Michigan football: previewing the Wolverines’ position groups in 2023

Tier 2: Overwhelming confident, but questions remain

Michigan tight end Colston Loveland warms up before the game Nov. 26, 2022 against Ohio State at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.

5. Offensive line

This is a ranking that I most likely look back at and laugh as Michigan is returning four starter-level guys, after both Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter announced their intent to return for one more season, to go along with Trente Jones and Karsan Barnhart. Add to that the fact Michigan brought on three offensive lineman via the portal: 5th year senior tackle LaDarius Henderson from Arizona State, 5th year senior center Drake Nougent and senior tackle Myles Hinton both from Stanford.

Michigan football is very likely to trot out five seniors, four of them graduate seniors, for the first game of the season, which of course speaks to the experience of this group. These guys have played a lot of football. But not necessarily a lot of football together and questions persist to how they will fare together.

Losing multiple year stater in left tackle Ryan Hayes and Rimington and Outland trophies winner Olu Oluwatimi in the middle shouldn’t be underestimated. Plus new questions have risen since former offensive coordinator Matt Wiess’ firing, including if that means a larger role for offensive line coach Sherrone Moore. After back-to-back Joe Moore award winning seasons for the best offensive line in the country, could this unit take a step back in 2023?

Depends on which five win the starting job and how well they play together as a unit.

6. Tight End

Even with the losses of Luke Schoonmaker (NFL draft), Erick All (Iowa) and Louis Hansen (transfer portal), the tight end room has the potential to be as strong as its ever been under Jim Harbaugh. Those might be strong words considering the talent that’s played the position under Harbaugh, but I think it’s possible due to the talent in returning sophomore Colston Loveland (13 catches, 235 yards, 2 touchdowns). While a small sample size, fans saw Loveland’s potential in the second half of the season, including one of the best catches of the season-a 25 yard strike in which Loveland went over 2 defenders for the ball- in the victory over Purdue in the Big Ten title game.

Like ofeensive line and linebacker, Michigan football also dipped its toes in the transfer portal for senior AJ Barner (28 catches, 199 yards, 3 touchdowns with Indiana in ’22). Barner’s tape looked impressive, and in a better passing system surrounded by more weapons with an elite quarterback, Barner should flourish. Max Bredeson makes for a great blocking tight end who can catch the ball in a pinch as well.

I feel very strongly about this group, but it’s still some fresh faces and the ranking reflects that.

7. Defensive Line

Michigan football lost it’s two best players in the unit, seniors Mazi Smith and Big Ten defensive lineman of the year Mike Morris. The duo combined for 71 tackles (40 solo), 13.5 tackles for loss and 8 sacks. Morris led the team in both sacks and tackle for loss, and was the only guy who consistently put pressure on the quarterback all season. Smith drew double teams and ate up a lot of realty in the middle of the line. These are both big losses for Michigan football.

Added to that is the departure of Eyabi Okie (Charlotte) and Taylor Upshaw (Colorado) and Michigan is suddenly down quite a bit of production. Okie was second on the team in sacks this past season and was expected to be the number one pass rusher this coming fall. Upshaw is an experienced piece that also adds depth and comes up with big plays, like the interception at Ohio State.

Luckily, Michigan football still returns key pieces from the 2022 unit, headlined by senior Kris Jenkins (54 tackles, 29 solo, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks), who finished 5th on the team in tackles, and sophomore Mason Graham (27 tackles, 14 solo, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks) in the middle. Graham started all 14 games as a true freshman and more than held his own. Expect increased roles for junior Rashaun Benny and sophomore Kenneth Grant as well.

The edge two deep will be some combination of sernior’s Jaylen Harrell (30 tackles, 19 solo, 7.5 tackle for loss, 3.5 sacks) and Braiden McGregor (17 tackles, 9 solo, 5 tackle for loss, 2 sacks), sophomore Derrick Moore (8 tackles, 2 sacks) and junior transfer Josiah Stewart (36 tackles, 10 tackle for loss, 3.5 sacks with Coastal Carolina in 2021).