarterback Cade McNamara and should have another good season in 2022. The only thing holding me back from predicting an uptick in usage is the fact that Ronnie Bell returns from injury and should soak up some targets.

Prediction: Starting wide receiver; 36 catches for 560 yards and 5 touchdowns

2022 Season Countdown: #14 Mike Morris

 

Mike Morris

Name: Mike Morris
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 292 lbs.
High school: Belle Glade (FL) American Heritage
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #90
Last year: I ranked Morris #48 and said he would be a backup defensive end (LINK). He started four games and made 17 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 0.5 sacks, 1 interception, and 2 pass breakups.
TTB Rating: 81

Morris broke into playing time in 2021 after being almost a complete unknown. He had only played one game in 2020 and redshirted in 2019. As a 6'6", 276-pound defensive end - who probably would have morphed into a tackle under Don Brown - he lined up in a variety of spots and showed his versatility. At times he would come off the edge like the 2021 version of Aidan Hutchinson (though not as effective). At other times he would line up as a blitzing linebacker, a la an old-school Shawn Crable. He never made any wow plays, but by the end of the season, I got comfortable seeing him out there and trusting that he wasn't going to be taken advantage of.

Now with Hutchinson gone, Michigan needs a new edge rusher. Morris has put on 16 pounds since last year, which makes me think he definitely won't be the guy to take Hutchinson's role as the primary pass rusher. That rush will probably have to come from somewhere else. But the scuttlebutt out of practice is that the 292-pound Morris will line up everywhere, from nose tackle to 3-tech to 5-tech to 9-tech. His athleticism at that size may be in question, but practice hype suggests he will play a ton and be used all over the defensive line. He may not be the most exciting player, but his deployment will be interesting to watch this season.

Prediction: Starting defensive end; 40 tackles, 3 sacks

2022 Season Countdown: #15 Donovan Edwards

 

Donovan Edwards (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Donovan Edwards
Height: 6'1”
Weight: 204 lbs.
High school: West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield
Position: Running back
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #7
Last year: I ranked Edwards #36b and said he would be a backup running back (LINK). He ran 35 times for 174 yards and 3 touchdowns; caught 20 passes for 265 yards and 1 touchdown; and completed 1 pass for a 75-yard touchdown.
TTB Rating: 90

Edwards didn't do much at the beginning of his 2021 season, aside from running away from Northern Illinois. In fact, for the entire season, he only averaged over 4.0 yards per carry three times - against Western Michigan, Northern Illinois, and Ohio State (the last of which included just 1 carry for 8 yards). He showed some talent, but he just never quite had that breakdown came.

And then came Maryland. Through ten games, Edwards had 2 catches for 14 yards. And in game eleven against the Terps, Edwards broke out for 10 catches for 170 yards and 1 touchdown. Michigan used him as a fifth receiver, and nobody from Maryland was prepared or able to cover him. It was the best receiving performance from a Michigan running back in school history, and it came for a guy with 2 career catches up to that point. Then a couple weeks later, Michigan used the threat of him to get a touchdown against Ohio State and a double pass to have him throw a 75-yard touchdown to Roman Wilson.

Edwards wasn't exactly flying under the radar coming out of high school, considering he was an elite national recruit. But he's definitely on people's radar now. With Hassan Haskins having gone to the Tennessee Titans, Edwards seems to be in line for a lot more snaps, including more opportunities to run the ball. He was listed at 190 pounds last season and is up to 204, so hopefully he's going to be as durable as possible. His array of skills - running, catching, passing - were on display in high school, and perhaps some were unfamiliar with the fact that he was a Wildcat type quarterback at times in high school, too. It remains to be seen whether he can really run between the tackles with regularity, but he can do a lot of different things. He and Blake Corum should make a nice duo out of Michigan's backfield.

Prediction: Part-time starting running back

2022 Season Countdown: #16 Rod Moore

 

Rod Moore (image via MLive)

Name: Rod Moore
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: Clayton (OH) Northmont
Position: Safety
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #19
Last year: I ranked Moore #87 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He started four games and made 32 tackles and 1 pass breakup.
TTB Rating: 72

Moore was a pleasant surprise in 2021. Safety is a difficult position at which to contribute for a freshman, but Moore stepped in and played in an experienced secondary. Older players like Makari Paige, Jalen Perry, and German Green were left on the sideline while the precocious freshman started big games down the stretch against Penn State, Ohio State, and Georgia. The coaching staff raved about him, and word out of practices suggested he was a football nut who watched film and prepared like a future pro.

So here Moore takes a giant leap, from #87 in 2021 to #16 in 2022. With the departure of Brad Hawkins and Daxton Hill, I could probably make an argument for Moore to be ranked even higher. But it's hard for me to place a sophomore safety with four starts under his belt too awfully high in the countdown. After suffering an injury in the spring, he's still expected to start this fall, whether it's at safety or nickel. Other guys in the running seem to be R.J. Moten and Makari Paige, with fifth year senior German Green, redshirt junior Caden Kolesar, redshirt junior Jalen Perry, and freshman Keon Sabb all reportedly providing depth.

Prediction: Starting safety

2022 Season Countdown: #17 Trevor Keegan

 

Trevor Keegan (image via Twitter)

Name: Trevor Keegan
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 305 lbs.
High school: Crystal Lake (IL) Crystal Lake
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #77
Last year: I ranked Keegan #25 and said he would be the starting left guard (LINK). He started eleven games at left guard.
TTB Rating: 81

Keegan, a highly rated offensive tackle recruit, really came on in 2021. After being a part-time player as a redshirt freshman in 2020, he solidified the left guard position, winning it from then fifth year senior Chuck Filiaga. (Filiaga has since transferred to Minnesota for a sixth year.) Keegan was listed at 324 pounds last season and he was a powerful blocker, good enough to be named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and media.

This year Keegan has dropped 19 pounds, presumably to be a little more mobile. There hasn't been any talk of players pushing him to start, so I think he has the left guard job pinned down for a second year. I think some of the all-conference awards are more career achievement awards when it comes to linemen, so since he was honorable mention last season, he could very well be a Second Team or even First Team All-Big Ten selection this season if the Wolverines have success on offense.

Prediction: Starting left guard

2022 Season Countdown: #18 Kris Jenkins, Jr.

 

Kris Jenkins, Jr. (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Kris Jenkins, Jr.
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 285 lbs.
High school: Olney (MD) Our Lady of Good Counsel
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #94
Last year: I ranked Jenkins #78 and said he would be a backup defensive tackle (LINK). He started four games and made 22 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss.
TTB Rating: 77

Jenkins didn't exactly have a breakout season in 2021, but he definitely made his presence felt, which is saying something for a redshirt freshman defensive lineman. Weighing in the 260s, he used his quickness, leverage, and strength to get underneath and split offensive linemen. I kept expecting to see him get blown off the ball, and it almost never happened. In Michigan's amorphous defensive front, he started a handful of games, playing 3-tech and some 5-tech. He didn't make a lot of plays, but he didn't get taken advantage of very often, either.

Jenkins has put on about 20 pounds this off-season and appears to be ready to take over for Chris Hinton at defensive tackle. There have been positive reports from practices talking about his ability to make an impact. I expect him to be a starter, but how much of a difference-maker will he be? Considering his quickness and pedigree - his dad and uncle play defensive tackle in the NFL - he has the potential to be pretty good, but whether he gets there as a redshirt sophomore is a question. I tend to think most interior defensive linemen need to get to year four or year five before they really take off. Jenkins should begin to break out this year and then 2023 could be a very good year.

Prediction: Starting defensive tackle; 35 tackles, 2 sacks

2022 Season Countdown: #19 Trente Jones

 

Trente Jones (image via UMGoBlue)

Name: Trente Jones
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 311 lbs.
High school: Loganville (GA) Grayson
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #53
Last year: I ranked Jones #34 and said he would be a backup offensive tackle (LINK). He started two games as a sixth lineman and played in all fourteen games.
TTB Rating: 88

Last year there was quite a battle on the offensive line to see who would start. Trente Jones, Karsen Barnhart, and Chuck Filiaga were all in the running to start somewhere along the line, and all three lost their position battles. Jones became the sixth lineman and played in every game wearing #80 as an extra tight end (or #53 when he came in as a tackle during blowouts). Barnhart played as a backup, and Filiaga was a part-time starter. It portends good things when you're the sixth offensive lineman for a team, and there was some buzz about Jones, particularly about his athleticism. And it helped the offensive to have a 300+ pound tight end.

Fast forward to 2022. Filiaga has transferred to Minnesota for his sixth and final year, while Barnhart and Jones have remained to duke it out at right tackle. While Barnhart has more experience playing standard offensive line positions, it seems that Jones has at least written in pencil his name on the starting offensive line. It appears that Barnhart will once again be a backup - at least until Ryan Hayes leaves after this season - and Jones will be replacing Andrew Stueber at right tackle. I think Jones is a good athlete with a powerful base, and I expect him to give a Stueber-like performance. In other words, he should be very reliable without being a truly dominant player.

Prediction: Starting right tackle

2022 Season Countdown: #20 J.J. McCarthy

 

J.J. McCarthy (image via GBMWolverine)

Name: J.J. McCarthy
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 196 lbs.
High school: Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
Position: Quarterback
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #9
Last year: I ranked McCarthy #36a and said he would be a backup quarterback (LINK). He completed 34/59 passes for 516 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, while also running 27 times for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 89

Ballyhooed quarterback J.J. McCarthy signed with Michigan in 2021 with sky-high expectations. The 5-star quarterback had a rocket arm, good speed, and an ability to say all the right things that Michigan fans wanted to hear. And if he didn't already fit in with the Michigan crowd, did I mention he played a lot of hockey growing up?

It didn't take long for McCarthy to make good on his athletic prowess. In his first game in a Michigan uniform, he scrambled right, looked a little bit lost, and then chucked a deep ball all the way across the field to the left numbers, over a defensive back's head, and into the waiting arms of speedy Daylen Baldwin, who took it the rest of the way for a 69-yard touchdown. He made several tantalizing plays with his arm and his legs throughout the year.

I had a hard time slotting in McCarthy in this season's countdown. Some fans want him to start game one. Some insiders think he'll start by the end of the season. Personally, I wouldn't rock the boat, considering incumbent starter Cade McNamara went 12-2 last season. But Jim Harbaugh has shown before - when he changed quarterbacks from Alex Smith to Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco - that he is not afraid to make changes, even when the starter is doing pretty well.

I think McNamara will be the starter week one, and McCarthy will mix in throughout the year. McCarthy certainly brings a different element when it comes to mobility and arm strength, but winning is what matters most. I wouldn't expect a change in the starter unless McNamara plays very poorly or starts losing games.

Prediction: Backup quarterback

2022 Season Countdown: #21 R.J. Moten

 

R.J. Moten (image via 247 Sports)

Name: R.J. Moten
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 223 lbs.
High school: Delran (NJ) Delran
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #6
Last year: I ranked Moten #52 and said he would be a backup safety (LINK). He started five games and made 34 tackles, 1 interception, and 4 pass breakups.
TTB Rating: 68

Moten earned some practice buzz going into 2021, which gave me a feeling that he would come off a redshirt year and play quite a bit. That turned out to be the case, as he ended up starting for approximately a third of the season. With Michigan shifting Daxton Hill to the nickel spot, Moten started next to Brad Hawkins early in the season. But as the year went along, he started to lose some playing time to freshman Rod Moore.

Now that Hill and Hawkins are gone, Moten is likely locked in as a starting safety. Some combination of Moten, Moore, and Makari Paige should be on the field, depending on how the nickel position shakes out. Moten has added 10 pounds since last year and will probably take on Hawkins's role, moving down in the box sometimes to take on tight ends and backs out of the backfield. Moten is a solid tackler with good range, and I think he will be a good player, though good safeties are often pretty forgettable.

Prediction: Starting safety; 65 tackles, 1 interception

2022 Season Countdown: #22 Nikhai Hill-Green

 

Nikhai Hill-Green (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Nikhai Hill-Green
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 232 lbs.
High school: Baltimore (MD) St. Frances
Position: Linebacker
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #41
Last year: I ranked Hill-Green #44 and said he would be a backup linebacker (LINK). He started six games and made 50 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 pass breakup.
TTB Rating: 81

Hill-Green began the 2021 season as a starting inside linebacker next to senior captain Joshua Ross. He had improved from 2020, but there were still some bumps in the road. As the season went along, his spot was usurped by freshman Junior Colson. Hill-Green did fine against the lower level teams on Michigan's schedule, but when competition got tougher, teams started to pick on him a little bit.

I expect him to be better in 2022. Not only have reviews been positive, but young linebackers always seem to struggle. Unless a player is elite, most guys aren't going to be successful until their third or fourth year, once they get experience under their belts. In Hill-Green's case, he got some experience during his freshman COVID year, but it was a shortened season with limited practice time. With Ross having graduated and moved on, I expect Hill-Green to play alongside Colson at inside linebacker, with Mike Barrett also pushing for playing time.

Prediction: Starting inside linebacker; 70 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception

2022 Season Countdown: #23 A.J. Henning

 

A.J. Henning (image via Twitter)

Name: A.J. Henning
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: Frankfort (IL) Lincoln-Way East
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #3
Last year: I ranked Henning #23 and said he would be a backup wide receiver and starting kick returner with 14 catches for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns (LINK). He caught 10 passes for 79 yards and ran 9 times for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 86

Henning had a chance to step up in 2021 after speedy gadget guy Giles Jackson transferred to Washington prior to the season. And Henning didn't miss a beat. While he didn't establish himself as a versatile receiver, he became the end around guy and scored on a 74-yard touchdown run in the first game. He also added a kickoff return for a touchdown against Maryland and a touchdown run against Ohio State. Henning also stepped in to replace injured punt returner Ronnie Bell after the coaches initially tried Caden Kolesar in Bell's stead.

I expect more of the same from Henning in 2022. There's no reason to expect fewer end arounds or jet sweeps, and his share of the passing targets probably can't get much smaller. There's also a good chance that he ends up handling punt returns and/or kickoff returns. I will be interested to see if Bell takes punt return duties back or if that experiment has ended. Overall, Henning can do a little bit of everything - rushing, receiving, punt returning, and kickoff returning - but if he's not available for some reason, I think there are other guys who can absorb his role without a huge dropoff.

Prediction: Starting kickoff and punt returner, backup wide receiver

Eyabi Anoma, Wolverine

 

Eyabi Anoma (image via Twitter)

Former Alabama, Houston, and UT-Martin defensive end/outside linebacker Eyabi Anoma has enrolled at Michigan.

Anoma was listed at 6'6" and 270 lbs. as a Jack linebacker on UT-Martin's roster. He made 36 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 3 quarterback hurries in 2021.

2018 RECRUITING RANKINGS
ESPN: 5-star, 94 grade, #1 DE, #3 overall
On3: N/A
Rivals: 5-star, 6.1 grade, #1 WDE, #7 overall
247 Sports: 5-star, 100 grade, #1 WDE, #4 overall

Hit the jump for more.

2022 Season Countdown: #24 Roman Wilson

 

Roman Wilson (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Roman Wilson
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: Honolulu (HI) St. Louis
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #14
Last year: I ranked Wilson #31 and said he would be a backup wide receiver (LINK). He caught 25 passes for 420 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 3 carries for 59 yards, in five starts.
TTB Rating: 78

Wilson had a bit of a breakout season in 2021. He was one of four receivers to tie for the team lead with 3 touchdown catches, and he had some huge plays. He caught 2 touchdowns in a tight win over Penn State, he led the team in receiving against Ohio State, and he caught a 75-yard touchdown pass from Donovan Edwards in the Big Ten Championship game. His reported 4.37 speed as a recruit started to show itself as a threat to other teams, and he established himself as a dangerous downfield threat.

I have heard some fans and analysts peg Wilson as their guess for Michigan's leading receiver in 2022, but I can't get there. Maybe he can do it in 2023, but Ronnie Bell returns from injury this year and Cornelius Johnson is the 6'3" prototype who led the squad in 2021. Wilson is a key component of the passing attack, as he can take the top off the defense. But there's only one ball and there are only so many receiving positions, so some tough decisions are going to need to be made by the coaches and the quarterback(s) on where the ball ends up going. I would expect Wilson to be Michigan's #3 wideout, but he'll have some big plays along the way.

Prediction: Part-time starting wide receiver; 30 catches for 450 yards and 4 touchdowns 

2022 Season Countdown: #25 Mike Sainristil

 

Mike Sainristil (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Mike Sainristil
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 182 lbs.
High school: Everett (MA) Everett
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Senior
Jersey number: #0
Last year: I ranked Sainristil #26 and said he would be a starting slot receiver with 25 catches for 330 yards and 3 touchdowns (LINK). He caught 22 passes for 312 yards and 2 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 84

Sainristil has been right on this starter/backup edge for three years running, ranked at #25 or #26. Last season I thought he would start at slot receiver, and I was only a few catches/yards off his totals, along with expecting 1 more touchdown than he actually scored. He developed into a reliable target for Cade McNamara, if only partly because Ronnie Bell tore his ACL in the season opener, creating playing time for other guy. The highlight of his season may have been the diving reception he made on a deep ball against Nebraska.

Sainristil has worn both #5 and #19 in his career, and he nabbed #0 this off-season. He's also on to playing another position: Sainristil played some nickel corner in the spring and continues to play on both sides of the ball in camp. It remains to be seen whether he will be the nickel going into the season. The receiver room is stacked and the defensive backs are talented, so I'm having a hard time gauging how integral Sainristil will be on either side of the ball. It's entirely conceivable that he fades away on one side, but I can't imagine him disappearing from both sides of the ball. He should be a pretty big factor to the team overall, but I don't expect him to be a standout either way.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver and defensive back; 18 catches for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns, 18 tackles

2022 Season Countdown: #26 Karsen Barnhart

 

Karsen Barnhart

Name: Karsen Barnhart
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 308 lbs.
High school: Paw Paw (MI) Paw Paw
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #52
Last year: I ranked Barnhart #24a and said he would be the starting right tackle (LINK). He started two games at left guard.
TTB Rating: 86

For the second year in a row, Barnhart served as Michigan's extra lineman. He's a utility man who can start at either tackle or either guard spot. When he was a redshirt freshman in 2020, he got a bunch of playing time on a bad offensive line. Last year he played left guard when Trevor Keegan couldn't go, but he also was a backup tackle in blowouts. Barnhart has not really left an indelible mark as a beast of a player just waiting to break out of his cage, but he has been solid and has a good athletic profile to be "next."

Last year's pure blocking tight end, sixth lineman Trente Jones, is likely to start at right tackle now that Andrew Stueber has moved on to the NFL. I will be curious to see if Barnhart takes on Jones's role as a blocking tight end, or if the staff will simply let the tight ends handle the tight end role, since the tight end room is so stacked with talent. Regardless of whether Barnhart is a blocking tight end or just the backup at guard/tackle, he's going to play a lot. And when 2023 rolls around, he will probably have a starting role somewhere along the line.

Prediction: Backup offensive lineman

2022 Season Countdown: #27 Brad Robbins

 

Brad Robbins (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Brad Robbins
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 205 lbs.
High school: Westerville (OH) South
Position: Punter
Class: Sixth year senior
Jersey number: #91
Last year: I ranked Robbins #15 and said he would be the starting punter (LINK). He punted 45 times for 2,085 yards (46.3 yards/punt) and put 17 of them inside the 20-yard line.
TTB Rating: 70

Robbins was a standout punter in 2021, averaging 46.3 yards per punt, which is second only to Will Hart's average of 47.0 yards per punt in 2018. He's come a long way from the point where he was struggling, had a back injury, and entered the transfer portal earlier in his career. He had a 65-yard punt against Penn State and a 64-yarder against Iowa in the Big Ten Championship game. Altogether, his performance in 2021 earned him Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors.

So it might seem to make sense to rank him higher on the list, except the backup punter is Tommy Doman. Doman averaged 44.8 yards per punt as a senior in high school in 2020 and was an Under Armour All-American. I'm guessing Robbins is still a better punter at this point, but how large is the gap between the two? I expect Robbins to be the starting punter again in 2022 and have a solid season.

Prediction: Starting punter

2022 Season Countdown: #28 Michael Barrett

 

Michael Barrett (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Michael Barrett
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 233 lbs.
High school: Valdosta (GA) Lowndes
Position: Linebacker
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #23
Last year: I ranked Barrett #20 and said he would be a starting inside linebacker (LINK). He made 20 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 pass breakup while starting one game.
TTB Rating: 82

Barrett is a former high school quarterback, and I love me some quarterbacks. It just seems like when you're a Division I-caliber athlete with the smarts and leadership to play quarterback, you're likely to figure it out at the next level. But the switch from defensive coordinator Don Brown to Mike Macdonald didn't bode well for the former hybrid linebacker/safety, and now the move to Jesse Minter doesn't seem any better, since he coaches the same system as Macdonald.

Michigan will probably play more of a true nickel safety rather than a linebacker, and anyway, Barrett has added six pounds since last year and is playing more inside linebacker. He appears to be the #3 guy at inside linebacker behind Junior Colson and Nikhai Hill-Green. I would expect him to play special teams, too, where he has been valuable over the past few years.

Prediction: Backup inside linebacker, special teamer

2022 Season Countdown: #29 Luke Schoonmaker

 

Luke Schoonmaker (image via USA Today)

Name: Luke Schoonmaker
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 250 lbs.
High school: Hamden (CT) Hamden Hall
Position: Tight end
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #86
Last year: I ranked Schoonmaker #32 and said he would be a backup tight end (LINK). He caught 17 passes for 165 yards and 3 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 81

Schoonmaker, a former high school quarterback, has improved year after year. He represents exactly what one should expect from a Jim Harbaugh-coached tight end. If you play tight end for Harbaugh, you're probably going to develop into a pro candidate. There are some who think Schoonmaker has improved as a blocker to the point where he's the best blocker at his position group, which is saying something, considering other tight ends include starter Erick All and former offensive lineman Joel Honigford. But Schoonmaker has also turned into a solid receiver, with 2 touchdowns against Indiana and a couple one-handed catches during his career. Despite being just a part-time starter and tying for 8th on the team in receptions, he was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media.

The 2022 season should be more of the same. Schoonmaker is a quality player, but he will have to share time with All, Honigford, and others. There's also talk that youngsters Matt Hibner, Louis Hansen, and Colston Loveland - who all have barely played or not played at all - are good enough to get on the field. Schoonmaker will play a bunch, and he might even be good enough to get drafted in 2023, but he probably won't see a leap in production because the tight end room is so crowded.

Prediction: Part-time starting tight end; 20 catches for 190 yards and 4 touchdowns

2022 Season Countdown: #30 William Wagner

 

William Wagner (image via MGoBlue)

Name: William Wagner
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 258 lbs.
High school: Alpharetta (GA) Alpharetta
Position: Long snapper
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #49
Last year: I ranked Wagner #28 and said he would be the starting long snapper (LINK). He started every game.
TTB Rating: N/A

Wagner became the starting long snapper in 2020 when Camaron Cheeseman opted out of the season. As far as I can remember, the past two years have been two years where most Michigan fans couldn't have named the long snapper. That usually means the snaps have been pretty automatic.

There's no reason to expect that he will be anything different this season than he was the last two years. If he can do that and stay healthy, hooray! If not, there are unknown quantities in redshirt sophomore Greg Tarr and true freshman Evan Boutorwick. Both were solid walk-on pickups according to the sites that chart long snappers, but they haven't snapped in a game yet.

Prediction: Starting long snapper

2022 Season Countdown: #31 Jaylen Harrell

 

Jaylen Harrell (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Jaylen Harrell
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 246 lbs.
High school: Tampa (FL) Berkeley
Position: Edge
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #32
Last year: I ranked Harrell #47 and said he would be a backup outside linebacker (LINK). He started four games and made 15 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1 quarterback hurry.
TTB Rating: 84

Harrell may not have had a true breakout season in 2021, but he at least started to crack his shell. Not only did he start for one-third of the season, but he also made some nice plays, including holding the edge against the run pretty well. His starts seemed to be mostly situational, as all four of them were spread across the season, from September 18 against Northern Illinois to December 4 against Iowa in the Big Ten championship game.

One would think that a part-time starter with Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo in the fold would be almost a lock to be a full-time starter with Hutchinson and Ojabo gone, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Word out of camp right now is that if the season were to start today, Harrell would be a backup edge player. While Harrell hasn't really shown next-level pass rush ability yet, David Ojabo had 1 career tackle after two seasons, and we all saw how he turned out. Generally, what we've seen with Harbaugh is that the edge players always seem to be pretty darn good - from Taco Charlton to Chase Winovich to Rashan Gary to Aidan Hutchinson to David Ojabo.

Even if Harrell isn't a full-time starter, he should be a key part of the rotation throughout the season.

Prediction: Part-time starting edge

2022 Season Countdown: #32 Cam Goode

 

Cam Goode (image via On3)

Name: Cam Goode
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 323 lbs.
High school: Washington (DC) St. John's
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #99
Last year: Goode played for UCF. He made 24 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 interception, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 pass breakups.
TTB Rating: N/A

I didn't know who Cam Goode was up until the 2021-2022 off-season, and most Michigan fans are probably in the same boat. After a few years in college, Goode finally made his first starts in 2021 and did pretty well with them, albeit playing in a weaker conference than the Big Ten. He was a part-time starter and managed to make several disruptive plays, including tying for 12th in the country in forced fumbles with four. But when it came to the season's end, he was ready for a bigger stage.

That led him to Michigan as a graduate transfer. The Wolverines needed some help on the defensive line with Donovan Jeter and Chris Hinton off to do other things, along with one-year experiment Jordan Whittley, who did not do much in a Michigan uniform. Goode is known for his quickness, but the improved competition will probably make the transition a little bit difficult. Originally when I placed him in the top third of the roster, I figured he would be a key backup to Mazi Smith at nose tackle, but freshman Kenneth Grant is getting all kinds of hype as an athletic freak and potential contributor. So maybe Goode will see a diminished role, or perhaps we're all being distracted by the presence of the enormous Grant. Either way, Goode should be a rotational player on the defensive interior.

Prediction: Backup defensive tackle

2022 Season Countdown: #33 Julius Welschof

 

Julius Welschof

Name: Julius Welschof
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 266 lbs.
High school: Miesbach (Germany) FOS Altoetting
Position: Edge
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #96
Last year: I ranked Welschof #35 and said he would be a backup defensive tackle (LINK). He made 13 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, and 1 pass breakup.
TTB Rating: 78

Have you ever seen a 286-pound man sprinting downfield on the kickoff unit? If you watched Michigan in 2021, you did. Welschof may have been the heaviest kickoff squad member in the country last year, and he was getting downfield as quickly as many of his teammates. That has been the tantalizing aspect of Welschof as a player: freak athleticism for a 6'6" non-beanpole.

Now Welschof is a svelte 266 pounds as he has made the transition from defensive tackle to edge. Gone are Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo, and in steps . . . well, we're not quite sure yet. Physically, Welschof is almost Hutchinson's doppelganger: Hutchinson was 6'6" and 265 lbs. Technique, effort, instincts . . . well, those tell a different story. Welschof sat out of the spring game, so the public didn't see him in action at his new weight or get a good glimpse at where he falls in the pecking order. I expect him to be in the two-deep, if not earn a starting role, in 2022.

Prediction: Backup edge

2022 Season Countdown: #34 Will Johnson

 

Will Johnson (image via The Athletic)

Name: Will Johnson
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 194 lbs.
High school: Grosse Pointe (MI) South
Position: Cornerback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #2
Last year: Johnson was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 45 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 11 pass breakups; he also had 1,302 all-purpose yards with 6 receiving touchdowns and 1 punt return touchdown.
TTB Rating: 91

Johnson is the son of former Michigan defensive back Deon Johnson, who made 108 tackles, 12 pass breakups, and 1 interception while playing for the Wolverines from 1991-1994. He committed in February of 2021 after a tough recruiting battle that saw him considering Ohio State, among other schools. He became an Under Armour All-American and finished ranked as a 5-star, the #3 cornerback, and #15 overall in the class.

I annoyed some people when I didn't predict all-time greatness for Johnson, and that was because he has a lot of really good skills but lacks great quickness and speed. However, he does have a college-ready body, and his speed is adequate to keep up with receivers in college. I think he will be a good college player, and it probably won't take him long to get to that point. Johnson says Michigan is training him at the outside corner spot - not nickel or safety - and I think he will be the third corner this season. D.J. Turner II, Gemon Green, and Johnson should be the top three, and perhaps Johnson will jump up into the top two later this season if someone isn't performing up to par.

Prediction: Backup cornerback

2022 Season Countdown: #35 Greg Crippen

 

Greg Crippen (image via USA Today)

Name: Greg Crippen
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 301 lbs.
High school: Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
Position: Center
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #51
Last year: I ranked Crippen #81 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in six games.
TTB Rating: 65

Crippen was a big surprise to me last year and may already be approaching his TTB Rating as a sophomore. Andrew Vastardis started at center all year, but Crippen was his backup. While Michigan could have played Reece Atteberry, Raheem Anderson II, or guard Zak Zinter - all of whom have snapped the ball at times - Crippen was the guy.

Despite the presence of Crippen, Michigan still went out and tried to find a starting center, and they did in Olu Oluwatimi. Oluwatimi was a Rimington Award finalist, so maybe it was a no-brainer to take him, but if they truly felt Crippen was ready to roll in 2022 as the starter, they probably wouldn't have dipped into the transfer portal. Crippen also appears to be a center only, and I think it's a good idea to train a young player at just one position, especially one as critical as center. So I'll rank him here at #35, since he doesn't appear to be ready to back up other positions but Michigan has other guys who could step in and play center in a pinch.

Prediction: Backup center

2022 Season Countdown: #36 Taylor Upshaw

 

Taylor Upshaw (image via MLive)

Name: Taylor Upshaw
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 255 lbs.
High school: Bradenton (FL) Braden River
Position: Edge*
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #91
Last year: I ranked Upshaw #22 and said he would be the starting outside linebacker with 35 tackles and 5 sacks (LINK). He made 8 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 3 quarterback hurries.
TTB Rating: 73

I pegged Upshaw as a starter last year, but that was before one of the biggest breakout seasons in Michigan history, when David Ojabo went from having 1 total tackle in his career to making 35 tackles, 11 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles. Upshaw played a limited backup role as one of several edge rushers to get a bunch of playing time, including Mike Morris, Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor, and others. He put up good numbers, too, for how much he had to rotate with other players. In fact, he finished third on the team in sacks (2.5) after Aidan Hutchinson's program 14 and Ojabo's 11.

The odd part this off-season is that a bunch of other players have earned more practice hype, so I'm not sure how to feel about Upshaw. Going into what could be his final season, the son of former NFL defensive end Regan Upshaw has just two starts under his belt but has better TFL and sack numbers than Morris, Harrell, and Julius Welschof, all of whom have more people talking about them. I can't sort out whether an increased role for Upshaw is implied or if he's somehow getting outperformed. So while he's here at #36, he could very easily outplay this ranking.

Prediction: Backup edge

*The updated roster calls defensive ends/outside linebackers "edge" now, so that's the term I'll use for those positions since they're pretty interchangeable

2022 Season Countdown: #37 Joel Honigford

 

Joel Honigford (image via Wolverines Wire)

Name: Joel Honigford
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 260 lbs.
High school: Sugarcreek (OH) Garaway
Position: Tight end
Class: Sixth year senior
Jersey number: #84
Last year: I ranked Honigford #37 and said he would be a backup tight end (LINK). He started five games and made 1 catch for 10 yards.
TTB Rating: 84

I didn't realize this until I started typing this post, but Honigford was #37 in the countdown last year and remains at #37 this season. Honigford played as an extra offensive tackle in 2020 and then lost 40+ pounds to play full-time tight end in 2021. Truthfully, it's perhaps the most impressive physical transformations in the past few decades, going from a 300+ pound offensive lineman to a svelte tight end. Sometimes a big ol' lineman lines up in the backfield and looks clearly out of place as an oversized lead blocker, but Honigford looked the part of a tight end. He mostly lined up as an H-back or even a fullback in a pistol offset "I" formation while Michigan ran the ball down opponents' throats.

Surprisingly, Honigford decided to return for a sixth year. That must mean that Michigan has a plan for him to continue to play a good number of snaps, but I don't foresee him catching many passes behind Erick All and Luke Schoonmaker. I expect much of the same from 2021, when Honigford started five games but rarely was targeted in the passing game. Michigan should be trying to groom Louis Hansen and/or Matt Hibner for more playing time in 2023 since Honigford, All, and Schoonmaker could all be gone, so it will be interesting to see how much time the various tight ends get to be on the field.

Prediction: Backup tight end

2022 Season Countdown: #38 Makari Paige

 

Makari Paige (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Makari Paige
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield
Position: Safety
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #7
Last year: I ranked Paige #30 and said he would be a backup safety and special teamer (LINK). He made 2 tackles.
TTB Rating: 79

Paige went from a quasi-starter in 2020 to only playing in nine games in 2021 without having an impact role. It was an odd detour for Paige's career, especially playing for a position coach who used to be Paige's high school head coach in Ron Bellamy. I figured the connection and relationship would build into a good amount of playing time, but the young guy who played a lot turned out to be true freshman Rod Moore instead.

Now that Brad Hawkins and Daxton Hill are gone to the NFL, that opens up a door for Paige. It seems as if Rod Moore and R.J. Moten will both start in some capacity, leaving room for Paige to be the #3 guy instead of #4 or lower. It remains to be seen who will play Hill's nickel position, whether it will be Moore, Mike Sainristil, or someone else. If Moore plays nickel, Paige could start at safety. If Sainristil plays nickel, Paige would probably be a backup. At this point I haven't seen anything to make me think Paige is a true difference maker, but he is experienced and has good size (he's 1" taller and 8 pounds heavier than last year's listed measurements).

Prediction: Backup safety, special teamer

2022 Season Countdown: #39 Kalel Mullings

 

Kalel Mullings (#20, image via MGoBlue)

Name: Kalel Mullings
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 232 lbs.
High school: West Roxbury (MA) Milton Academy
Position: Running back/Linebacker
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #20
Last year: I ranked Mullings #40 and said he would be a backup linebacker (LINK). He made 11 tackles.
TTB Rating: 78

Mullings had a lot of potential coming out of high school as a multi-faceted player who could be a linebacker or running back. He was an All-American Game participant and immediately earned playing time in 2020, getting snaps in four out of six games at linebacker. That seemed promising, but then in 2021, a hand injury seemed to slow down his progression. He seemed to be a possible #3 inside linebacker who could rotate in, but he got passed up by Junior Colson and ended up as the #4 inside linebacker.

With Josh Ross out of the way in 2022, that gives Mullings a chance to move up to the #3 guy again. But he also could potentially be the #3 running back. Mullings pulled double duty in the spring as Michigan's staff looked for an answer to replace Hassan Haskins as a short yardage/power running back, and he looked decent in that role. Can he handle playing both sides of the ball? And is Tavierre Dunlap going to answer the bell to beat out Mullings for the #3 running back role? It will be interesting to see how much Mullings plays on both sides of the ball, and he could be Michigan's version of Owen Marecic, the Stanford fullback/linebacker who ran for 5 touchdowns and made 51 tackles with 2 sacks playing for Jim Harbaugh in 2010. Michigan has tried somewhat similar things with Ben Mason and Ben Van Sumeren during the Harbaugh era, but Mullings is the most talented dual-threat player of the three.

Prediction: Special teamer and backup running back/linebacker

2022 Season Countdown: #40 Rayshaun Benny

 

Rayshaun Benny (image via On3)

Name: Rayshaun Benny
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 292 lbs.
High school: Oak Park (MI) Oak Park
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #26
Last year: I ranked Benny #64 and said he would be a backup defensive tackle (LINK). He played in three games and made 3 tackles.
TTB Rating: 81

Benny spent the 2021 season changing his body a little bit and learning to be a full-time defensive lineman. He played in three games, which allowed him to keep his redshirt. Luckily, Michigan stayed pretty healthy on the defensive line, so the Wolverines didn't need to burn any unnecessary redshirts. There were some positive comments coming out from behind the scenes, and Benny was tough to handle for the offensive line in the spring game.

Michigan lost Chris Hinton, Jr. to the NFL in the off-season, and Benny should see some increased playing time because of it. The team also received a transfer in the form of UCF defensive tackle Cam Goode, but Goode is a little undersized and I don't think he will get all of Hinton's snaps. I think new defensive line coach Mike Elston will get Benny up to speed and he should be a pretty solid rotator at defensive tackle behind Kris Jenkins, Jr.

Prediction: Backup defensive tackle

2022 Season Countdown: #41 Braiden McGregor

 

Braiden McGregor (image via Twitter)

Name: Braiden McGregor
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 265 lbs.
High school: Port Huron (MI) Northern
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #17
Last year: I ranked McGregor #45 and said he would be a backup outside linebacker (LINK). He made 5 tackles and 1 tackle for loss.
TTB Rating: 87

This is McGregor's third straight year ranked in the 40s, and so far I don't think I've been right. While I gave him a TTB Rating of 87 coming out of high school, I took some heat from a family member last fall when I said on Twitter that McGregor just didn't look right and that I wasn't sure he would ever get up to speed. McGregor had a nasty knee injury as a senior in high school, and his explosiveness just hasn't been there. Last year he looked pretty average as a backup for Aidan Hutchinson while making just 5 tackles and a lone TFL against Northwestern.

The hope, of course, is that he ends up returning to form. After having to redshirt in 2020 and then being a third-stringer in 2021, this could be a time for a breakout now that Hutchinson is off to the NFL. I don't think it will be full breakout time because Mike Morris is expected to be the starter, so we'll see how many snaps McGregor can get while also contending with the likes of Julius Welschof, Taylor Upshaw, and others for snaps.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

2022 Season Countdown: #42 Andrel Anthony

 

Andrel Anthony

Name: Andrel Anthony
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: East Lansing (MI) East Lansing
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #1
Last year: I ranked Anthony #61 and said he would be a backup wide receiver (LINK). He caught 12 passes for 248 yards and 3 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 73

I don't know what Andrel Anthony ate for breakfast on October 30, 2021, but he should eat it more often. Anthony played in three games and had three DNPs before he woke up on Halloween Eve, and then all hell broke loose. In his hometown of East Lansing, he caught 6 passes for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 93-yard score on his first career catch. He had just 6 catches for 93 yards and 1 score over his final six games.

While Anthony showed more ability as a freshman than I expected, he's part of a very deep receiver squad. With Cornelius Johnson, Ronnie Bell, Roman Wilson, and others, it's hard to tell how things will shake out. I'm guessing Anthony will continue to take a back seat to a couple of those other guys until they're gone, but receiver is in good hands at least for 2022 if Anthony is maybe just the fourth or fifth best guy.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

2022 Season Countdown: #43 Jeffrey Persi

 

Jeffrey Persi (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Jeffrey Persi
Height: 6’7″
Weight: 305 lbs.
High school: Mission Viejo (CA) Junipero Serra
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #79
Last year: I ranked Persi #82 and said he would be a backup offensive tackle (LINK). He played in two games.
TTB Rating: 82

When Matt Dudek was Michigan's recruiting coordinator up through 2020, Persi was the poster boy for staff evaluation. Maybe the recruiting sites didn't love Persi - he was a low 4-star at #322 overall - but the staff did. But if it's not plainly obvious that a guy is going to be good right this minute, that guy is probably not going to make an impact as a true freshman. But Persi also didn't make much of an impact in 2021, playing in just a couple blowouts.

This post predicts quite a leap in 2022, as Persi goes from #82 to #43. Michigan likes to use a sixth lineman as a tight end, like they did in 2021 with Trente Jones. It's not a coincidence that Jones is penciled as the starting right tackle now that Andrew Stueber is gone. So if Jones is Stueber in 2022, who is Jones in 2022? It probably comes down to Persi or Karsen Barnhart. Barnhart seems to be the #1 backup at a few positions - he started four games at left tackle in 2020 and two games at left guard in 2021 - and the staff will either make him the sixth lineman as the "tight end" or keep him ready at tackle/guard. Either way, I expect Persi to start to see an increased role as the seventh or eighth lineman, whether he enters in certain packages or is just in the two-deep as a backup.

Prediction: Backup offensive tackle

Evan Link, Wolverine

 

Evan Link

Washington (DC) Gonzaga offensive tackle Evan Link committed to Michigan on Monday afternoon. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Maryland, Miami, Penn State, and Stanford, among others.

Link is listed at 6'6" and 290 pounds.

RANKINGS
ESPN: 4-star, 80 grade, #33 OT
On3: 4-star, 93 grade, #11 OT, #125 overall
Rivals: 3-star, 5.7 grade, #50 OT
247 Sports: 3-star, 88 grade, #43 OT

Hit the jump for more on Link's commitment.

2022 Season Countdown: #44 Tommy Doman

 

Tommy Doman (image via On3)

Name: Tommy Doman
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 190 lbs.
High school: Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary's
Position: Kicker/Punter
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #19
Last year: I ranked Doman #71 and said he would be a backup kicker/punter (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: N/A

Doman was a backup kicker/punter combo guy in 2021, and he went the entire way through the season without being needed. Kicker Jake Moody stayed healthy and focused, and so did punter Brad Robbins. It seemed like an oddity to be able to get through the season using only those two guys, because before that, Quinn Nordin had been in the mix and both Moody/Nordin played kicker quite a bit the previous couple years. Not only that, but Robbins suffered from back issues earlier in his career.

The Michigan program is probably better for this, but Doman had to be a little disappointed this off-season when both Moody and Robbins chose to exercise their COVID exemption and return for an extra year of eligibility.

I hope the health and consistency remain in place, but Doman should be the primary backup at both spots and going two years in a row without needing a backup to play would be a bit surprising. So here Doman is at #44 because I think he'll be needed at some point this year.

Prediction: Backup kicker/punter