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Seven former Wolverines still in the hunt for a Super Bowl ring

Michigan football will have yet another Super Bowl Champion in just three weeks.

Published

2 months ago

January 25, 2023

Nov 20, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Daxton Hill (30) rushes during the first halfagainst the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Super Bowl LVII Champion will be crowned in less than three weeks. In what seems like a yearly occurrence, a former Michigan football player will be joining the celebration as all four remaining teams in the NFL playoffs have at least one former Wolverine on their team.

Two former Michigan football players were named Super Bowl Champions just one season ago. Defensive backs David Long Jr. and Blake Countess were each a part of the eventual champion Los Angeles Rams and could join in on the party.

This season we will be seeing yet another Wolverine turned Super Bowl Champion. The San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, and Philadelphia Eagles have a former Michigan football player on their roster.

Ambry Thomas (San Francisco 49ers)

Cornerback Ambry Thomas hasn’t seen game-time action since the 49ers’ win over the Washington Commanders on December 24. Still, Despite this, Thomas has seen a slight uptick in playing time as he saw the field in 15 games this year compared to just 12 one season ago.

It’s unlikely he’ll see much action for the remainder of the season, but Thomas made a solid impact in limited minutes throughout the 2022 football season. Thomas recorded 13 total tackles on the year in 15 games.

Frank Clark (Kansas City Chiefs)

The 29-year-old defensive end Frank Clark has already won one Super Bowl with the Chiefs, and he’ll, without a doubt, be looking to win another in 2023. Clark made a significant impact in their last game versus the Jaguars, recording three tackles and one sack as the Chiefs snuck into the AFC Championship.

Clark has been a consistent piece of this Kansas City defense as he recorded his third season with five or more sacks. He will be a big part of it if the Chiefs are to make another push at the Super Bowl as they did in 2020.

Mike Danna (Kansas City Chiefs)

Third-year defensive end for the Chiefs, Mike Danna, has improved every year since joining the franchise. While he didn’t record any major stats in his most recent game versus the Jaguars, he has five total sacks on the year, an improvement from each of his previous two seasons in the NFL.

Whether Danna gets significant playing time in the next few games is to be seen, but this is not his first Super Bowl push. He and fellow former Wolverine Frank Clark will be ready when his number gets called.

Chad Henne (Kansas City Chiefs)

For many Michigan football fans, quarterback Chad Henne was the star of the show this past Saturday. Starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes went to the sideline with a lower-body injury, and former Michigan football star Henne was ready for his moment. He would throw the ball seven times for 23 yards and a touchdown, capping off a beautiful 99-yard touchdown drive.

Henne has been with the Chiefs since 2018 and has proven to be an excellent backup whenever the need arises. If Mahomes can’t stay healthy, the Chiefs will need to go to Henne once again, and he has proven that he is more than up to the challenge.

Brandon Graham (Philadelphia Eagles)

Defensive end Brandon Graham is a timeless veteran who continues to improve as he gets older. In his 13th season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Graham has a career-high in sacks in a season, recording 11 on the year. While his snap count has dropped over the years, he clearly still can make big plays for his team and is a significant part of the Eagles’ phenomenal season thus far.

If the 34-year-old Graham hopes to win his second career Super Bowl, he’ll need to keep up his big-time season. He recorded two tackles and one sack in his most recent game against the New York Giants, so he’ll need to keep up that productivity if the Eagles hope to keep moving.

Chris Evans (Cincinnati Bengals)

Running back Chris Evans has seen a slight decrease in snaps in his second season with the Bengals, but when given the opportunity, he has more than flashed what he can do. His drop in playing time is likely due to how deep the Bengals’ running backs are, but Evans is a more than capable pass catcher, which always brings in the potential for a big play.

Evans has one touchdown on the year, and I’m sure he’s antsy to get to his second Super Bowl in as many seasons. He has not recorded any major stats since early December, but you must stay ready in a league like the NFL, as your opportunity could be right around the corner.

Daxton Hill (Cincinnati Bengals)

The do it all defensive back, Daxton Hill, is going to be a star in this league. He just hasn’t quite had his opportunity yet. Still, Hill has been phenomenal on special teams and, in limited snaps, was still able to record 16 tackles on the year.

After recording one assisted tackle in the Bengals’ most recent game against the Bills, Hill can ride that momentum into his next game or two. The Bengals are, without a doubt, hoping to reach the Super Bowl for the second year in a row, and if they can, Hill would be the second Wolverine in as many years to make the big game in their rookie season.

Both the AFC and NFC Championship games are coming up this Sunday as the 49ers face off against the Eagles at 3:00 p.m. EST, while the Bengals will play the Chiefs at 5:30 p.m. EST. Ultimately, the goal is to make the Super Bowl, and no matter who it be, Michigan fans will, without a doubt, be excited to watch some former Wolverines compete for the most significant trophy in football.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com or DM him on Twitter, @CJsWrld_.

Related Topics:49ers Bengals Chiefs Eagles Football Michigan NFL Super Bowl Wolverines

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Ohio State player takes shot at Michigan football at NFL Combine

A former All-Big Ten Buckeye had some choice words about the Wolverines during the combine.

Published

3 weeks ago

March 5, 2023

CJ Mangum

Nov 27, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Cornelius Johnson (6) runs the ball in for a touchdown defended by Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Cameron Brown (26) at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

There has been plenty of talk about the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry this week throughout the NFL Combine. The top athletes from Ohio State and Michigan football are showing off and showing out, and with that, there have been quite a few questions about ‘The Game’ from reporters. During the combine, former Ohio State cornerback Cameron Brown had some words for the Wolverines.

What did Brown say about Michigan football?

First off, Buckeye corner Cameron Brown claimed that he has had “No issue” with the Wolverines that he has seen during the combine workouts. Still, he followed it up with a shot at Michigan football:

[Michigan football players] can’t talk to me much,” Brown said with the implication that the Wolverines aren’t on his level. “[Michigan] won two games in the last 15,” Brown said, “They got it. They can have that.” According to Cleveland.com, Brown said that watching Michigan celebrate both wins like it had won something bigger than one game – parading around the field, planting their flag at midfield in Columbus – struck him as funny.

It is notable to point out that Cameron Brown will leave Ohio State with a losing record against Michigan football as a starter, and his last game in ‘The Shoe’ was a 45-23 beat down at the hands of Harbaugh’s Wolverines.

Michigan, Ohio State players appear to be getting along fine

Throughout the week, former Buckeyes and Wolverines have had shockingly kind words of one another at the combine. Former Michigan football standout Mike Morris had nothing but good things to say about a few of the Buckeyes that he had met, and the same was true of Ohio State players with some Wolverines. Things aren’t getting too chummy, but there may be a little hope that Wolverines and Buckeyes can get along.

For now, the rivalry can be settled on the field, just as Michigan football has done in blowout fashion for the past two years.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor 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 steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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WATCH: Ronnie Bell has insane one-handed catch at combine

Does this look familiar or what, Michigan fans?

Published

3 weeks ago

March 5, 2023

CJ Mangum

Does this look familiar, Michigan football fans? It should, because once again, former Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Ronnie Bell is turning heads on the biggest stage. During Bell’s combine performance on Saturday, he somehow snagged a ball out of the air with one hand after slipping up — it was arguably the most impressive moment of the day in front of the NFL’s top scouts.

Ronnie Bell snags ball one-handed

Here is the clip of Bell’s catch:

Nice little one-hander from @UMichFootball WR Ronnie Bell. 🖐️

📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/BC8ezTZzLS

— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2023

This is a familiar sight for Michigan fans

All Michigan football fans should not be surprised at Bell’s catch, after all, he did the exact same thing (in a game) against Western Michigan in 2021. Sadly, that catch was called back, so Bell followed it up with an incredible 76-yard touchdown grab soon after.

Now, Bell is in front of the nation’s top scouts trying to make an impression on his draft stock ahead of this year’s NFL Draft in April. He will need more than just one impressive catch at the combine; however, this is a good start — as many know, Bell is an incredible receiver with great hands, speed, and plenty of heart. No matter where he ends up, we’re confident that Bell will make an immediate splash in the National Football League this fall.

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Michigan football likely won’t have a first round draft pick in 2023

Of the nine Michigan Wolverines heading to this year’s NFL Draft, none are projected higher than mid-2nd round.

Published

1 month ago

February 16, 2023

CJ Mangum

Oct 2, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Chase Wolf (2) is sacked by Michigan Wolverines linebacker David Ojabo (55) and defensive end Mike Morris (90) during the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Well, it’s that time of year again — the NFL Draft is fast approaching and much of the talent that made the 2022 college football season fun is preparing to make the jump to the next level. Michigan football is no stranger to this time of year, U-M holds the longest NFL Draft streak in the nation, though the Wolverines usually expect to have at least one of its star players go in the first round.

This year may be an exception to that, which is especially odd considering the fact that Michigan football won a Big Ten Championship a season ago and finished with a 13-1 record; in fact, the season before, the Michigan Wolverines saw similar success, going 12-2 and winning the Big Ten title. It’s an odd phenomenon, but don’t expect a ‘Michigan Man’ to get his name called on day one of the NFL Draft.

Who is Michigan football putting in the draft?

Despite having zero projected first rounders in this year’s NFL Draft, the Wolverines are putting the most talent into the league of any team in the conference. Michigan leads the Big Ten with nine players heading to the NFL Combine before the draft, though there is a chance that not all nine are picked up immediately, and may have to wait until after the draft to sign with a team.

Here are the nine Michigan Wolverines looking to make an NFL roster:

Ronnie Bell, WR
Ryan Hayes, OL

Jake Moody, K
Olu Oluwatimi, OL
Mazi Smith, DL

Mike Morris, DE
Brad Robbins, P
Luke Schoonmaker, TE

DJ Turner, DB

Of these Wolverines, only one is projected to be drafted within the first two rounds of the NFL Draft: Mazi Smith. In fairness, some of this has to do with positional value — Robbins and Moody would be far higher on some mock drafts if punters and kickers were as valuable as running backs and wide outs.

Only one Wolverine projected to go in second round

According to NFL.com’s most recent 3-round mock draft, Mazi Smith is the first Wolverine off the board, going No. 42 overall to the Cleveland Browns. There, he would join former Michigan legends Donovan Peoples-Jones and Chase Winovich.

After Smith, the next Michigan football alum off the board is Mike Morris, who is projected to go at No. 179 overall to the Indianapolis Colts — this would be a great fit for Smith, who is used to playing in Indy from his days as a Wolverine. The other seven Wolverines are all projected to go after the third round.