PFF lists Michigan football cornerback as 2024 breakout candidate

One of the reasons people believe that Michigan football has a chance to win the Big Ten championship again this season is a defense that should be one of the best in college football.

The Wolverines have an elite defensive line — one that could feature multiple first-round picks. Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Derrick Moore could each be first-round picks.

Moore seems poised for a breakout season. However, another Michigan football defender was named as a breakout candidate by Pro Football Focus and it’s someone that some fans might not expect.

Ja’Den McBurrows is a breakout candidate in 2024

PFF, it turns out, is really high on Ja’Den McBurrows. They aren’t alone. Mike Sainristil has been talking up McBurrows as a future standout for Michigan football and here’s what PFF wrote about the Wolverines defensive back who could play corner and nickel for U-M this season:

“Michigan’s roster will look a lot different in 2024, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be any less talented. After all, there are plenty of big-time recruits waiting in the wings, especially at defensive back. McBurrows is one of those guys ready to step up and shine. He played 182 snaps last season, finishing with a 73.1 overall grade and a 73.9 coverage grade. In 2023, McBurrows recorded seven solo tackles with no misses and four run stops. He was targeted in coverage 13 times on the year but gave up just five catches for 40 yards, coming away with one interception and two pass breakups.”

PFF isn’t the end-all, be-all. But McBurrows coverage grade is better than you might expect. He’s also proven himself to be a willing tackler. He’ll get a chance to earn more snaps this fall and if PFF is correct in its prediction, that would be great news for the Wolverines.

The Michigan football defense might be even better than expected.

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