I feel really good about my predictions for 2023 and I'm nearly certain they'll all be correct.
LEADING RUSHER Junior running back Blake Corum had 1,463 yards on the ground in 2022. Unless his surgically repaired knee doesn't hold up, he's a good bet to lead the team in rushing again, even with the presence of star running back Donovan Edwards. Edwards should get a lot of rushing attempts and might even top 1,000 yards himself (he had 991 last year), but Corum should still be the #1 guy. Prediction: Blake Corum, 1400 yards
Hit the jump for the rest of the prognostications.
Name: J.J. McCarthy Height: 6’3″ Weight: 202 lbs. High school: Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy Position: Quarterback Class: Junior Jersey number: #9 Last year: I ranked McCarthy #20 and said he would be a backup quarterback (LINK). He started thirteen games and completed 208/322 passes (64.6%) for 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions; he also ran 70 times for 306 yards and 5 touchdowns. TTB Rating: 89
I'm almost always usually positively right about everything, but last year I thought McCarthy would be the backup quarterback and that turned out to be the case. Coming off of a CFP appearance in 2021, I thought it would be too difficult to replace Cade McNamara with a somewhat unproven sophomore in McCarthy. But early on it was obvious that McNamara lost some of his mojo, and that mojo had found its way to McCarthy's locker. McNamara started game one and didn't look good. McCarthy started game two and looked really good. By the end of game three, McNamara had a knee injury that knocked him out for the rest of the season, so the positional battle didn't really matter.
Statistically, McCarthy had a very good year. He had a higher completion percentage than any other QB in the Jim Harbaugh era, more yards than anyone except Shea Patterson (2019) and Jake Rudock (2015), and more touchdowns than everyone except Patterson (2019). He also had more rushing yards than any QB since Harbaugh was hired. For the first half of the season, McCarthy was leading the nation in completion percentage . . .
. . . and then things tailed off a little bit. In games nine through twelve, he didn't top 60% completions in any game. Even against Ohio State, he completed just 50% of his passes on 12/24 throws, but 3 of those completions went for touchdowns. His season ended with 2 ugly pick-sixes against TCU, which really cost the team in a 51-45 loss.
But now he has had an entire off-season as the unquestioned starter, and it's probably significant for his development that he has not had to split first team reps with another quarterback. No performance this season is going to have anyone but the dumbest Michigan fans calling for the backup. McCarthy is The Guy.
I have seen some people hyping him up to be a Heisman contender, and I do think that talk is a little premature. So far no Michigan quarterback under Harbaugh has topped 3,061 yards or 23 touchdowns. Last year's Heisman winner, USC's Caleb Williams, threw for 23 touchdowns in just his first eight games, and finished with 42 total passing scores (not to mention 383 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground). He's not going to throw for 4,500 yards and 40+ touchdowns when Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards are running for a combined 2,000+ yards and scoring 25+ touchdowns on the ground. What would it take for McCarthy to win the Heisman, realistically? Michigan would probably have to be 13-0 with McCarthy completing 72% or more of his passes for 35+ touchdowns with just a couple interceptions.
Possible? Eh, maybe. Likely? Not really.
Michigan should have great protection up front to keep McCarthy safe, which is great because the backup options are questionable. Jack Tuttle is the primary backup, but he has struggled during his time at Indiana and looks like a better leader than an actual quarterback. After that there's a walk-on in Davis Warren and a couple projects in Jayden Denegal and Alex Orji. If McCarthy goes down for any stretch of time, Michigan will have to grind it out in the running game, and their chances of winning when it comes to CFP time probably drop to zero.
This should be a great season for McCarthy, and he might even be First Team All-Big Ten, especially if Michigan goes 12-0. He's the most talented starting quarterback in the conference, even if a couple guys on more pass-happy teams put up bigger numbers. (Side note: Wisconsin OC Phil Longo's quarterbacks put up big numbers, Purdue is going to the Air Raid, and Ryan Day usually has Ohio State's QBs humming, etc.) I expect McCarthy to end up with 3,000+ yards and about 30 touchdowns, which would have put him at #4 and #2, respectively, in those categories within the Big Ten last year.
Name: Will Johnson Height: 6’2″ Weight: 202 lbs. High school: Grosse Pointe (MI) South Position: Cornerback Class: Sophomore Jersey number: #2 Last year: I ranked Johnson #34 and said he would be a backup cornerback (LINK). He started five games and made 27 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, and 6 pass breakups. TTB Rating: 91
Will Johnson was Michigan's most anticipated freshman enrollee since way back in . . . oh, 2021, when J.J. McCarthy first arrived on campus.
Okay, that might not be the best angle.
But still, Michigan fans - and coaches - were really looking forward to getting the 5-star corner on campus. The son of a former Michigan defensive back, Johnson had the size, athleticism, and local upbringing that made him a legend before he ever ran out to touch the banner. It took him some time to get that on-field performance on par with the hype, but he made it happen in the Big Ten Championship game.
The build-up to that game really started with his first career start, which took place against Rutgers in early November, peaking with his first career interception, which he returned 29 yards. It culminated with him following around Purdue wide receiver Charlie Jones, who had a decent game, but Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O'Connell also threw 2 picks to Johnson. Johnson's reactions and physicality really seemed to shine in that game and perhaps propelled expectations for him in 2023 to All-American levels.
I'm not so sure that Johnson will be an All-American in 2023, considering sometimes it takes ridiculous - and impossible to predict - interception numbers to earn that honor. Johnson could have an excellent season, but some kid from North Carolina State could make 10 interceptions and totally steal his thunder. Johnson will certainly be Michigan's #1 corner and he should be one of the best in the Big Ten, if not the best.
It's not only his talent that puts him at #2 in the countdown, though. There's also the uncomfortable fact that Michigan does not have much proven depth at the position. The coaching staff brought in UMass transfer Josh Wallace, but there was also a time in the spring where Jim Harbaugh anointed Amorion Walker a starter . . . before Walker looked kinda bad in the spring game. While Michigan has quality backups at almost every single position, the one spot on defense that gets shaky immediately is cornerback, so the hope is that Johnson stays healthy throughout the year.
Name: Mike Sainristil Height: 5’10” Weight: 182 lbs. High school: Everett (MA) Everett Position: Wide receiver Class: Fifth year senior Jersey number: #0 Last year: I ranked Sainristil #25 and said he would be a backup wide receiver and defensive back (LINK). He made 58 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 interception, and 8 pass breakups. TTB Rating: 84
As you can see above with my prediction from last year, Sainristil's prominence in Michigan's defense caught us by surprise. He was talked about by Jim Harbaugh as someone who could be a two-way player, and that hasn't been uncommon with Harbaugh. Guys like Kalel Mullings, Ben Mason, and Amorion Walker have all played some on both sides of the ball during his tenure.
What no one seemed to expect was his turning into an all-conference caliber player, one who won Defensive Player of the Week two times (against Colorado State and, more importantly, Ohio State). He was a fixture in the starting lineup, a deft tackler, and a good cover guy. The toughness he had shown as a receiver over the previous couple seasons also showed up on defense, so in his first year playing D, he was second among defensive backs in tackles and fourth on the team overall. But surely his most memorable play was when he knocked a pass away from OSU tight end Cade Stover at the last second, preserving a two-score lead.
This season I expect Sainristil to reprise his role as Michigan's starting nickel corner. There had been talk that he could slide to outside corner if nobody stepped up there, but it seems like Josh Wallace is the starter opposite Will Johnson at cornerback. Last year there was a surprise with Sainristil, so I won't write him off altogether as a starting outside corner. He should be even better with a year of experience under his belt and a full off-season of focusing on defense.
Name: Drake Nugent Height: 6’2" Weight: 301 lbs. High school: Lone Tree (CO) Highlands Ranch Position: Center Class: Fifth year senior Jersey number: #60 Last year: Nugent played at Stanford. He was a team captain and named Honorable Mention All-Pac 12. TTB Rating: N/A
Nugent appeared in just three games during his first two years on campus in Palo Alto, and then he became a full-time starter in 2021 for the Cardinal. He was named Honorable Mention All-Pac 12 both seasons and even became a Rimington finalist last year. Unfortunately, his team was terrible and didn't get much respect. When head coach David Shaw resigned, a bunch of players hit the transfer portal, including Nugent and offensive tackle Myles Hinton, both of whom ended up in Ann Arbor.
Michigan lost Rimington Award winner Olu Oluwatimi, but reports out of practice suggest the drop-off won't be that noticeable with Nugent snapping the ball. He's a fire hydrant in the middle of the offensive line, and he can move a little bit, too. (Which kind of ruins my fire hydrant metaphor, I guess.) He has good leverage at just 6'2", and he reportedly has proven to be tough and stout in fall practices after missing time in the spring due to injury. Nugent should start and be backed up by Greg Crippen. Jim Harbaugh has said both players could be All-Americans, but it seems for the second straight year that Crippen will be blocked by a transfer. There's a good chance that Nugent will at least be an All-Big Ten player, if not in line for even higher honors.
Name: Rod Moore Height: 6’0″ Weight: 198 lbs. High school: Clayton (OH) Northmont Position: Safety Class: Junior Jersey number: #19 Last year: I ranked Moore #16 and said he would start at safety (LINK). He made 71 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 7 pass breakups. TTB Rating: 72
By this point Michigan fans are very familiar with the name Rod Moore, but I feel like he did not garner quite enough attention last season. Maybe it's because he was in his first year as a starter, or maybe it's because he was not a highly valued recruit. Whatever the reason, he turned in a great season for the Wolverines, notching 71 tackles and 4 interceptions. In fact, that season total of 4 interceptions is the highest season total for a Michigan safety since Dewayne Patmon in 1998. Moore was solid on the back end and did a great job of keeping things in front of him, rarely getting beaten for big plays.
Moore is one of the best safeties in recent Michigan history, both in coverage and when coming downhill to make tackles. He has good speed and is fairly physical, but he just seems to be in the right place at the right time, which is probably more important than anything when playing the middle of the field. He's supposedly a film junkie and has aspirations of playing in the NFL . . . in 2024. There has been some talk that his junior year of 2023 might be his last in the college ranks. I would expect him to be an all-conference player this season, backed up by Keon Sabb and/or Zeke Berry, both second-year players, and fifth year senior Quinten Johnson.
Name: Blake Corum Height: 5’8″ Weight: 213 lbs. High school: Baltimore (MD) St. Frances Position: Running back Class: Senior Jersey number: #2 Last year: I ranked Corum #3 and said he would be a starting running back with 200 carries for 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns (LINK). He ran 247 times for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns, adding 11 catches for 80 yards and 1 touchdown. TTB Rating: 83
Corum had an outstanding season in 2022 and was a legitimate Heisman contender going into the home stretch. After a light load in the first few games against cupcakes (12 carries, 71 yards, and 5 TDs vs. UConn alone), he rang up a string of eight 100+ yard games, culminating with 18 carries for 108 yards against Illinois through less than two quarters . . . plus a knee injury. Along the way, he racked up 30, 29, 25, 28, 33, 20, and 28 carries during that stretch, and he was on pace for 36+ carries against the Illini before he was hurt.
After looking lightning fast in 2021, Corum put on some weight and seemed to lose some of that burst, but the burst turned into strength and agility. He made some ridiculous cuts and was very reliable on short yardage. He ran for a career-high 243 yards against Maryland, torched Penn State for 166 yards, and destroyed Michigan State with 177 yards on the ground. It was one of the best stretches of running we have seen from a Michigan back.
This season I'm moving Corum down a little bit because of that roster makeup. First and foremost, we now know that Donovan Edwards is a suitable replacement for Corum and maybe even offers more in the passing game. Second, Michigan now has a larger array of backup running backs. Whereas in 2022 it was either Corum or Edwards or . . . yikes, now the team has Kalel Mullings looking like the #3 running back, along with a seemingly tight battle between C.J. Stokes and Benjamin Hall to be the next guy on the field. Last year's Illinois game saw a freshman Stokes and walk-on Isaiah Gash (now medically retired) in the game at key points, and it was a nail-biter of a game. This doesn't diminish Corum's greatness, but it does soften the blow if he's unavailable again. I also think Michigan will rely on him a little less in order to keep him fresh through the end of the year. The days of 30 carries just for fun are probably over, and perhaps that type of workload will only occur if Michigan really needs him in a tight game.
Prediction: Starting running back; 220 carries for 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns
Name: Roman Wilson Height: 6’0″ Weight: 192 lbs. High school: Honolulu (HI) St. Louis Position: Wide receiver Class: Senior Jersey number: #1 Last year: I ranked Wilson #24 and said he would be a part-time starting wide receiver with 30 catches for 450 yards and 4 touchdowns (LINK). He started four games and caught 25 passes for 376 yards and 4 touchdowns, and he ran 2 times for 39 yards and 2 touchdowns. TTB Rating: 78
For the second consecutive year, Wilson made 25 catches in a season. Also for the second consecutive year, he struggled a little bit with nagging injuries that limited his availability and his effectiveness. But when he was available, he showed pretty consistently what his speed could do. With strong-armed quarterback J.J. McCarthy at the helm, Wilson found himself open deep time and time again. Unfortunately, McCarthy's arm was a little erratic early in the year, so some of the wide-open deep shots ended in frustration. Still, Wilson took a screen 61 yards to the house against Colorado State, he went for 104 yards against TCU, and in between he was keeping defenses honest by occasionally popping open deep to scare people. He also grabbed two carries on the year, turning them into 21- and 18-yard touchdowns on end arounds.
Wilson's speed is unmatched by the other receivers who have been getting on the field. (Word is that Eamonn Dennis is the fastest receiver, but he has only really played on special teams.) When a team can run the ball like Michigan can, an effective deep target can be a huge weapon. A lot depends on whether McCarthy can perform in 2023 like he did late in 2022. The play action game could be huge for getting Wilson to pop open deep, and on the flip side, if he makes some big plays early in the year, teams are going to have to start respecting that and possibly committing less to stopping the run. Even though I think Cornelius Johnson will lead the team in receptions, Wilson is the guy whose speed could make this offense take the next step in the passing game. Perhaps he and the coaches think so, too, which might be why Wilson will wear #1 this year instead of #14.
Prediction: Starting wide receiver; 38 receptions for 650 yards and 8 touchdowns
Name: Kris Jenkins, Jr. Height: 6’3″ Weight: 305 lbs. High school: Olney (MD) Our Lady of Good Counsel Position: Defensive tackle Class: Redshirt junior Jersey number: #94 Last year: I ranked Jenkins #18 and said he would be a starting defensive tackle with 35 tackles and 2 sacks (LINK). He made 54 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 2 quarterback hurries. TTB Rating: 77
If there's anyone who seems to follow right in his dad's footsteps - after all the legacies Michigan has seen - it appears to be Jenkins. Jenkins, whose dad and Uncle Cullen played defensive tackle in the NFL for a long time, has grown immensely over the past two years, putting on 20 pounds in each of the past two off-seasons. Last year's 20-pound jump put him at 285, which is feasible defensive tackle size. He proceeded to blow up a bunch of run plays, get after the passer a little bit, and put himself on the Honorable Mention All-Big Ten team. He was named Michigan's Defensive Player of the Week five times (including sharing the honor against Illinois in week eleven).
You could make an argument to place Jenkins higher in the countdown, but I think Michigan's defensive tackle depth is solid, especially in the two-deep with Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Rayshaun Benny. Throw in grad student Cam Goode and that's a solid fivesome, which doesn't include redshirt sophomore Ike Iwunnah or any of this year's freshmen. Jenkins is Michigan's top entry in Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List" for this year, and in some of the workout videos produced by the @umichfootball Twitter account, he looks jacked and supremely confident. I think it's going to be a fun season of seeing him consistently in opposing backfields.
Name: Mason Graham Height: 6’3″ Weight: 318 lbs. High school: Anaheim (CA) Servite Position: Defensive tackle Class: Sophomore Jersey number: #55 Last year: I ranked Graham #63 and said he would be a backup defensive tackle (LINK). He made 27 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 1 pass breakup. TTB Rating: 84
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said last year that one of Michigan's freshman defensive tackles was "a gift from the football gods" and that guy turned out to be Kenneth Grant . . . or Mason Graham. There was debate about which one he meant. It doesn't really matter, though, because Graham turned out to be excellent for a freshman, and Grant should be pretty darn good by the time all is said and done, too. Graham had 1 sack each against Iowa and Nebraska, and even though he didn't record any tackles for loss that weren't sacks, he was consistently eating up double teams or otherwise creating problems for opposing offensive lines. His technical expertise and motor were impressive, especially for a freshman.
Now Graham is a sophomore and, for better or worse, he's 26 pounds heavier than he was listed last year. Hopefully that doesn't affect his quickness or persistence, and just judging by what we've seen from him over the past couple years (in high school and as a freshman), odds are that he will continue to wreak havoc. Graham is likely to start at nose tackle next to Kris Jenkins, Jr., which is a very formidable starting duo, with Rayshaun Benny and Grant backing them up. It's likely to be another very good season for Graham.
Prediction: Starting nose tackle; 45 tackles, 4 sacks
TE Erick All (Iowa): All is now a Hawkeye and might play second fiddle at tight end to Luke Lachey, but Iowa uses multiple tight ends on a regular basis, so he should get plenty of playing time. Last year's second tight end was Lachey, who had 28 catches for 398 yards and 4 touchdowns behind Sam LaPorta, who is now with the Detroit Lions.
WR Andrel Anthony (Oklahoma): Anthony is slotted in as a starting receiver for the Sooners this fall. He's listed as a 6'1", 192 lb. junior.
QB Alan Bowman (Oklahoma State): Bowman is in a battle for the starting quarterback job at one of the "other" OSU schools.
OG Zach Carpenter (Indiana): Carpenter is a redshirt senior who is expected to start at center for the Hoosiers.
S Damani Dent (Charlotte): Dent is a 5'11", 196 lb. redshirt freshman at Charlotte.
CB Darion Green-Warren (Nevada): Green-Warren is a redshirt sophomore who is expected to be a backup for the Wolfpack in 2023.
TE Louis Hansen (UConn): Hansen is expected to start for the Huskies at tight end this fall. He's listed at 6'4" and 238 pounds.
Name: Zak Zinter Height: 6’6″ Weight: 322 lbs. High school: North Andover (MA) Buckingham Browne & Nichols Position: Offensive guard Class: Senior Jersey number: #65 Last year: I ranked Zinter #7 and said he would be the starting right guard. He started all fourteen games. TTB Rating: 76
Zinter is yet another lineman, just like Trevor Keegan, who had an outstanding season in 2022. Zinter was a First Team All-Big Ten player who could have gone to the NFL after the year. He had a great year overall, but he especially earned some acclaim for some of his blocking against Ohio State, launching Donovan Edwards for a couple 75+ yard touchdown runs on the way to the 45-23 win.
There's no reason to expect anything less from Zinter in 2023. He's still entrenched as the starter at right guard. Michigan is so deep on the offensive line that the Wolverines should be able to manage an injury or two during the year. Of course, we hope everyone stays healthy, but those big guys are hitting and getting rolled on nearly every single play. Luckily, for Michigan's sake, there are guys like Giovanni El-Hadi, Raheem Anderson, and others who would be starting on a lot of Big Ten teams but are backups in Ann Arbor. Depth is not quite so available at other positions, which is why a potential All-American is ranked at #10.
Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Trevor Keegan (77) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Name: Trevor Keegan Height: 6’6″ Weight: 320 lbs. High school: Crystal Lake (IL) Crystal Lake Position: Offensive guard Class: Fifth year senior Jersey number: #77 Last year: I ranked Keegan #17 and said he would be the starting left guard (LINK). He started eleven games at left guard. TTB Rating: 81
Keegan was a man mountain at left guard last season, moving people with regularity. He battled some injuries, but still managed to start eleven games, and he was well respected enough around the conference to be named First Team All-Big Ten. He was named Offensive Player of the Week twice, including against Penn State, when Michigan ran for a whopping 418 yards (Michigan's highest total since running for 481 yards in the 78-0 win over Rutgers in 2016).
Keegan is a highly valuable player and has been named a captain for 2023, but Michigan has such depth on the offensive line that it's tough to hold any of them in too high of esteem. If Keegan were to go down with injury again, there are a variety of offensive line concoctions that could hold up, including inserting Giovanni El-Hadi, shuffling La'Darius Henderson to guard, or inserting someone like Karsen Barnhart if Trente Jones is starting at tackle. It's a testament to the amount of talent on this team that a returning First Team All-Big Ten player and possible All-American is hanging out at #11 on the countdown.
Name: Cornelius Johnson Height: 6’3″ Weight: 208 lbs. High school: Greenwich (CT) Brunswick Position: Wide receiver Class: Fifth year senior Jersey number: #6 Last year: I ranked Johnson #13 and said he would be a starting wide receiver with 36 catches for 560 yards and 5 touchdowns (LINK). He started all fourteen games and made 32 catches for 499 yards and 6 touchdowns. TTB Rating: 87
Johnson had his most exciting season in 2022, and that season came down to one game: Ohio State. In just that one game, he caught 4 passes for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns. (In other words, he had just 28 catches for 339 yards and 4 touchdowns the rest of the year.) But the Buckeyes couldn't tackle him and couldn't cover him in space with a backup safety, so some of my favorite memories from last year have Johnson running free in Ohio Stadium on the way to two huge scores, both in distance and meaning.
As mentioned above, the rest of Johnson's 2022 year was largely forgettable. He followed up that performance against OSU with 1 catch for 9 yards against Purdue and 2 catches for 30 yards against TCU. In fact, on seven different occasions last year, he was held to just 1 or 2 catches.
But all of that took place in the Ronnie Bell era, and the Ronnie Bell era is over. Bell wasn't the fastest or tallest guy, but he always managed to get open and gain yards after the catch. Someone else needs to step up as the go-to guy. I'm not so sure it will be Johnson, but he has an opportunity. Johnson is a good route-runner with decent speed, but he has yet to really show he can catch the ball consistently in traffic. I think Johnson might lead the team in receiving without actually being the most important receiver, because the guy who should benefit most from Michigan's dominant running game is speedster Roman Wilson. But Bell caught 62 balls last season, and those chain-moving catches need to go somewhere. I expect Johnson to have a better statistical year and for some of those slot targets to be diverted more toward Johnson and Wilson, along with likely slot starter Tyler Morris.
Prediction: Starting wide receiver; 48 catches for 700 yards and 7 touchdowns
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Name: Donovan Edwards Height: 6’1” Weight: 210 lbs. High school: West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield Position: Running back Class: Junior Jersey number: #7 Last year: I ranked Edwards #15 and said he would be a part-time starting running back (LINK). He ran 140 times for 991 yards and 7 touchdowns; and caught 18 passes for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns. TTB Rating: 90
Edwards was a borderline 5-star prospect in the class of 2021, and he has not disappointed. As exciting as his 11-reception day was against Maryland his rookie year, nothing compared to his two huge rushing touchdowns against Ohio State last year, breaking the back of the reeling Buckeyes. He had a 75-yard rushing touchdown, and that wasn't even his biggest play of the game; instead, it was the 85-yarder, which ranks as the #8 longest rushing play in Michigan history.
Edwards got his chance to really stand out after Blake Corum was injured against Illinois. Despite having a broken right hand that forced him to carry the ball exclusively in his left (non-dominant) hand, he had a huge game (216 yards) against Ohio State, ran for 185 yards against Purdue, and ran for 123 yards against TCU in the Fiesta Bowl. He was 9 yards away from giving Michigan two 1,000-yard rushers in the same season.
The 2023 season should be another standout year for Edwards, who has now proven himself on some of the biggest stages of college football. While Corum does return and Edwards may be a nominal "backup," he should get plenty of opportunities in both the running and receiving phases of the game. There has been talk that he has been lining up in the slot, which makes sense because of the departure of Ronnie Bell. Michigan fans also hope that Corum can stay healthy for the entire season, because the outcome against TCU may have been a little different if Michigan's Heisman-caliber running back had been available for the playoff game. But Edwards is an excellent back in his own right, with game-breaking receiving abilities and big-play speed. There's a good chance that this will be his final season in Ann Arbor, so let's enjoy his wearing a winged helmet as much as we can.
Name: Junior Colson Height: 6’3″ Weight: 247 lbs. High school: Brentwood (TN) Ravenwood Position: Linebacker Class: Junior Jersey number: #25 Last year: I ranked Colson #2 and said he would be the starting middle linebacker with 110 tackles and 4 sacks (LINK). He made 101 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 pass breakup, and 1 quarterback hurry. TTB Rating: 89
Colson had a solid freshman campaign in 2021 followed up by a very good sophomore year. A player with sideline-to-sideline speed, he led the team in tackles with 101. He didn't necessarily have the one huge "wow" play that might really cement him in Michigan fan's memories - yet - but he was all over the field on a consistent basis, especially when he seemed to make every stop against Purdue. He ended up with 15 tackles against the Boilermakers alone.
Some people may quibble with my moving Colson down from #2 to #14 in this year's countdown, but that points toward my having a little more confidence in this year's linebacker group. Even though Nikhai Hill-Green transferred to Charlotte after sitting out 2022 due to injury, every other linebacker returns with an additional year of experience, plus Nebraska transfer Ernest Hausmann. Michigan really has three starting linebackers (Colson, Barrett, Hausmann) for two spots, not to mention Jimmy Rolder, who got quite a bit of experience last year. Throw in Micah Pollard and Jaydon Hood, who are both getting some practice buzz, and the Wolverines have a solid group.
Colson should once again be in the running for all-conference and will probably lead the team in tackles, but Michigan finally seems to have some quality depth rather than immediately having to dip into the true freshman - or even redshirt freshman - ranks if there's an injury.
Name: James Turner Height: 6’0″ Weight: 196 lbs. High school: Saline (MI) Saline Position: Kicker Class: Fifth year senior Jersey number: #32 Last year: Turner played at Louisville. He made 20/22 field goals and 38/39 extra point attempts. TTB Rating: N/A
Michigan was spoiled by having Jake Moody kick the ball the past couple years, so last year was thoroughly enjoyable with that guy around. Now he's making important kicks in NFL (pre-season) games.
James Turner is a hometown boy who gets a chance to kick in front of 110,000+ fans after playing his high school ball in Saline. He spent the last four years at Louisville, where he was the starting kicker. He did make a long field goal of 48 yards last season, but generally, the strength of his kicking leg is the question mark. He's accurate, but mostly from short range.
The transfer should be Michigan's starting kicker this fall, and word seeping out of camp suggests that's the case. He's battling with freshman Adam Samaha, while punter/kicker Tommy Doman is probably going to stick with punting and walk-on Hudson Hollenbeck is likely to handle kickoffs. The hope is that Turner can handle some chip-shot field goals if Michigan's offense gets bogged down in the redzone, and . . . well . . . hopefully that's about it. Last-second field goals to win or tie games are about the most gut-wrenching plays in sports, so I don't want any of those. It would be nice if Michigan could just cruise to 15 comfortable victories this season . . .
Name: Colston Loveland Height: 6’5″ Weight: 245 lbs. High school: Gooding (ID) Gooding Position: Tight end Class: Sophomore Jersey number: #18 Last year: I ranked Loveland #77 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He caught 16 passes for 245 yards and 2 touchdowns while starting five games. TTB Rating: 85
Well, I couldn't have been more wrong about Loveland when I put him in the 2022 countdown. I put him at #77 and said he would redshirt, considering the presence of Erick All, Luke Schoonmaker, and others. Of course, it helped him that All got hurt early in the season, but Loveland ended up being the most exciting of all of them, catching a touchdown pass against Ohio State and making a highlight reel, leaping catch against Purdue in the Big Ten championship game.
Loveland's athleticism shined through so much that I've heard some Michigan podcasts and such talking about him as an All-American, which I think is a stretch since Georgia's Brock Bowers is still around. But Loveland is definitely an exciting player, and he has packed on 15 pounds since last season. He can run and he can go up and high-point the ball like a receiver. I would venture to say that he's probably Michigan's most athletic tight end since Devin Funchess, and Funchess went on to play wide receiver in the NFL.
Some might argue that Loveland could be ranked higher, but this is a very talented group - both ahead of him and in the tight end room. Michigan stole Indiana captain and starter A.J. Barner, and they have a couple excellent athletes in Matt Hibner and Marlin Klein waiting in the wings, and there are some walk-ons pushing for time even among all that talent. Still, I expect Loveland to have a very good fall and perhaps be a second- or third-team All-Big Ten player.
Prediction: Starting tight end; 35 catches for 435 yards and 5 touchdowns
Josh Wallace (Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Name: Josh Wallace Height: 6’0″ Weight: 190 lbs. High school: Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha Position: Cornerback Class: Fifth year senior Jersey number: #12 Last year: Wallace played at UMass. He made 41 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 10 pass breakups, and 1 fumble recovery. TTB Rating: N/A
Wallace is a three-time team captain at UMass. Last year he started every game and made 2 interceptions, along with 41 tackles and 10 total pass breakups. A lightly regarded prospect - as most UMass signees are - coming out of high school in 2019, Wallace developed into a starter early in his career. Even though he played all four previous seasons, he had a chance to use his COVID exemption to spend a fifth year either creating more college football memories or making a claim to get a shot in the NFL. Michigan needed cornerback help after losing D.J. Turner II and Gemon Green, so it was a good fit.
My guess is that Wallace will end up starting opposite Will Johnson at cornerback. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter called him a "pro" but I got the sense that he meant that more as a compliment to his work ethic and preparation than his physical skills, which are moderate. He has okay size at 6'0" and 190 pounds, but he's not very swift or quick, which I think is going to be his downfall when trying to succeed in the NFL. I think his toughness and attitude will make him a solid enough player in 2023 to hold off the likes of Amorion Walker and Ja'Den McBurrows for the most part, but they should all get a chance to play. Even if Walker and McBurrows have opportunities, I think it will be helpful to have Wallace as a steady veteran to play or fill in if some of the inexperience shows up.
Name: Braiden McGregor Height: 6’6″ Weight: 267 lbs. High school: Port Huron (MI) Northern Position: Defensive end Class: Redshirt junior Jersey number: #17 Last year: I ranked McGregor #41 and said he would be a backup defensive end (LINK). He made 16 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 2 pass breakups. TTB Rating: 87
McGregor has had a rough go of it for the past few years. He tore up his knee as a senior in high school, sat out the 2020 season, and then just didn't look like himself in 2021. He looked physically underdeveloped in the lower body and just didn't have the speed or athleticism that he showed earlier in high school.
But in 2022 he seemed to get some of his mojo back. While he didn't put up astounding numbers as a backup, he did make some nice plays and rack up 2.5 sacks. He also batted down 2 balls against Ohio State. It's tough to call that kind of performance a true breakout, but it was a mini-breakout season for the Port Huron native.
The 2023 season should be another step forward for McGregor. He has a good chance to start at defensive end, the position Mike Morris and Aidan Hutchinson played before him. Both of those guys had standout seasons, and McGregor is somewhere between the two of them as an athlete - more athletic than Morris, less athletic than Hutchinson, and probably a little less powerful than both. He's actually very close to Hutchinson's size (McGregor is listed at the same height and just two pounds heavier than Hutchinson was as a senior), and my comparison when he came out of high school was Hutchinson.
I don't think McGregor has the same motor as Hutchinson - nor the array of moves - so I would be extremely surprised if he becomes the same sensation. But I do expect a breakout year for him. I would not be surprised if he approaches double digit sacks and looks like a first team all-conference player.
Name: Kenneth Grant Height: 6’3″ Weight: 339 lbs. High school: Merrillville (IN) Merrillville Position: Defensive tackle Class: Sophomore Jersey number: #78 Last year: I ranked Grant #87 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He made 8 tackles. TTB Rating: 85
Instead of redshirting - as your author predicted - Grant played in all fourteen games last year. I thought he would take at least one year to get in shape, but the coaching staff decided to try to play him into shape, even though he was playing at nearly 360 pounds. Things went okay. Freshman defensive tackles rarely turn into immediate stars . . .
. . . unless his name is Mason Graham.
But I digress.
Anyway, Grant didn't even have much of a chance to make a huge impact, because first round draft pick Mazi Smith was starting at nose tackle. That didn't stop Jim Harbaugh from referring to Grant as "a gift from the football gods."
So here we are in 2023, and it's time for Michigan fans to open our present. A second-year player who was #87 last year jumping all the way to #18 might seem a bit odd - especially when he might be a backup to Mason Graham - but I think the nose tackle position could be a huge factor. When Smith was still around, Michigan had a 360 lb. nose tackle as the third guy and a former starter at UCF as the fourth guy. Now it's Graham, Grant, Cam Goode, and then freshmen. I'm not so sure that Goode can hold up in the Big Ten, so if Graham and/or Grant were to go down, I think Michigan might struggle against the good running teams on the schedule, such as Penn State and perhaps an unnamed SEC team that could be a College Football Playoff opponent if Michigan is lucky enough to get that far. Michigan needs to be healthy up front if they have championship aspirations, and Grant could be a big part of reaching that goal.
Name: Makari Paige Height: 6’4″ Weight: 208 lbs. High school: West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield Position: Safety Class: Senior Jersey number: #7 Last year: I ranked Paige #38 and said he would be a backup safety and special teamer (LINK). He started five games and made 41 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups, and 1 quarterback hurry. TTB Rating: 79
Paige had an uphill climb to play safety last year. Not only was fellow safety Rod Moore a fixture in the starting lineup, but R.J. Moten also had played significant time and began the year as Michigan's strong safety. Paige played quite a bit in 2020, but he disappeared a little bit in 2021.
But that uphill climb? Paige climbed it. He started five of the games down the stretch, including against Purdue in the Big Ten championship game. Perhaps his most noteworthy play was the tipped, juggling interception he notched against Ohio State in the waning moments of last season's 45-23 win. Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud tried to float the ball in to a fairly well covered tight end in Cade Stover, and Stover's leaping attempt tipped the ball in the air, leaving it to be corralled by Paige. It snuffed out any hopes Ohio State had of coming back against the Wolverines.
This year Moten saw the writing on the wall and transferred to Florida, even though it looks like he'll be a backup this year for the Gators. That leaves Moore and Paige as the seemingly unquestioned leaders to start at safety, with guys like Quinten Johnson, Zeke Berry, and Keon Sabb backing them up. Johnson is experienced and both Berry and Sabb come with some excitement about their athleticism, so it's a fairly solid situation for the Wolverines. Paige added about eight pounds in the off-season and should be ready to be a little more physical, even though physicality has never really been a problem. He should have a good season and could get drafted after the year if he chooses to leave.
Name: Tommy Doman Height: 6’4″ Weight: 215 lbs. High school: Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s Position: Kicker/Punter Class: Redshirt sophomore Jersey number: #19 Last year: I ranked Doman #44 and said he would be a backup kicker/punter (LINK). He was 2/2 on extra points and punted 1 time for 41 yards. TTB Rating: N/A
Michigan has mostly been very good on special teams since Jim Harbaugh was hired in 2015.
Going into the 2023 season, there are more questions on special teams than in any other year.
Jake Moody and Brad Robbins were selected by the 49ers and the Bengals, respectively, and returner A.J. Henning transferred to Northwestern. That leaves the unproven Doman, freshman Adam Samaha, Louisville transfer James Turner, and redshirt freshman transfer Hudson Hollenbeck to duke it out for kicking duties.
Doman was a highly valued kicking prospect coming out of high school, but he hasn't had much of a shot to show his stuff at the college level. He kicked a couple extra points during blowouts last year, and he punted once, too. The hope is that he can step up rather seamlessly, but Moody and Robbins were both pretty dang good, which is why they both got drafted. My feel is that Doman will end up serving as the punter, and perhaps Hollenbeck can push him a little bit. Doman averaged 44.8 yards per punt as a high school senior, but sometimes those averages are fortified by high school punt returners who are too afraid to touch the ball, so they just let it bounce and roll. If he can replicate that number as a redshirt sophomore in 2023, Michigan should be in decent shape.
Name: La'Darius Henderson Height: 6’4″ Weight: 315 lbs. High school: Waxahachie (TX) Waxahachie Position: Offensive tackle Class: Fifth year senior Jersey number: #73 Last year: Henderson played at Arizona State. He started six games at left guard. TTB Rating: N/A
Henderson started ten games at Arizona State as a freshman, thirteen in 2021, and another six in 2022. He didn't start in 2020 and ended up the 2022 season injured, but otherwise, he's been a starter for his entire career. As a senior in 2022, he was named a team captain but unfortunately got injured. There was some talk that he could have been a first round pick in the NFL Draft, and he was invited to the East West Shrine Game, but he turned it down to spend a year being tutored by Sherrone Moore at Michigan.
We'll see if it pays off for him. He's reportedly in a four-way battle start at tackle, along with Karsen Barnhart, Myles Hinton, and Trente Jones. My assumption all along has been that he will end up starting at left tackle, but Michigan has four starters for two spots. It's odd to think that a potential first round draft pick isn't even really in the top twenty of the most important players at Michigan for the upcoming season, but with the depth the Wolverines have, there are other solid options. Even the fifth offensive tackle - Jeffrey Persi - would probably be starting at several Big Ten schools.
I expect Henderson to win the job at left tackle, and I think the battle will really come down to the right tackle position. Henderson is smart, light on his feet, and can move people. He may not have ideal length for the tackle position - and he's probably a guard at the next level - but we've seen NFL guard types have very good seasons playing tackle for Michigan in recent years, such as Jon Runyan, Jr., Jalen Mayfield, and Ryan Hayes.
Name: Jaylen Harrell Height: 6’4″ Weight: 242 lbs. High school: Tampa (FL) Berkeley Position: Defensive end Class: Senior Jersey number: #32 Last year: I ranked Harrell #31 and said he would be a part-time starting edge (LINK). He started twelve games and made 30 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 pass breakups, and 5 quarterback hurries. TTB Rating: 84
Instead of being a part-time starter, Harrell was essentially a full-time starter in 2022, starting twelve out of fourteen games. He was a pretty consistent player, even though he's not flashy. In a bit of an oddity for his body type, he seems to be better at the run at 242 lbs. and not anything special as a pass rusher. He does occasionally come through with some pressure on the quarterback, and perhaps his best game was the 2-sack performance against Purdue in the Big Ten Championship game.
This year Michigan is down a couple decent pass rushers in Mike Morris (7.5 sacks in 2022) and Eyabi Okie (4.0), who moved on to the Seattle Seahawks and the Charlotte 49ers, respectively. Okie was a pass rush specialist and a backup, but he still played a good-sized role, especially down the stretch. Harrell has a chance to step up his game, but getting after the quarterback is not really his forte. The pass rush will likely come from elsewhere, including defensive end Braiden McGregor and Coastal Carolina transfer Josaiah Stewart. There has been some talk out of camp that Harrell has improved his game this off-season, so we'll see whether he continues to be a steady player or can take the next step.
Name: A.J. Barner Height: 6’6″ Weight: 251 lbs. High school: Aurora (OH) Aurora Position: Tight end Class: Redshirt junior Jersey number: #89 Last year: Barner played at Indiana. He had 28 catches for 199 yards and 3 touchdowns. TTB Rating: N/A
Somewhat ridiculously, Michigan lost four tight ends from last year who played regularly: Erick All (transfer to Iowa), Luke Schoonmaker (drafted by the Cowboys), Joel Honigford (undrafted free agent signed by the Arizona Cardinals), and walk-on Carter Selzer (graduation), the last of whom played in 28 games over the past couple seasons. That doesn't include Louis Hansen, who transferred to UConn.
Also somewhat ridiculously, tight end is still a position of strength for the Wolverines. The top guy is Colston Loveland, but Barner is pushing him, and they should make a good duo. Matt Hibner and Max Bredeson have also played quite a bit, and the fifth guy is 4-star Marlin Klein, whom everyone around the program thinks is a freak athlete.
The interesting thing about Barner is that he's a guy who can play both on and off the line - along with Loveland - so they can be used interchangeably, they can shift and trade, and it won't necessarily tip off defenses. Barner had a decent season for a struggling Indiana Hoosiers team last year and was named a team captain, so the leadership is there. I think it will be tough for any individual receiver (wideout or tight end) to put up great numbers because of the dominant running game that exists, but I think both Barner and Loveland will have some big plays this season because of their length and athleticism. They should be fun to watch.
Prediction: Part-time starting tight end; 20 catches for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns
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Name: Josaiah Stewart Height: 6’1″ Weight: 245 lbs. High school: Everett (MA) Everett Position: Defensive end Class: Junior Jersey number: #5 Last year: Stewart played at Coastal Carolina. He made 36 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pass breakup. TTB Rating: N/A
Stewart was offered by Michigan when he came out of high school in the class of 2021, back when Michigan had a strong connection in New England with then defensive coordinator Don Brown (who is now the head coach at UMass). But for whatever reason, Stewart ended up at Coastal Carolina and exploded as a freshman with 12.5 sacks, which made him First Team All-Sun Belt. His numbers fell off a little bit in 2022, though 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks still make for a decent season.
Stewart transferred to Michigan in the off-season and participated in the spring game. He's a little undersized at 6'1" but I think his play is still going to translate to the Big Ten. He may not rack up 12.5 sacks in a season or be a first team all-conference player, but if Michigan's impressive defensive tackle group can eat up interior blocks and give Stewart one-on-one opportunities against offensive tackles, he's going to win his fair share of battles. I think he will play more than Eyabi Okie, who was a one-year rental last year and now playing for Charlotte. Okie was a pure pass rusher, whereas Stewart should be able to hold up a little better against the run.
Michael Barrett. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Name: Michael Barrett Height: 6’0″ Weight: 239 lbs. High school: Valdosta (GA) Lowndes Position: Linebacker Class: Sixth year senior Jersey number: #23 Last year: I ranked Barrett #28 and said he would be a backup inside linebacker (LINK). He started thirteen games and made 72 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 interceptions (returned for 52 yards and 1 touchdown), and 1 pass breakup. TTB Rating: 82
Barrett has been around for five years already, going into year six. And you would be hard pressed to find a Michigan player who has had a more versatile career for the Wolverines. Barrett has spent at least a little bit of time at running back, slot receiver, safety/linebacker hybrid, inside linebacker, kickoff returner, and upback on the punt team, just to name a few. He has notched a passing attempt (1), rushing attempts (2), kickoff returns (4), tackles (143), sacks (5.5), interceptions (2), a defensive touchdown (1), and even an uncredited lateral that turned into a kickoff return touchdown for A.J. Henning against Maryland in 2021.
In fact, it would be easier to say what he hasn't done: he has zero punt attempts, field goal attempts, extra points attempts, or receptions.
So even though Michigan has a potential early NFL draft entrant at inside linebacker (Junior Colson) and the #4 transfer recruit in the country (Ernest Hausmann), it's hard for me to think Barrett won't be starting for Michigan in his sixth and final year. Barrett doesn't wow too often - though there was that highlight reel hit on Minnesota QB Tanner Morgan in 2020 - but he's such a good all-around athlete and utility man that it's great to have him around. As a coaching staff, it has to be nice to know that he can be asked to do various things on defense and special teams and perform all those tasks admirably. Durability used to be a concern, but he's up to 239 pounds (from 233 last year) and generally holds up pretty well. This should be another solid year for the Georgia native.
P.S. Have I mentioned before that I like former high school quarterbacks?
Prediction: Starting inside linebacker and special teamer; 60 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception
Name: Rayshaun Benny Height: 6’4″ Weight: 296 lbs. High school: Oak Park (MI) Oak Park Position: Defensive tackle Class: Redshirt sophomore Jersey number: #26 Last year: I ranked Benny #40 and said he would be a backup defensive tackle (LINK). He made 13 tackles. TTB Rating: 81
Benny redshirted in 2021, playing in just three games. Last season he became a regular backup on the defensive line, though not heavily used. Mazi Smith, Mason Graham, and Kris Jenkins took up the majority of defensive tackle snaps, and all three shined more than Benny.
But the buzz has been building for Benny, and he seems to have become quicker during his couple years on campus. Despite putting on a few pounds since last year, he looked more athletic in the spring game than he did in his first or second years.
Smith is gone to the NFL, but Graham and Kenneth Grant are likely to take most of the nose tackle snaps. But with Graham likely playing more nose tackle this year, that opens up some more snaps at 3-tech for someone like Benny. He should have a good season, and it will be interesting to watch going into 2024 whether Michigan will aim to start Graham and Grant at the DT and NT positions, respectively, or whether they'll play Benny at 3-tech and use Graham in both places. Those should be three starter-quality players for two spots in 2024.
Name: Karsen Barnhart Height: 6’5″ Weight: 316 lbs. High school: Paw Paw (MI) Paw Paw Position: Offensive tackle Class: Redshirt senior Jersey number: #52 Last year: I ranked Barnhart #26 and said he would be a backup offensive lineman (LINK). He started nine games. TTB Rating: 86
Through four seasons at Michigan, Barnhart has been the Jack-of-all-Trades-iest lineman on Michigan's roster. He has started at left tackle (5 games), left guard (2), and right tackle (8) over the past three seasons, and he has played in relief duty in thirteen games. He even started as the holder on the field goal unit and served as an usher in section 31R at Michigan Stadium.
So it's no surprise that he's guaranteed a starting position in year five.
Or is he?
PLOT TWIST.
Jim Harbaugh loves competition, so he brought in former Stanford starter Myles Hinton and former Arizona State starter La'Darius Henderson to a team brimming with talent already. Now Barnhart is in a battle with Hinton, Henderson, and fellow fifth year senior Trente Jones to start at tackle. Word has been that Henderson will be the likely starter at left tackle, leaving the other three to vie for the role on the right side. I'm giving the starting nod to Barnhart, who has more overall starts (15) than Jones (8). Barnhart seems to be the steadier player, while Jones has some impressive blocks but then some ugly whiffs. Barnhart has also put on about seven pounds since last year, so perhaps that will help him move people a little better.
Name: Derrick Moore Height: 6’3″ Weight: 258 lbs. High school: Baltimore (MD) St. Frances Position: Defensive end Class: Sophomore Jersey number: #8 Last year: I ranked Moore #72 and said he would be a backup defensive end (LINK). He made 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hurries, and 1 pass breakup. TTB Rating: 83
Moore showed up bigger last season than some expected and was listed at 279 pounds. He filled in nicely as a backup defensive end and showed a nice burst despite the extra weight, making 2 total sacks, which is a nice showing for a freshman. His sacks came in mop-up duty against Maryland and Indiana, but they're sacks nonetheless, and he had some impressive stops in the run game, too.
This season Moore is down to a listed 258 pounds, and I have to assume the strength and conditioning staff planned the cut (along with the coaches). Michigan did not generate a ton of pass rush off the edge last season, and leading sacker Mike Morris - who is playing some defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks now - was more of a bull rush specialist. Morris's weight loss may be an attempt by the Wolverines to get a little more explosive when going after the quarterback. I expect Moore to be a backup to Braiden McGregor, and I expect him to start to emerge as a player Michigan fans can get excited about over the next couple years.
Name: Darrius Clemons Height: 6’3″ Weight: 212 lbs. High school: Portland (OR) Westview Position: Wide receiver Class: Sophomore Jersey number: #0 Last year: I ranked Clemons #53 and said he would be a backup wide receiver (LINK). He caught 1 pass for 7 yards while playing in eleven games. TTB Rating: 88
Michigan has had such great success on the ground the past couple seasons that the wide receivers are forgotten about a little bit. And when long-time contributors like Ronnie Bell and Cornelius Johnson lead the way at receiver, the backups don't have much of a chance to shine. So it might be fair to say that Clemons has been a forgotten man for the past year, but he was labeled a freak athlete coming out of high school and had a 40 time in the high 4.3s. His only catch last season came against overmatched UConn, a 7-yard reception.
Michigan returns Johnson and Roman Wilson on the outside, but Clemons could end up as the #3 most targeted receiver. He's more of an outside guy than Tyler Morris (who's just one spot lower in the countdown), but Wilson can be moved all around because of his versatility. Clemons should see plenty of snaps while rotating in, and he might even start a couple games if the coaching staff moves Wilson into the slot. Clemons has added seven pounds since last year and is up to a very respectable 212 lbs., which is four pounds heavier than Johnson and getting into the tantalizing size range of some of the outstanding Michigan receivers of yesteryear (Braylon Edwards, David Terrell, etc.). I don't expect a true breakout season because of Wilson, Johnson, the tight ends, and the running backs standing in the way of the spotlight, but Clemons can stake a claim to be a major contributor in 2024.
