Michigan football: previewing the Wolverines’ position groups in 2023

Michigan football is in an excellent position coming off a program record 13-win season in 2022. With Michigan returning a good majority of their starters and production, the Wolverines are expected to not only repeat their success of the past two seasons, but continue to build upon it.

With all the returning production, most of the position groups should be an improvement on last years, still, there are a couple spots in question — not of concern, but of question marks. With key losses — including Ronnie Bell, Mike Morris, Olu Oluwatimi, Mazi Smith, and Jake Moody, and more — there are definitive questions around certain positions.

Here’s a look at each position group ranked by my confidence that they will be highly successful.

Tier 1: Very confident

Nov 19, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) rushes in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

1. Running Backs

The strongest position group on the Michigan football team, in my opinion, is the running backs. After Blake Corum (258 touches, 1543 yards, 6.0 average, 19 touchdowns) and Donovan Edwards (158 touches, 1191 yards, 7.5 average, 9 touchdowns) were arguably the best running back duo in the country in 2022, both are back after Corum announced his return earlier this month.

Even with Corum coming off of knee surgery, many still expect a big season from the senior ball carrier. Meanwhile, Edwards played the best football of his career when given a larger role in Corum’s absence — he ran for 520 rushing yards and three touchdowns across three games.

Who will seperate themselves as the third back is the only real question; the Wolverines have plenty of good options. Between junior Tavierre Dunlap, sophomores CJ Stokes and Isiah Gash, incoming freshman Cole Cabana- the number 10 ranked running back in the 2024 class per 247Sports — plus short yaradage specialist, sometime-linebacker Kalel Mullings.

Expect the running back to be the identity of the team.

2. Quarterbacks

This ranking is a reflection of not only how strong I feel the entire quarterback room is, but mostly due to the expectations that I, and many others, have of returning starting QB JJ McCarthy (64.6 percent, 2719, 22 touchdowns, 5 interceptions). Last season McCarthy became the first quarterback to go undefeated through the regular season as a first year starter in school history, and led the Wolverines to their winningest season in school history.

While McCarthy did have some growing pains in his first season as playcaller, he finished the season playing his best football and was continuing to ascend until the end. Even with the costly pick-sixes against TCU, McCarthy combined for 767 passing yards and 8 passing touchdowns, to go along with 93 yards rushing and another pair of touchdowns with his feet in the last 3 games of the season .

If JJ McCarthy plays in 15 games, the single-season passing records (3331 yards, 25 touchdowns) being broken should be the expectation.

3. Linebacker

The linebacker room is deep and experienced after returning everyone from a season ago, plus an off-season addition via the transfer portal. Headlining the group are the top two returning tackles from a season ago in (junior) Junior Colson (101 tackles, 42 solo) and 5th year senior, Micheal Barrett Jr. (72 tackles, 37 solo). Plus the Wolverines should return redshirt junior Nikhai Hill-Green (50 tackles, 35 solo in 2021), who missed the entire season in 2022 due to injury.

Michigan also landed a massive pickup a few weeks ago in sophomore transfer Earnest Hausman (54 tackles, 36 solo with Nebraska).

The only real question will be who the starting duo is, but between rotations to keep guys fresh and inevitable injuries, expect to see all four play plenty of snaps.

4. Safety

The reasoning behind safety is mostly the same as linebacker, as the room returns all the contributors from a season ago in which the safeties played very well overall. Leading the way will be the junior ball-hawk, Rod Moore (71 tackles, 48 solo, 4 interceptions, 3 pass defends) who lead the team in solo tackles, and finished third in total tackles. Also his 4 interceptions was a team high as well and the most by a Wolverine since Channing Stribling in 2016.

Along with Moore, is seniors Makari Paige (41 tackles, 19 solo, 1 interception, 2 pass defends) and RJ Moten (31 tackles, 30 solo, 1 interception, 1 pass defend) who both have a lot of playing time under the belt. Paige especially came on strong at the end of last season, including securing the victory over the Buckeyes by picking off CJ Strouds final pass at Ohio Stadium.

The Wolverines could also see some new faces this fall, as the rising sophomore trio of Zeke Berry, Keon Saab and Domani Dent will be too good to keep off the field eventually.