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Michigan football: previewing the Wolverines’ position groups in 2023

How confident should Michigan football fans be in each of the Wolverines’ position groups for the 2023 season?

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Blake Corum, Michigan football, NFL Draft
Oct 29, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) rushes for a touchdown in the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
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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.

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Latest buzz on impressive Michigan football freshman wide receivers

Here is the latest buzz from Schembechler Hall regarding a few rising stars — these Michigan football freshman wideouts are impressive!

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© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Wolverines’ wide receiver corps is led by Roman Wilson — the NCAA’s leader in touchdown catches (6) — and Cornelius Johnson. That said, below these two talented veterans are a number of impressive Michigan football freshman wideouts, who recently earned some high praise from wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy ahead of this weekend’s Big Ten conference opener against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0).

Michigan football freshman wide receivers continue to impress

Unlike the previous two seasons, the Michigan football offense is really starting to air the ball out often this fall. Aside from an unimpressive game against Bowling Green, junior quarterback JJ McCarthy has been dominant this year, which is a trend he hopes to keep up during this week’s matchup against Rutgers.

Ron Bellamy gives the latest ahead of this week’s Big Ten opener

Among this year’s wide receiver corps are a number of Michigan football freshman standouts, who have been turning heads throughout fall camp and even into the first few games of the season. Yesterday, Ron Bellamy — Michigan’s WR coach — gave the latest on these rising star Wolverines.

“They’re doing well,” Ron Bellamy said of the Michigan football freshman wide receivers. “They’re doing well — you can’t treat them like freshmen. I tell them all the time, ‘Whoever we play, they’re not going to look across and say, ‘Oh, this is an 18-year-old freshman here; take it easy on him.’ No, they are going to be attacking like they would any other player.’ That has to be the mindset, and we don’t treat them like freshmen. Those guys are diligent about their craft. That’s the thing I like about them. And that’s why they’re getting opportunities. Those guys are constantly wanting to learn and making sure that they’re dialed in and detailed in everything that we do.”

Keep an eye out for these freshmen when Michigan football takes the field

Ideally, Michigan football won’t need to rely on these freshman wideouts just yet; however, if you start to see names like Semaj Morgan, Fredrick Moore, and others getting some notable in-game reps, don’t be too surprised. From the sound of things, it seems that the Wolverines are confident in many of these rising stars, and are looking to continue developing them into the next generation of elite offensive skill players to wear the Maize and Blue.



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Top analyst has an interesting message for Michigan football fans

Top analyst Joel Klatt has some interesting thoughts about Michigan football heading into the Wolverines’ Big Ten opener this weekend.

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Sep 9, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Roman Wilson (1) celebrates his touchdown against the UNLV Rebels with teammates during the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Last weekend, the Maize and Blue won their third-straight game of the 2023 season, downing the Bowling Green State Falcons by 25 points at home. While JJ McCarthy and the offense struggled, the Wolverines are still undefeated heading into Big Ten conference play this weekend. Still, with Penn State and Ohio State playing great football right now, top college football analyst Joel Klatt has an interesting message for Michigan football fans — he thinks that folks in Ann Arbor should be “antsy” right now.

Joel Klatt has an interesting take for Michigan football fans

Sure, last weekend’s victory over Bowling Green wasn’t pretty; however, Ohio State and Penn State have both seen their fair share of struggles so far this year. In fact, even outside of the Big Ten conference, schools like Texas, Alabama, and even Georgia have not been looking like their usual selves lately. Still, Joel Klatt says that there should be some tension among the Michigan football fanbase due to recent lackluster play during the non-conference slate.

“With what’s going on in the Big Ten East, namely Penn State and Ohio State? I would feel antsy if I were you, Michigan fans,” Joel Klatt explained on his show, ‘The Joel Klatt Show.’ “The one thing that will derail your season faster than anything else is if JJ McCarthy starts to turn the ball over. That’s why I would be antsy.”

“I know you’re going to run the football fine, I really do. I’m pretty confident that the defense is going to play really well. The one unknown is how efficient can JJ (McCarthy) play? Now, he was really good a year ago until late. Obviously, the TCU game (last year’s College Football Playoff semi-final), it got a little bit loose, and guess what? They (Michigan football) lost.”

Thoughts on what Klatt said about the Wolverines heading into Big Ten conference play

Now, I am going to disagree with Joel Klatt a bit here in a few aspects. First off, Michigan football has not proven that it can run the football consistently yet, and the offensive line is yet to mesh. This idea that the rushing attack will be elite this year because it was last year is simply not true — it’s a hard thing to admit, but fans are yet to see the same bruising Wolverines that they did over the past two seasons. Not that it won’t develop, but so far, Michigan is not nearly as dominant on the ground as it was in 2021 and 2022.

Additionally, Klatt said that JJ McCarthy was good in 2022 until late in the season, which is really not that accurate. JJ McCarthy was not seen as a great quarterback until the Ohio State game hit — not to say that fans didn’t see the talent, but he struggled to really get things going consistently until the final three games of the year, including the Wolverines’ CFP loss.

Right now, Michigan football fans should not be too concerned, if you ask me. That said, as the weeks go by and the Penn State and Ohio State matchups get closer, we need to see more from the Wolverines. The fact of the matter is that, with Michigan’s schedule this year, the Maize and Blue can have many shortcomings and still begin the year 9-0 — it’s the final three games that will truly define the 2023 team, so long as they can avoid upset beforehand.


Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Michigan football coach explains what makes Rutgers’ offense dangerous

Michigan football coach Jesse Minter explains what makes Rutgers’ offense so dangerous.

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Michigan football, Jesse Minter, Rutgers, Greg Schiano
Nov 5, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Michael Barrett (23) returns an interception during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are coming to town this weekend to face off against the 2nd-ranked Wolverines for both teams’ Big Ten opener. Both Rutgers and Michigan are 3-0 right now with two of the top defenses in the nation, and on Saturday, Greg Schiano and Jim Harbaugh will clash in a Big Ten matchup for the fourth time. It’s worth noting that, while the Wolverines are undefeated against Rutgers during Harbaugh’s tenure, Schiano has always given the Maize and Blue a close game. Yesterday, second-year Michigan football coach Jesse Minter (DC) explained why the Scarlet Knights’ offense is dangerous.

Michigan football cannot afford to overlook the Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are heading into Big Ten play with their heads held high, boasting a 3-0 record on the season thus far. Perhaps Rutgers’ most impressive victory in quite some time was last weekend’s blowout win over Virginia Tech, which is yet another momentum builder for Greg Schiano heading into Week 4, which will be Jim Harbaugh’s first game in the Big House in over 300 days.

Michigan football coach Jesse Minter explains why Greg Schiano & Co. are so dangerous

According to Jesse Minter, Rutgers has an offense that is physical and methodical, making them a solid Big Ten test for the Wolverines’ top-ranked defense, which recently climbed to No. 1 in the nation after a 31-6 win over Bowling Green.

“Their physicality,” Jesse Minter said yesterday, talking about Rutgers’ offense. “They play a style of football to try to control the clock, gain yards running the football, pretty safe throws in the passing game. A quarterback that adds an element in the rushing attack as well. They’re built how coach Schiano teaches and just as how I would portray probably a longtime super successful defensive coordinator, how his team would be built is how they play right now. And they play a complementary football similar to us.

“I would say where their defense is playing well, their special teams is always really good,” Minter continued. “And then they play complementary football. So even though maybe they don’t score 50, but they’re controlling the clock, they’re getting touchdowns, they’re getting the lead, they’re keeping the lead, they’re able to play pretty conservative and not put themselves in harm’s way. And that formula over the first three games, they’ve been really successful with.”

Michigan football enters this weekend’s game as a 24-point favorite over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Last year, despite being down by a field goal at halftime, the Wolverines put Rutgers to bed on the road, 52-17.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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