2023 Season Countdown: #49 Peyton O'Leary

 

Peyton O'Leary (image via Daily News)

Name: Peyton O’Leary
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: Byfield (MA) Governor’s Academy
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #81
Last year: I ranked O’Leary #110 and said he would be a backup wide receiver (LINK). He played in six games and caught 1 pass for 4 yards.
TTB Rating: N/A

I'm going to take a minor victory lap on the emergence of Peyton O'Leary since I've been talking him up for the past couple years. Here's the final sentence from last year's countdown post for O'Leary:

"Right now Michigan’s wide receiver room is stacked, but if some injuries or blowouts happen, I could see him making a little bit of a name for himself and carving out a role."

Well, O'Leary didn't actually make a name for himself until the spring game, where he made 6 catches for 126 yards and 1 touchdown and caught a 2-point conversion. His 2022 season was pretty quiet with just 1 catch for 4 yards, but coming out of the spring, players were talking about O'Leary doing similar things in practice, and Jim Harbaugh said that he would have a role in the fall.

It's quite a gigantic leap for O'Leary to jump from #110 last year to #49 this season, and maybe it's too high. I do have some concerns about Michigan's wide receiver depth, though. O'Leary is unlikely to start, and with the talent at running back and tight end, I'm not sure how much production could be expected from a fourth or fifth receiver. Last year's fifth most productive receiver (by number of receptions) was Andrel Anthony with 7 catches for 80 yards and 1 touchdown; Anthony was so happy with his involvement that he transferred to Oklahoma. If O'Leary accumulates his spring game numbers over the entire 2023 season, that will be fairly impressive in itself. Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson should be the top guys, and we'll see how many balls are available for any other pass-catchers.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

2024 Recruiting Update: July 31, 2023

 

Aaron Scott

OFF THE BOARD

Orlando (FL) Edgewater cornerback Cai Bates (4-star, #11 CB, #107 overall) committed to LSU. He had visited Michigan and put the Wolverines in his top group, but most of the buzz was about him staying south.

Springfield (OH) Springfield cornerback Aaron Scott (4-star, #5 CB, #52 overall) committed to Ohio State. This one stings because two of Michigan's top cornerback prospects, Scott and Bryce West, both have verbally committed to the Buckeyes. But the writing was on the wall when Scott scheduled his announcement for July 30, which is his Buckeye fan father's birthday. You're not going to pick the team your dad hates on your dad's birthday unless you hate your dad.

MISCELLANEY

Here's a list of BBQ at the Big House visitors (LINK).

2023 Season Countdown: #50 Alex Orji

 

Alex Orji (image via USA Today)

Name: Alex Orji
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 235 lbs.
High school: Sachse (TX) Sachse
Position: Quarterback
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #10
Last year: I ranked Orji #67 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in three games and ran 6 times for 37 yards and 2 touchdowns while completed 1/1 pass for 5 yards.
TTB Rating: 55

Last year I surmised that Orji would run the ball in one or two games, but I was wrong.

He played in three games.

One of those games even resulted in broadcaster Robert Griffin III saying "It's an Orji in the endzone!" after a running touchdown. I have to imagine the suits at Fox were not too happy with that. But in general, Orji had an okay freshman season for a quarterback. I mean, he scored 2 touchdowns and has a completion percentage of 100%, which is tied for the highest completion percentage in NCAA history.

"It's an orgy in the end zone!"- RG3 after Michigan's Alex Orji runs for a touchdown. pic.twitter.com/i22sw8rrK4

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 3, 2022

This year Cade McNamara and Alan Bowman are no longer around, bumping J.J. McCarthy up to surefire starter status. The backup QB job looks like it will be a battle between Indiana transfer Jack Tuttle and walk-on Davis Warren, but I expect Orji to be used more consistently as a running quarterback. Michigan has done something similar with Dan Villari, and even McCarthy was used more as a running option in 2021 when pocket quarterback McNamara was behind center. Look for the coaching staff to put together special packages and formations to get Orji the ball and keep McCarthy fresh.

Prediction: Backup quarterback

2023 Season Countdown: #51 Benjamin Hall

 

Benjamin Hall (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Benjamin Hall
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 235 lbs.
High school: Kennesaw (GA) North Cobb
Position: Running back
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #28
Last year: Hall was a senior in high school (LINK). He ran 61 times for 324 yards and 4 touchdowns, and he caught 9 passes for 93 yards and 2 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 71

Hall is one of the most interesting recruits in the 2023 class. It's baffling to me that he played second fiddle to someone else, but that represents the embarrassment of riches North Cobb had at running back this past season. They had a running back going to the Big Ten champion Michigan Wolverines on a scholarship, but their primary running back was Clemson commit David Eziomume (4-star, #30 RB, #366 overall in 2024). Hall was a 3-star, the #55 running back, and #787 overall in 2023.

(In case you think I'm jealous as a coach of North Cobb having two FBS players at one position . . . you're right. I am jealous.)

When Michigan accepted Hall's commitment, it was a little bit underwhelming and left a lot of people scratching their heads. Why were the Big Ten champions accepting a commitment from a little known player when the Wolverines were on a run of landing Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, among others, and producing the likes of Hassan Haskins?

Well, Hall was one of the stars of Michigan's spring game and showed some excellent vision and toughness. Despite being 235 pounds, he has quick feet and good lateral agility. Perhaps he won't ever be a superstar because he lacks great speed, but he can be a productive running back at the FBS level. The only thing holding him back right now is that pesky Corum-Edwards combination. Both of them could be picked in the first couple rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, and both of them could be All-Big Ten in 2023. Hall will likely be battling with sophomore C.J. Stokes for the #3 running back role. I think it's a toss-up between the two, but Michigan needs to be ready for the 2024 season when Michigan fans could be looking at a competition between Hall, Stokes, and Cole Cabana as the top backs on the roster.

Prediction: Backup running back

2023 Season Countdown: #52 Caden Kolesar

 

Caden Kolesar (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Caden Kolesar
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: Lakewood (OH) St. Edward
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt senior
Jersey number: #35
Last year: I ranked Kolesar #55 and said he would be a backup safety and special teamer (LINK). He made 8 tackles and blocked 1 punt.
TTB Rating: N/A

Is Kolesar the most forgotten man on Michigan's team?

Well, no.

But he's close.

Kolesar was at one time on Michigan fans' conscious thoughts, back when he blocked a punt against UConn. And when he was inserted as Michigan's punt returner following Ronnie Bell's knee injury in 2021. A Michigan legacy who walked on to the team in 2019, Kolesar quietly earned some practice praise and got some run on Saturdays.

But ever since his ACL injury last fall, nothing much has been heard about him. This ranking is purely a projection, but I would expect him to once again be an important special teams player in 2023. He's good on coverage units, and he has stepped in as a backup safety. And if the coaching staff trusted him on punt returns at one time, they at least have some faith in him as a trustworthy athlete. (Note: I do not expect Kolesar to be in the running to start at punt returner.) He's also someone who could return for a sixth year in 2024, so a solid comeback year could put him in the running for more playing time at safety next year.

Prediction: Backup safety and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #53 Keshaun Harris

 

Keshaun Harris (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Keshaun Harris
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 190 lbs.
High school: Lansing (MI) Waverly
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt senior
Jersey number: #18
Last year: I ranked Harris #78 and said he would be a backup cornerback (LINK). He played in eleven games and made 5 tackles and 1 pass breakup.
TTB Rating: N/A

Harris plays one of the toughest positions in college football to make hay as a walk-on, and that's cornerback. Most guys who are athletic enough to play corner end up with a scholarship somewhere. And the corners at Big Ten and SEC programs are just such outstanding athletes that it's tough to overcome them. So even though Harris is a walk-on, the fact that he has played cornerback in ten games over the past two seasons is a pretty impressive feat, even if the playing time came mostly in blowouts.

Harris had a couple nice plays in the 2023 spring game and seems closer to significant playing time than at any other point in his career. Will Johnson mans one corner spot, but the other spot is up in the air. Harris is unlikely to start, but he could be part of the rotation. Also, if Mike Sainristil ends up playing outside corner, Harris could potentially play in the slot a little bit. Harris is also a decent tackler and a physical player, so he brings the capability to play special teams. I expect to see him play a little bit more this fall, and hopefully he can make some memorable plays to finish out his career (unless he decides to come back for a sixth year in 2024).

Prediction: Backup cornerback and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #54 German Green

 

German Green (image via MGoBlue)

Name: German Green
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 187 lbs.
High school: DeSoto (TX) DeSoto
Position: Cornerback
Class: Sixth year senior
Jersey number: #33
Last year: I ranked Green #48 and said he would be a backup cornerback and special teamer (LINK). He made 5 tackles and 1 pass breakup.
TTB Rating: 59

The career of German Green so far at Michigan has been an interesting one, if not terribly exciting. I heard buzz during the recruitment of German and his twin brother Gemon that German was actually the player thought to have the higher ceiling, though he had some injury issues. They were recruited in the class of 2018, meaning that Gemon stayed five years, could have returned for a sixth in 2023, but chose to move on to the NFL. He was an experienced starter and surely would have started in 2023 opposite Will Johnson now that D.J. Turner II made the decision to go to the league.

German, on the other hand, has been a special teamer throughout his career. Somewhat fascinatingly, he decided to return for 2023, even after his twin brother left. Most guys would have called it a career after five years of not really playing much, but perhaps the draw of possibly winning a national championship is worth putting in an extra year of work. German is never mentioned as a possible starter in the defensive backfield even though his brother and Turner both left. Most of the talk surrounds unproven sophomore Amorion Walker and UMass transfer Josh Wallace.

What German does bring is experience and the ability to play on special teams. Altogether, he has played in 34 career games, including 27 over the past two years. This will likely be another year of playing on specials except in blowouts.

Prediction: Backup cornerback and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #55 Jyaire Hill

 

Jyaire Hill (image via 247 Sports)

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Name: Jyaire Hill
Height: 6’2"
Weight: 171 lbs.
High school: Kankakee (IL) Kankakee
Position: Cornerback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #20
Last year: Hill was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 42 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 3 forced fumbles.
TTB Rating: 88

Hill swooped in late during the 2023 recruiting class and quickly became one of the most exciting players in the group. Michigan needed help at cornerback and had struggled to land a big-time player at the position despite on-field success and a good chance of playing time if D.J. Turner II and Gemon Green decided to leave, which they did. (To be fair, Turner and Green did not announce their decisions until after the December signing day.) Hill had been one of Michigan's top priorities at the position, but he was considering Illinois and Auburn, two programs whose success on the field in the past few years has paled in comparison to Michigan's. So it seemed like an obvious choice, but Michigan had to sweat it out, anyway.

This season will be an interesting year for Hill and the cornerback position in general. Sophomore Will Johnson is a lock to start on one side, but the other side still seems up in the air. Amorion Walker was talked up in the spring, but he didn't look good in the spring game. UMass transfer Josh Wallace is a multi-year starter who has the experience edge over everyone. And it's also possible that nickel corner Mike Sainristil could play on the outside.

It would be a surprise if Hill leaps over those other guys for a starting role. I think he needs to wait until at least 2024 before he's ready for that responsibility. But as a talented player at a position that's going to need a new face next year - both Wallace and Sainristil will probably be gone - it would be good for Hill to get some experience in 2023.

Prediction: Backup cornerback

2023 Season Countdown: #56 Greg Crippen

 

Greg Crippen

Name: Greg Crippen
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 301 lbs.
High school: Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
Position: Center
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #51
Last year: I ranked Crippen #35 and said he would be a backup center (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: 65

Crippen is taking a roller coaster ride in the season countdowns so far in his career. I ranked him in the 80s as a freshman, and he played in six games, burning his redshirt. Then I ranked him #35 last year as a backup center, but he played in just one game behind Olu Oluwatimi, getting his redshirt back. Now I'm putting him at #56 and he will probably win the Rimington.

More seriously, Crippen started for the Maize team in the spring game, but the spring game was sans Stanford transfer Drake Nugent. Nugent is expected to start, but there's also competition from Raheem Anderson II. I was more impressed with Anderson (who started for the Blue team) than Crippen and I would rank the centers as Nugent, then Anderson, then Crippen. Crippen and Anderson can both play a little bit of guard, but they're probably not the primary backups there. Whoever isn't starting in 2023 needs to get some experience, because it's possible that Michigan will lose all five starters to the NFL before 2024.

Prediction: Backup center

2023 Season Countdown: #57 Micah Pollard

 

Micah Pollard (image via Rivals)

Name: Micah Pollard
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 206 lbs.
High school: Jacksonville (FL) Bartram Trail
Position: Linebacker
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #4
Last year: I ranked Pollard #95 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in twelve games and made 8 tackles.
TTB Rating: 74

The expectations for Pollard were a little bit up in the air going into 2022. He was light at 200 pounds and Michigan didn't have a strong need for a bunch of new contributions from linebackers. I expected him to redshirt for those reasons, but he surprisingly played in twelve games - mostly on special teams, but in four games at linebacker. So he burned his redshirt, which is usually a clue that the coaching staff likes a player.

The 2023 season will be an interesting one for him. Sam Webb recently pegged Pollard as someone that Michigan fans aren't talking enough about when it comes to playing time for 2023, but I'm not sure where he fits. Junior Colson is expected to start, with Jimmy Rolder or Ernest Hausmann or Michael Barrett taking the other inside linebacker spot. Pollard is also light, so maybe he's not an inside linebacker . . . but there's not a ton of room for a 206 lb. non-nickel on the field. If Michigan needs a nickel, they'll probably go with a safety type. So I don't necessarily buy the idea that Pollard will play much of a role on defense, but he should be a regular special teams contributor once again in 2023.

Prediction: Backup linebacker and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #58 Greg Tarr

 

Greg Tarr (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Greg Tarr
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 216 lbs.
High school: Washington (MI) Romeo
Position: Long snapper
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #45
Last year: I ranked Tarr #65 and said he would be a backup long snapper (LINK). He played in ten games and started nine of them.
TTB Rating: N/A

Here's what I said last year when I ranked Tarr #65 in the countdown:

A backup long snapper is completely and utterly useless on game days . . . until he isn't.

And it turned out he wasn't completely and utterly useless, because starting long snapper William Wagner tore his ACL a month into the season. Tarr stepped in and didn't miss a beat. Freshman preferred walk-on Evan Boutorwick never even got a sniff of the field. Sometimes a backup long snapper is noticeable, but if you told Michigan fans that Tarr started every game last season, very few would probably remember that the guy in there from October onward was a different guy.

With the advancements in medicine over the past decade or two, I expect Wagner to be back to full go by the season. When Michigan opens up against East Carolina, it will have been eleven months since Wagner tore his ACL. Most guys seem to be ready in eight or nine months these days (on the "In the Trenches" podcast, Jake Butt just talked about how his first ACL recovery only took about six months). I'm bumping Tarr up a little bit just in case Wagner has some lingering issues, but I would expect Wagner - who has been the primary starter for the past two seasons - to reclaim his job for 2023.

Prediction: Backup long snapper

2023 Season Countdown: #59 Cole Cabana

 

Cole Cabana

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Name: Cole Cabana
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 180 lbs.
High school: Dexter (MI) Dexter
Position: Running back
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #24
Last year: Cabana was a senior in high school (LINK). He ran for 1,518 yards and 27 touchdowns, caught passes for 472 yards and 6 touchdowns, and had 444 return yards and 3 return touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 73

Cabana was Michigan's highest rated recruit for much of the cycle. One of the fastest players in the recruiting cycle, he was explosive with the ball in his hands for the past few years. Whether it was running the ball, catching the ball, or returning kicks, he had a chance to take it to the house every time. He ended up ranked as a 4-star, the #10 running back, and #172 overall in the 247 Composite ranking.

Cabana's best chance to play in 2023, in my opinion, is on kickoff returns. Michigan has the best backfield duo in the country in Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, and I think the coaching staff will focus on getting those guys the ball as often as necessary to win games comfortable and impressive the College Football Playoff selection committee. Fellow freshman Benjamin Hall made a case in the spring to be the third-string running back, but sophomore C.J. Stokes may also be a factor. The point is that Cabana isn't really needed on offense; this backfield is the same as 2022 when Michigan ran roughshod over almost everyone.

What Michigan lost, however, is punt returner and part-time kickoff returner A.J. Henning. And as part-time kickoff returner Roman Wilson becomes more important on offense after the departure of Ronnie Bell, I'm not sure if the coaching staff will want Wilson returning kicks anymore. So if Cabana wants to see the field in 2023 and doesn't mind burning his redshirt, I think Michigan should give him a shot to handle kickoffs.

Prediction: Backup running back and part-time kickoff returner

2023 Season Countdown: #60 T.J. Guy

 

T.J. Guy (image via MGoBlue)

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Name: T.J. Guy
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 246 lbs.
High school: Mansfield (MA) Mansfield
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #42
Last year: I ranked Guy #50 and said he would be a backup defensive end (LINK). He made 4 tackles.
TTB Rating: 65

Guy seems to be steadily progressing in his career. After playing in two games as a freshman, he played in ten total contests last fall, including six on defense. He came into college with some questions about where he should play - end or tackle - but he's been hovering in the 240s for his entire career so far.

The outlook for 2023 is perhaps a little brighter than it was in 2022. Mike Morris, Taylor Upshaw, and Eyabi Okie have all moved on from his position group. Josaiah Stewart, Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor, and Derrick Moore are probably going to make up the top four edges, so Guy will be battling Kechaun Bennett, Tyler McLaurin, and freshman to get the other snaps available. While Bennett flashed a little bit in the spring, Guy has been more trusted by the coaches when it comes to live games over the past couple years, so I'm giving Guy the nod in the race for playing time.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

2024 Recruiting Update: July 24, 2023

 

Taylor Tatum (image via Twitter)

OFF THE BOARD

Hit the jump for more.

2023 Season Countdown: #61 Joey Velazquez

 

Joey Velazquez (image via Twitter)

Name: Joey Velazquez
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 225 lbs.
High school: Columbus (OH) St. Frances DeSales
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt senior
Jersey number: #29
Last year: I ranked Velazquez #49 and said he would be a backup linebacker and special teamer (LINK). He made 6 tackles.
TTB Rating: 82

Velazquez has spent the last four years pulling double duty as a football player and baseball player. During the football season last fall, he played linebacker in five blowout games, but was mostly a special teams player. This happened despite the fact that Nikhai Hill-Green was injured and Kalel Mullings was spending time at running back. Former linebackers coach George Helow inserted freshman Jimmy Rolder over Velazquez, which shows where the baseballer fits in the pecking order.

Baseball has been a little more promising as far as playing time goes. Velazquez started 38 games this spring and hit .245 with 4 homeruns and 22 runs batted in.

I'm expecting more of the same on the gridiron this fall, though. Velazquez continues to lag behind others in the hunt for playing time, and things didn't get much easier with the transfer in of Nebraska linebacker Ernest Hausmann. Velazquez will likely continue to be behind Junior Colson, Rolder, and Michael Barrett, along with newcomer Hausmann. So at best he's the fifth inside linebacker on the roster. But he is a solid special teams player, so we should see him on the field pretty regularly from week to week.

Prediction: Backup linebacker and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #62 Adam Samaha

 

Adam Samaha (image via Twitter)

Name: Adam Samaha
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 170 lbs.
High school: Ann Arbor (MI) Huron
Position: Kicker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Samaha was a senior in high school. He made 11/14 field goals, was perfect on extra points, and kicked touchbacks on 50/56 kickoffs.
TTB Rating: N/A

I regularly shrug my shoulders when it comes to evaluating kickers on film. The kicks they put on film look good, and the kicks that aren't good don't end up on film. Unlike, say, wide receiver where a poor release can still end up in an acrobatic catch, or where a 315-pound offensive lineman with poor technique can still pancake a poor 220-pound high school defensive tackle . . . consistency is key in kicking, and I just find that hard to evaluate on film.

So how much will Samaha factor into the 2023 season? Your guess is as good as mine. He could end up being the kickoff guy or the field goal guy. He could totally miss out on playing a single play in 2023. Michigan brought in Louisville transfer James Turner as a place kicker and Mississippi State transfer Hudson Hollenbeck to help with kickoffs. Throw in punter/kicker Tommy Doman, and Michigan has at least four guys capable of kicking balls in some way, shape, or form. If Samaha doesn't win one of the jobs, I think he will at least provide good competition to keep Turner and/or Hollenbeck on their toes.

Prediction: Backup kicker

2023 Season Countdown: #63 Reece Atteberry

 

Reece Atteberry (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Reece Atteberry
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 315 lbs.
High school: Aurora (CO) Eaglecrest
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #74
Last year: I ranked Atteberry #47 and said he would be a backup offensive guard (LINK). He played in three games.
TTB Rating: 74

Atteberry came in with a plan to play center, and that shifted to guard over the past couple seasons. He seems like someone the coaches like, but who can't quite make his way onto the field consistently. After playing in one game as a freshman and preserving his redshirt - though it was a COVID year so it didn't really count - he played in eight games in 2021 and then just three in 2022.

The outlook doesn't look much better for playing time in 2023. Michigan has numerous starting-caliber offensive linemen, but the names bandied about don't include Atteberry. That's because both starting guards - Zak Zinter and Trevor Keegan - return, while players with guard experience also exist, such as Karsen Barnhart and Arizona State transfer La'Darius Henderson. It may be a big year for Atteberry to establish himself in practice as a front-runner to play in 2024, but for now, he probably won't see a ton of playing time except for during blowouts.

Prediction: Backup offensive guard

2023 Season Countdown: #64 Evan Boutorwick

 

Evan Boutorwick (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Evan Boutorwick
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 231 lbs.
High school: Sterling Heights (MI) Henry Ford II
Position: Long snapper
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #46
Last year: I ranked Boutorwick #111 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: N/A

What do you do when you're doing a countdown and you recognize too late that you missed a person?

Well, in this case you put them at #64 in the countdown.

This is not a slight against Boutorwick, who is surely a fine young man and an excellent long snapper, but he's the third-string snapper behind Greg Tarr and Will Wagner. Wagner has been the team's starter for the past two seasons but was lost to injury, so Tarr stepped in for the final two-thirds of the 2022 season. I assume Wagner will be back to full strength after a torn ACL suffered on October 1, but you never know with ACLs.

Boutorwick was going to be in the 80s as the backup to the backup long snapper, but considering Wagner's pre-existing injury, maybe #64 isn't altogether too high, after all. Regardless, Michigan is unlikely to rely on its third-best long snapper too much in 2023.

Prediction: Backup long snapper

2023 Season Countdown: #65 Eamonn Dennis

 

Eamonn Dennis (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Eamonn Dennis
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 184 lbs.
High school: Worcester (MA) St. John’s
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #80
Last year: I ranked Dennis #76 and said he would be a backup cornerback (LINK). He played in twelve games on special teams.
TTB Rating: 79

Dennis made the switch from cornerback to wide receiver last summer, but it didn't make much of a difference when it came time to see the field. He played in twelve games last season, but it was exclusively on special teams. So far in three seasons on campus, he has not played on offense or defense.

Darrius Clemons reported to Sam Webb that Dennis is the fastest player on the team, but whether that translates to actually playing receiver at all, we'll have to see. For now I'm going to assume that Dennis's main role will continue to be on special teams coverage. There's been no buzz about his ability to contribute at receiver or on kickoff/punt returns. Special teams players have some value, of course, but his upside for the team overall is limited unless he can play offense or defense.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #66 Zach Peterson

 

Zach Peterson (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Zach Peterson
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 186 lbs.
High school: Roswell (GA) Wesleyan
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Sixth year senior
Jersey number: #86
Last year: I did not rank Peterson. He played in seven games.
TTB Rating: N/A

If you're befuddled right now and don't know who Zach Peterson is, don't feel bad. He spent his first four years in college at Furman, where he made 16 catches for 251 yards and 1 touchdown.

Zach Peterson at Furman (#19, image via Furman Paladins)

Then he transferred to Michigan last year, where he played mostly on special teams. But he was named Special Teams Player of the Week against Illinois, and he was named Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year for the 2022 season. So he must have been doing some things right.

Now Peterson enters his sixth year of college and he's had some minor successes at the FBS level. His value is obviously on special teams and on the scout team, but if he can keep giving Michigan's defense a good look in practice, that's a valuable asset to have on the team. And he should get in some games on special teams coverage.

Prediction: Special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #67 Kody Jones

 

Kody Jones (image via Instagram)

Name: Kody Jones
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 193 lbs.
High school: Memphis (TN) Germantown
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #12
Last year: I ranked Jones #84 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He made 5 tackles and played in four games.
TTB Rating: 80

Jones was a little bit small as a true freshman. Combined with the fact that Michigan had good depth in the defensive backfield, he was always unlikely to play a major role. The good news is that the coaches pushed his playing time to the brink while still maintaining his redshirt, so he played in four games, and that was it.

This year things are looking a little brighter for Jones, but maybe not much. While the depth chart ahead of him has thinned out, he's still not really in the discussion for a starting position. He was recruited as a safety, but he played some cornerback. His best bet for playing time might be if the coaching staff plays Mike Sainristil at cornerback, opening up the nickel spot for someone like Jones, though he might still be battling with Keshaun Harris or Ja'den McBurrows. No matter how it's sliced, there's a good deal of competition and a lot of moving parts in the defensive backfield.

Prediction: Backup defensive back and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #68 Semaj Morgan

 

Semaj Morgan (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Semaj Morgan
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 180 lbs.
High school: West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #12
Last year: Morgan was a senior in high school (LINK). He caught 43 passes for 733 yards and 14 touchdowns; he also threw 5 touchdowns as a backup quarterback.
TTB Rating: 76

Morgan was a key component of the 2023 recruiting class as the second verbal in the class, following only kicker Adam Samaha. He was a consistent recruiter and constantly at Michigan recruiting events throughout the cycle. As a football player, he was always impressively tough in 7v7 and actual football games, despite being a little undersized at 5'10". His ability to make catches in traffic and bounce off tacklers should serve him well in the future.

Morgan lacks elite speed, but his toughness and strength may serve him well as a possession receiver. I also think he could have value as a punt returner. Michigan needs to replace A.J. Henning at that spot, and while trusting a freshman to return punts is a bit scary, there aren't a ton of upperclassman options. I think Morgan will start to get his feet wet a little bit this year, perhaps to groom him for a larger special teams role in 2024. I don't think he will ever become a dynamic starting receiver, but he could be a consistent, reliable player for the Wolverines.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

2023 Season Countdown: #69 Myles Pollard

 

Myles Pollard (image via Twitter)

Name: Myles Pollard
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 191 lbs.
High school: Brentwood (TN) Ravenwood
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #24
Last year: I ranked Pollard #88 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in two games and made 1 tackle.
TTB Rating: 83

Pollard was not needed in 2022, so he was always a longshot to get much run. Not only did Michigan have some veteran starters in Gemon Green and D.J. Turner II, but they also had 5-star freshman Will Johnson. So when Pollard joined the recruiting class, he was always looked at as more of a year two contributor, if that.

Now going into year two, I see Pollard as a possible year three contributor . . . if that. Will Johnson returns on one side, and the buzz about the other starting corner revolves mostly around three people: UMass transfer Josh Wallace, converted receiver Amorion Walker, and Ja'den McBurrows. Pollard does not have great speed, so he will need to be physical and technical if he wants to succeed. He may be on that path, but it will take some time before he gets a chance to show it.

Prediction: Backup cornerback and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #70 Davis Warren

 

Davis Warren (image via Twitter)

Name: Davis Warren
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: Suffield (CT) Suffield Academy
Position: Quarterback
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #16
Last year: I ranked Warren #64 and said he would be a backup quarterback (LINK). He completed 5/9 passes for 89 yards and ran 3 times for 30 yards.
TTB Rating: N/A

Warren came out of nowhere in 2022 to look like Michigan's third-best quarterback, behind J.J. McCarthy and Cade McNamara. He looked better than Alan Bowman and Alex Orji in the spring game, and I don't think much changed into the season. He ended up with more passing attempts (9) and games played (6) than Bowman (7 and 4, respectively) and Orji (3 and 1, respectively). And he looked pretty good doing it, averaging 9.9 yards per attempt and 10 yards per carry.

Those numbers won't hold up in the long run, but it was a pretty good debut for a redshirt freshman walk-on. It's also somewhat telling that Bowman transferred out and will likely be Oklahoma State's starter this fall. So Michigan's walk-on third-stringer is better than Oklahoma State's starting quarterback.

And now is where you might be confused about why Warren is the fourth-highest quarterback on the countdown. Obviously, McCarthy is the top guy, and then I'm guessing Indiana transfer Jack Tuttle will be the primary backup. Then there's Orji, who I think will be a bigger factor in 2023 as a running option to keep McCarthy healthy and fresh. Warren is a more traditional quarterback who isn't much of a running option - despite averaging 10.0 yards per rush last season - so his value is more as a wholesale sub in case something happens to McCarthy and/or Tuttle, whereas Orji is somewhat of a one-trick pony. I think Warren could potentially be Michigan's starter in 2024 if McCarthy leaves for the NFL and if Jadyn Davis isn't ready to step on the field. But for now I think Warren is entrenched as the third or fourth QB this season.

Prediction: Backup quarterback

2023 Season Countdown: #71 Kechaun Bennett

 

Kechaun Bennett (#52, image via MLive)

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Name: Kechaun Bennett
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 241 lbs.
High school: Suffield (CT) Suffield Academy
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #52
Last year: I ranked Bennett #59 and said he would be a backup defensive end (LINK). He played in three games.
TTB Rating: 78

Bennett's 2022 season was a very quiet one. Buried pretty low on the depth chart, he played in Michigan's first three games of the season, all of which were massive blowouts. Then he disappeared for the rest of the year. Michigan had a great defensive season and they stayed mostly injury-free at the edge positions, so he was never really in the running to play in a backup role, either.

There was a little bit of excitement this spring about the way Bennett played, so maybe he's finally coming around in year three. His listed weight is the same as last season and he's actually one inch shorter at 6'4" than he was listed last year. But he made 3 tackles in the spring game and also got a QB hurry on Jack Tuttle that forced an interception. The depth chart is a little friendlier in 2023 than it was in 2022, so that's good news for Bennett: Mike Morris (NFL), Taylor Upshaw (Arizona), and Eyabi Okie (Charlotte) all departed, while Josaiah Stewart was added from Coastal Carolina. But Bennett is still probably a third-stringer at best.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

2023 Season Coutdown: #72 Andrew Gentry

 

Andrew Gentry (#75, image via Twitter)

Name: Andrew Gentry
Height: 6’7″
Weight: 312 lbs.
High school: Littleton (CO) Columbine
Position: Offensive line
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #75
Last year: I did not rank Gentry. He played in three games.
TTB Rating: 85

Gentry was a late addition to Michigan's unit in 2022, and as a result, I completely overlooked putting him in the 2022 countdown. So he was not placed last year, which didn't matter much because he played in just three games after completing his two-year Mormon mission. Nobody expected him to play a ton after taking two years off from football. He was still very rusty and played in just two games on offense, one at right guard and one at right tackle.

Going into the 2023 season, I have seen some positive buzz coming out of practices but I'm still not sold on him being ready. There's still some rust to be knocked off from what I saw in the spring game, and there's hefty competition on the offensive line. I think Gentry is at least one year away from being a starting-caliber player, whether it's at guard or tackle. The speed of the game is still a little surprising to him, and he was getting caught flat-footed by aggressive defensive linemen. Perhaps after several linemen depart, he'll be ready to go in 2024. For now I think he will carve out a role on the field goal/extra point protection unit.

Prediction: Backup offensive lineman and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #73 Fredrick Moore

 

Fredrick Moore (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Fredrick Moore
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 176 lbs.
High school: Saint Louis (MO) Cardinal Ritter
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #82
Last year: Moore was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 67 catches for 1,504 yards and 24 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 68

Moore was an extremely productive receiver for a state championship-winning team in 2022. His receiving numbers are pretty outstanding for a high school season, although those numbers did accumulate over a 14-game season since Cardinal Ritter went all the way through the championship game. Regardless, how often do you see high school receivers rack up 1,504 yards and 24 receiving touchdowns? Despite the gaudy numbers, Moore still only ranked as a 3-star, the #72 wide receiver, and #520 overall.

Moore is still very thin at 176 lbs., and most guys have a tough time getting on the field at that size. I still had a tough time ranking him, because he could be anywhere from not getting on the field to being Michigan's starting punt returner. With A.J. Henning off to Northwestern (at least for now) and Ronnie Bell off to the NFL, Michigan needs a new punt returner. Moore is a consideration because of his success in the role in high school (he scored 7 punt/kick return touchdowns in high school). I have my doubts that Jim Harbaugh will trust a true freshman there, and when it comes to playing receiver, most freshmen just get a small dose of snaps, if that. I do think we will get a chance to see Moore on the field at least a little bit this fall so he can get his feet wet, because Michigan will need contributors in 2024, when Cornelius Johnson and possibly Roman Wilson could be gone to the NFL.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver and special teamer

Jacob Smith, Wolverine

Jacob and Jerod Smith

Cheshire (CT) Cheshire Academy defensive end Jacob Smith committed to Michigan on Thursday. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and USC, among others.

Smith is listed at 6'4" and 230 lbs.

RANKINGS
ESPN: 4-star, 84 grade, #14 DE, #97 overall
On3: 3-star, 89 grade, #36 edge
Rivals: 4-star, 5.8 grade, #16 WDE, #240 overall
247 Sports: 4-star, 90 grade, #14 edge, #234 overall

Hit the jump for more.

2023 Season Countdown: #74 Jaydon Hood

 

Jaydon Hood (image via Yahoo!)

Name: Jaydon Hood
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 217 lbs.
High school: Fort Lauderdale (FL) Saint Thomas Aquinas
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #34
Last year: I ranked Hood #45 and said he would be a backup linebacker and special teamer (LINK). He made 3 tackles and 1 pass breakup.
TTB Rating: 72

Hood had a prime opportunity in 2022 to take advantage of some open snaps at inside linebacker. Josh Ross had departed after the 2021 season, and returning starter Nikhai Hill-Green missed the entire year with an injury. Junior Colson was basically assured a starting spot, but there was one position open and Hood failed to seize it. In fact, he barely laid claim to any snaps, playing in just three games.

I have heard some mildly positive things about Hood from practice, but the buzz about other players has been more significant. At this point he appears to be looking up at Colson, Michael Barrett, Ernest Hausmann, Jimmy Rolder, and possibly others, especially if Kalel Mullings is still taking snaps on defense. So at best Hood is still the fifth linebacker going into his third season on campus. Hood is a good athlete and known for his hitting ability, but his best chance in 2023 might be to carve out a role on special teams.

Prediction: Backup linebacker and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #75 Cameron Calhoun

 

Cameron Calhoun (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Cameron Calhoun
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 171 lbs.
High school: Cincinnati (OH) Winton Woods
Position: Cornerback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #22
Last year: Calhoun was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 52 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions, and 15 pass breakups.
TTB Rating: 73

Calhoun was wanted by Kentucky, Maryland, and Pitt, among others, but Michigan won out in a close battle against the Kentucky Wildcats. He finished the cycle ranked as a 4-star, the #31 cornerback, and #396 overall. He enrolled early in Ann Arbor back in January and participated in spring practices. Overall, the feedback was positive and he seemed to put himself in a good position to play in the future.

Michigan's shortage of cornerbacks is going to require some young, inexperienced guys to play. The Wolverines did land UMass transfer Josh Wallace to potentially start opposite Will Johnson, and they also have the super-athletic - but raw - Amorion Walker. Calhoun has virtually no chance to start, but he could mix in at times to prepare for the future. I think fellow freshman Jyaire Hill is more athletic and has a higher upside, but Calhoun might get a chance to show his stuff, especially early in the season.

Prediction: Backup cornerback

2023 Season Countdown: #76 Tristan Bounds

 

Tristan Bounds (image via Maize 'n' Brew)

Name: Tristan Bounds
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 311 lbs.
High school: Wallingford (CT) Choate Rosemary Hall
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #72
Last year: I ranked Bounds #75 and said he would be a backup offensive tackle (LINK). He played in three games.
TTB Rating: 82

Bounds came to college in 2021 with a lot of developmental work to be done, not only on his technique but on his body. An extremely tall lineman, he was athletic but relatively thin for his position. Last season Michigan had three starting-caliber players at the tackle positions (Ryan Hayes, Karsen Barnhart, Trente Jones), so he wasn't going to be needed, anyway, but he was listed at 282 pounds, which was still way too light to play.

This year Bounds is up to 311, which is almost 30 pounds of additional weight. The crazy thing is that when it came to the spring game, he still looked very thin. If he was 311 in the spring, he probably needs to be 325 before he looks the part. On top of that, Michigan once again has at least three starting-caliber tackles: even with the loss of Hayes to the NFL, there's now Barnhart, Jones, and Arizona State transfer La'Darius Henderson. Add in Jeffrey Persi and Andrew Gentry (who could also play guard) and there are at least six guys with great potential, though they're not all ready to play. Bounds still has a lot of technical work to be done and needs consistency, so he's a deep backup who might be able to work onto the field goal/extra point protection unit, but that's about it except for blowouts.

Prediction: Backup offensive tackle

2023 Season Countdown: #77 Marlin Klein

 

Marlin Klein (image via Maize 'n' Brew)

Name: Marlin Klein
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 245 lbs.
High school: Rabun Gap (GA) Nacoochee
Position: Tight end
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #17
Last year: I ranked Klein #89 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in two games.
TTB Rating: 81

Klein never had much of a chance to play significant snaps in 2022. Not only did Michigan have a glut of tight ends, but Klein was built very slight. At his height and just 215 pounds, he was never going to hold up against Big Ten defensive linemen or linebackers, and even some safeties probably could have pushed him around. So he got in the game at the end of a couple blowouts against Hawaii and UConn and that was it.

This year he has more of a chance, and I think we will see him start to emerge. Several tight ends moved on from last year's team, so Klein moves up the depth chart a little bit. He is also listed at 245 this season, though he still looked pretty skinny in the spring game. I think blocking is still a major issue for Klein, so I don't foresee him playing a significant role in 2023. However, multiple players/coaches have mentioned in interviews that he's a bit of a freak athlete. The first three guys are probably Colston Loveland, A.J. Barner, and Matt Hibner, and Klein has a shot to be mixing in after that, along with Max Bredeson.

Prediction: Backup tight end

2023 Season Countdown: #78 Tyler McLaurin

 

Tyler McLaurin (image via Twitter)

Name: Tyler McLaurin
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 231 lbs.
High school: Bolingbrook (IL) Bolingbrook
Position: Edge
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #27
Last year: I ranked McLaurin #60 and said he would be a backup linebacker and special teamer (LINK). He played in four games.
TTB Rating: 75

Much like Ike Iwunnah (LINK), it's starting to get a bit late for Tyler McLaurin to look like a contributor. He started off as a linebacker in 2021, but last year he got thrown in with the "edge" players, presumably the Jaylen Harrell outside linebacker spot. Listed at 237 lbs. last season, I thought he would continue to bulk up. He played in four games in 2022, mostly on special teams.

Now McLaurin is still listed at "edge" in 2023, but he's down to 231 pounds, which is probably not a feasible weight for a 6'3" edge defender in the Big Ten unless you have some excellent quickness/athleticism, which is not necessarily McLaurin's forte based on his high school scouting. I expect McLaurin to be a special teams player, but I don't foresee him playing much defense in 2023.

Prediction: Backup outside linebacker and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #79 Ike Iwunnah

 

Ike Iwunnah (#92, image via Twitter)

Name: Ikechukwu Iwunnah
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 321 lbs.
High school: Garland (TX) Lakeview Centennial
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #92
Last year: I ranked Iwunnah #69 and said he would be a backup nose tackle (LINK). He did not play in any games.
TTB Rating: 75

Here's a fun fact about Ike Iwunnah: He's the only class of 2021 recruit yet to play a down of football in a Michigan uniform.

That is, unless you count transfer offensive tackle Willie Allen, who transferred in and out of Michigan during the off-season between 2020 and 2021.

Even Louis Hansen (UConn), George Rooks (Boston College), and a few offensive linemen who needed physical development have stepped on the field.

So here Iwunnah sits at #79 in the countdown, even though nose tackle Mazi Smith went to the Dallas Cowboys in the 1st round of the NFL Draft. Iwunnah has been passed up by 2022 signees Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, and fellow 2021 signee Rayshaun Benny has been earning more and more praise as he develops. Iwunnah has added about 15 pounds this off-season and may be more viable at the nose tackle position this season, but I will have to see it before I believe it for now, as there has been almost no practice buzz surrounding him at any point.

Prediction: Backup nose tackle

2023 Season Countdown: #80 Tavierre Dunlap

 

Tavierre Dunlap

Name: Tavierre Dunlap
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 217 lbs.
High school: Del Valle (TX) Del Valle
Position: Running back
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #22
Last year: I ranked Dunlap #66 and said he would be a backup running back (LINK). He ran 9 times for 46 yards and caught 1 pass for 5 yards.
TTB Rating: 59

A blog contributor recently threw out the phrase "It's getting late early" in jest for a true freshman who might not fit what the current coaching staff wants, and that was a phrase that I was holding out until I got to the Dunlap post. Dunlap was the #237 overall player in the 2021 class, but he was part of a two-back class that included Donovan Edwards. While Edwards had some big plays in 2021 and had a standout season in 2022, Dunlap has been quietly working in as the fourth or fifth back. Last season he finished with fewer touches than Edwards, Blake Corum, freshman C.J. Stokes, walk-on Isaiah Gash, and converted linebacker Kalel Mullings. It was especially damning when Gash got some short yardage carries and some crunch-time touches against Illinois while Dunlap watched from the sideline.

Going into the 2023 season, Dunlap will certainly be behind Corum and Edwards, and I expect him to also be behind Stokes and Mullings. The real question is whether freshmen Benjamin Hall and Cole Cabana pass him up, too. Hall had a solid spring game, and Cabana is a speedster with big play ability. So far Dunlap has not shown much wiggle, speed, or power, and those skills don't often suddenly appear in year three. I would not be surprised if this is Dunlap's final year in a Michigan uniform before transferring. But hopefully Corum and Edwards can get their touches, put Michigan ahead, and leave a lot of reps in the third and fourth quarters for the backups to show their stuff.

Prediction: Backup running back and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #81 Zack Marshall

 

Zack Marshall (image via Wolverines Wire)

Name: Zack Marshall
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 220 lbs.
High school: Carlsbad (CA) Carlsbad
Position: Tight end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #83
Last year: Marshall was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 23 catches for 284 yards and 5 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 58

Michigan landed Marshall last August, but I didn't write a commitment post for him until the beginning of February. So I had a chance to view his senior film before writing up my post. He missed a third of his senior year due to transferring schools and having to sit out for four weeks, so his stats don't represent a full season. But when I watch Marshall, he seems like just an adequate athlete to play tight end in the Big Ten. There's nothing that really stands out about him, whether it's his size, speed, hands, athleticism, blocking, etc.

Reports coming out of spring were positive in regards to Marshall. The coaches apparently like his attitude and toughness, so that's good. But it's tough to play tight end much as a freshman, especially as someone coming in at 220 pounds. Even though Michigan lost several tight ends last season, Colston Loveland and A.J. Barner should get a majority of the reps, with guys like Matt Hibner, Max Bredeson, and Marlin Klein also mixing in.

Prediction: Backup tight end

2023 Season Countdown: #82 Enow Etta

Enow Etta

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Name: Enow Etta
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 270 lbs.
High school: Colleyville (TX) Covenant Christian Academy
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Etta was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 122 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 2 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 87

Etta was a big get for Michigan in the 2023 class, and the Wolverines were lucky to hold on to him, too. While bookend pass rusher Collins Acheampong decommitted from Michigan for the Miami Hurricanes' money cannon, Etta held fast despite being recruited by Miami and Acheampong to join him in Coral Gables. Etta ended the cycle ranked as a 4-star, the #13 defensive lineman, and #120 overall.

When Etta arrives this summer, he will have some catching up to do. He was pretty much a big fish in a small pond at Covenant Christian Academy, which is a mid-sized private school in Texas, and the competition there is not great. He looked like a man among boys, running past offensive tackles who clearly had no business trying to block him. Things are going to look a little different in college when he's trying to get past 6'5", 310 lb. offensive tackles instead of 6'2", 230 lb. kids. So there's going to be an uptick in competition, and Michigan already has a pretty solid foursome of Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor, Josaiah Stewart, and Derrick Moore to man the edge rusher positions, not to mention a couple other competitors vying for playing time. I think Etta will get some chances to show his stuff, but while Moore developed into a decent player last season, I think we're going to have to wait until at least 2024 to see that from Etta.

Prediction: Backup defensive end