I CAN’T DO THIS ANYMORE: WOLVERINES HEAD COACH ANNOUNCED TO THE PUBLIC.
Quarterback: J.J. McCarthy was the one who garnered the spotlight on Sunday, making the decision to forego his final year of eligibility and enter this year’s NFL draft. Makes sense, given Michigan’s national championship and the potential first-round grade waiting on him. Where do the Wolverines turn at QB now? We’ll dive into that more on Wednesday.
Running back: We all knew Blake Corum was leaving after this year despite having another year of eligibility, but Michigan got some welcome news Monday at the position. Backup Donovan Edwards, whose big game against Washington helped propel the Wolverines to a national title, says he’s returning in 2024 — and will be the favorite to win the starting job amid a group that’s expected to include Kalel Mullings, Benjamin Hall and several other scholarship backs.
Tight end: We knew AJ Barner was headed out (he previously committed to the Senior Bowl), leaving Colston Loveland as the top guy next year. Michigan is also set to welcome back Max Bredeson and Matt Hibner, leaving the position in good shape for next season.
Receiver: Cornelius Johnson is off to the NFL, as expected, and so is Roman Wilson after his breakout season leading Michigan in catches (48), receiving yards (789) and receiving TDs (12). Expect Michigan to lean on Loveland, sophomore Semaj Morgan and Tyler Morris next year, while expecting new names to emerge like Karmello English and Fredrick Moore.
Offensive line: Six players with starting experience are on their way out, a group that includes tackles Karsen Barnhart, LaDarius Henderson and Trente Jones, guards Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter, and center Drake Nugent.
That leaves tackle Myles Hinton and Northwestern transfer Josh Priebe (guard) as likely starters next season. Look for Giovanni El-Hadi (guard) and Jeffrey Persi (guard/tackle) to step in too, and Greg Crippen and Raheem Anderson to battle it out for center.
Defensive line: Michigan lost three starters up front but will look to reload. Tackle Kris Jenkins and edge rushers Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor have departed, but depth at both positions should leave the Wolverines in decent shape for 2024. Rayshaun Benny, Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant will take over at tackle, while Derrick Moore and former Coastal Carolina transfer Josaiah Stewart will assume first-team reps on the edge. Depth will be a key offseason question; it helped make the unit so effective at getting to the quarterback.
Linebacker: Starters Michael Barrett and Junior Colson are off to the pros, as expected, leaving former Nebraska transfer Ernest Hausmann and Maryland transfer Jaishawn Barham as the likely starters heading into next season. Look for Jaydon Hood, Micah Pollard and Jimmy Rolder to push for playing time inside, too.
Defensive back: Michigan lost just two starters to the NFL, cornerback Josh Wallace and nickel Mike Sainrisitl, leaving the unit largely intact heading into 2024. Corner Will Johnson is still a year shy of being draft eligible, while safeties Rod Moore and Makari Paige elected to return for another year. Look for junior Keon Sabb to slide into Sainristil’s old nickel role, but Michigan has a serious question mark at the other corner spot? Could it be time for Ja’Den McBurrows? Myles Pollard?
