Michigan football linebacker named an early favorite for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year

The 2023 college football season is right around the corner, and Maize and Blue fans are clamoring about what the coming season may bring for the Wolverines. For Michigan football linebacker Junior Colson, it might spark some major post-season hardware, such as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. According to 247 Sports, Colson is considered an early favorite to be the best defender in the Big Ten.

Going to see a lot more of this from the returning Freshman All-American LB Junior Colson 〽️〽️ pic.twitter.com/48WK36kBU5

— Beat (@michigan_beat) August 8, 2022

Michigan football linebacker Junior Colson trending for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023

Yesterday, 247 Sports released an exclusive list of top candidates for this year’s top Big Ten defender, and Michigan football linebacker Junior Colson was among the names featured. Colson has been a standout player for the Maize and Blue, contributing significantly to their two-straight Big Ten titles.

“A defensive list containing Big Ten players would not be complete without a Michigan Wolverines,” wrote 247’s Raymond Lucas Jr. “Junior Colson earned four conference Defensive Player of the Week honors last year and finished the season ranked fourth in the Big Ten with 101 total tackles. He is the top defensive contributor on a Michigan team that has national title aspirations. Colson is a former four-star prospect and made his way to Michigan as a member of the Class of 2021. He had two sacks last season and could be in for another leap as a junior.”

During the 2021 season, Junior Colson stood out as a freshman, showcasing his talent and becoming one of the top players in the conference. His contributions were also instrumental in Jim Harbaugh’s 8th Michigan football team, which secured a Big Ten title, won a remarkable 13-1 overall record, and earned a College Football Playoff berth in 2022. It was undoubtedly one of the most successful seasons in the program’s history.

Heading into the upcoming fall season, Colson and the rest of the Wolverines are determined to make significant strides. Michigan football has come close to a national title in the past two seasons but has fallen short on both occasions. The 2023 season holds the potential for the Maize and Blue to break through their glass ceiling; to accomplish this, Michigan football linebacker Junior Colson will need to continue his exceptional performance and lead the way for the team.

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