Michigan football: previewing the Wolverines’ position groups in 2023

Tier 3: Confident, but new faces bring possible doubts

Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson (14) runs against TCU during the second half at the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022.

8. Cornerback

It’s tough to rank cornerback so low, being that returning sophomore Will Johnson (27 tackles, 25 solo, 3 interceptions, 3 pass defends) could potentially be the best player on the defense. He’s that good, and we saw it at the tail end of the season last year, going against some of the best wide receivers in the nation.

The Wolverines are also set to return graduate senior, nickelback Mike Sainristril (58 tackles, 38 solo, 6.5 tackle for loss, 2 sacks, 1 interception), who after made the switch to the defensive side of the ball, excelled last season as the Wolverines ‘utility knife’. Expect strong seasons once again form both guys, but after them it’s all question marks after the departure of multiple year starters DJ Turner and Gemon Green.

Michigan football returns senior Jalen Perry, junior Ja’Den McBurrows, sophomores Micah Pollard and Kody Jones. The Wolverines also bring in true freshman Jyaire Hill, Cameron Calhoun and D’Juan Waller Jr. Who emerges as the other contributing corners will be one of the more interesting position battles this spring and summer.

There’s also the possibility that Harbaugh looks to the transfer portal to fill the need.

9. Wide Receiver

The wide receiver room took a major blow this offseason, losing Ronnie Bell to the NFL draft. Bell lead the team in receiving in three of his four seasons while healthy (2019, 2020, 2022) and his 62 catches and 889 receiving yards were both nearly double second places. Bell is arguably the biggest loss on the team, and raises an array of questions about who will step up in his absence. The Wolverines did catch a break when second leading receiver, Cornelius Johnson (32 catches, 499 yards, 6 touchdowns) announced he’d return for his graduate season. Johnson led the team in receiving in 2021, when Bell missed nearly the entire season due to injury.

Along with Johnson, returns senior Roman Wilson (25 catches, 376 yards, 4 touchdowns), who was tied for second on the team in receiving touchdowns in 2022. Besides them, the returning production falls of quite a bit, as senior AJ Henning has just 25 career catches, but seemingly untapped potential.

We’ve seen very little of junior Christian Dixon, and sophomores Amorion Walker, Darrius Clemons and Tyler Morris and the Wolverines bring in a trio of true freshman in Karmello English, Samaj Morgan and Fredrick Moore.

Time for some of the young guys to step up for Michigan football, who exactly remains to be seen.

10. Kicker/Punter

Michigan is losing senior duo of Jake Moody and Brad Robbins; after years of great play, the Wolverines are tasked with replacing both specialties.

Look no further than Tommy Doman, possibly for both spots. Doman, a junior with the size to handle both positions (6-5, 190 lbs), appeared in 4 games last season, making all 4 extra points attempted. Michigan football also brings in the number one ranked kicker in the nation out of high school, Adam Samaha, who will compete with Doman for the place kicking duties.

Regardless of how it plays out, whoever ends up kicking has massive shoes to fill, as the outgoing Moody is the only Lou Groza award winner, and very likely the greatest kicker in Michigan football history.

All you can hope for is a smooth transition.

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