4 breakout candidates for Michigan football in 2024

Michigan football is about halfway through spring practices. The spring game is April 20th — just a few weeks away and then the wait for the regular season truly begins.

The next few weeks are going to be important though for Michigan football. There’s plenty of work to do on the field. There might be even more to do off it.

Michigan needs to make sure it survives the spring transfer portal window without any major departures. U-M might also be looking to add a quarterback, wide receiver, or defensive back. As far as a quarterback, it depends a lot on who enters.

Based on the choices available now, I’d say Michigan will stand pat. But things can change quickly and if a proven veteran enters the portal, who is a fit, then go get him. But don’t make a move just to make one.

Alex Orji has had some bright spots this spring. There is some buzz about him, but others are generating buzz too, and here are four breakout candidates — two for each side of the ball.

Frederick Moore, WR

The 6-foot-1 wideout from St. Louis has always been a favorite of mine. I don’t know what his 40 time is, but when the ball is in the air, Frederick Moore finds it and he’s been mentioned by multiple people as a breakout candidate. Roman Wilson talked about him this offseason and Tyler Morris did on Tuesday.

Michigan football doesn’t have that big 6-foot-3 wideout on the roster, but Moore is 6-foot-1. He’s fast too and caught four passes for 32 yards last season in 13 games. The opportunity is there this season for Moore. Semaj Morgan and Tyler Morris are the other top returning wideouts.

I’ll be watching Moore closely during the spring game and his development could determine what kind of moves, if any, Michigan football makes for a pass catcher out of the portal.

Andrew Gentry, OT

It’s easy to forget that Andrew Gentry was a top-100 recruit coming out of high school, but when he signed with BYU, he was No. 88 overall according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. Following his Mormon Mission, Gentry has spent the past two seasons playing for the Wolverines.

Last season, Gentry started to find his old form. He played in 13 games total seeing time at guard and both tackle spots. The 6-foot-7, 337-pounder also saw time on special teams.

This season, Gentry is locked in a tight battle with Jeffrey Persi to be the starting right tackle for Michigan football. Myles Hinton is the favorite to start on the left side. Persi has started at left tackle before and would do well on the right side.

But Gentry has the chance to be elite. Bookend tackles of Hinton and Gentry — both top-100 recruits in high school — could be perfect for the Wolverines as long as they can live up to their potential. I think they will and my prediction is that Hinton/Gentry are the Week 1 starters at tackle.

Jyaire Hill, CB

One of the hot names this spring for Michigan football has been cornerback Jyaire Hill. The four-star recruit in the 2023 class had a limited role last season but is poised to compete for a starting job.

D.J. Waller has been another impressive player at cornerback this spring and it was tough to choose between the two. Hill was ranked higher coming out of high school (No. 194 overall).

There was talk that he wasn’t in the playbook as much as other young defensive backs, but that’s changed. Hill has matured and has always had incredible talent.

At 6-foot-2, 181 pounds, Hill has all the tools to be a dominant man corner. He has stepped up this spring and if that carries over to the fall, I see him starting opposite Will Johnson.

TJ Guy

One of the most positive developments of the spring has been the play of EDGE TJ Guy. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound senior hasn’t played a ton of football for the Wolverines but has played in 21 games the past two seasons. Most of those snaps have been on special teams but he had 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a sack, with the sack coming against Michigan State.

Guy also notched a quarterback hurry. The former three-star recruit looks the part. He was good in short snaps last season and with Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor off the NFL, there is a huge void. Michigan football knows its starters — Derrick Moore and Josaiah Stewart — but you need more than two solid pass rushers. That’s where Guy and Enow Etta, who is playing defensive tackle too — come in.

Maybe Etta could have a role like Mike Morris. He’s 6-foot-5, 295 pounds now, but you need another true EDGE and my money is on Guy to put it all together and get 4-5 sacks in 2024.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms.