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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.

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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 TwitterFacebookand 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_.

FOOTBALL

Former Michigan football star earns massive new contract

This former Michigan football star just got PAID!

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Michigan football, Cesar Ruiz, New Orleans Saints, NFL
Sep 8, 2018; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Karan Higdon (22) rushes behind offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz (51) against the Western Michigan Broncos at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Wolverines’ 2023 season is in full swing, which is exciting for fans, yet even ex-players have been doing well as of late. Ahead of the first week of the NFL season, former Michigan football star turned New Orleans Saints standout — Cesar Ruiz — inked a massive new contract extension, keeping him in the Black and Gold through the 2027 season.

Former Michigan football star is standing out in the NFL

Cesar Ruiz was a standout along the Michigan football offensive line, appearing in 36 games from 2017-2019, 31 of which as a starter. Ruiz was a two-time All-Big Ten selection (2018 and 2019) and a three-year letterman (2017-2019) before becoming a first-round NFL Draft pick following the Wolverines’ 9-4 season in 2019. While Ruiz was not a member of any Big Ten title-winning Michigan football teams, his two years as a full-time starter were still solid — in 2018 and 2019, the Wolverines had two ranked finishes with a 19-7 overall record.

Cesar Ruiz agrees to huge deal with the Saints

Since being picked by the New Orleans Saints, the former Michigan football star has been impressive — enough so that he was recently given a new massive contract extension. Since being picked, Ruiz has made 40 starts for the Saints, appearing in an additional six games as a non-starter.

Cesar Ruiz — now 24 years old — and the Saints agreed on a four-year NFL contract extension worth $44 million; he is now the 6th-highest paid center in the National Football League.



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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FOOTBALL

Michigan football star among top 15 in latest NFL Draft rankings

This Michigan football star is being pinned as a top NFL Draft target for next spring!

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Michigan football star, NFL Draft, Kris Jenkins, Mel Kiper
Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Recently, top NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper (ESPN) released his updated rankings for next spring’s draft. Last year, Mazi Smith, a massive nose tackle and ex-Wolveirne team captain, was picked in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys. Now, Kiper projects another Michigan football star to go in Round 1: defensive tackle and team captain Kris Jenkins.

Michigan football star placed among top 15 in new NFL Draft rankings

Since the start of fall camp this year, Michigan football star defensive tackle Kris Jenkins has been labeled as a “freak” and more — he is known as ‘The Mutant’ around Ann Arbor, and rightfully so. Jenkins, recently named a team captain, has gained even more hype, as Mel Kiper projects him to be a top 15 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Jim Harbaugh has recently stated that he believes the Wolverines will break a long-standing NFL Draft record by surpassing Georgia’s record of players picked, with 20 Wolverines going pro. Harbaugh could be right; in fact, even ESPN supports his claim, though only a few Michigan standouts are currently considered first-round talents.

That said, if Kris Jenkins performs as expected by experts and the Michigan football coaching staff, there is no reason he cannot be a major NFL Draft target next spring.

In Kiper’s newest mock draft, he has Michigan football defensive tackle Kris Jenkins ranked as the No. 15 prospect on the board. Other Wolverines, such as Donovan Edwards, Blake Corum, and JJ McCarthy, have all been mentioned as potential first-rounders as well; however, none of them made the cut in Kiper’s most recent projections.



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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FOOTBALL

NFL draft analyst compares Michigan football RB to former 1st round draft pick

Is Michigan football running back Donovan Edwards a future first rounder?

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Michigan football RB, Donovan Edwards, Jahmyr Gibbs, NFL draft
Dec 3, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards (7) before the Big Ten Championship against the Purdue Boilermakers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Expectations are at an all-time high for Michigan football. A large part of this is that they have the best running back room in all of college football, with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. As the hype builds for the season, talks of the NFL draft are also picking up steam. For Michigan football RB Donovan Edwards, he is even receiving comparisons to one of the best backs in this past draft, Jahmyr Gibbs.

Michigan football RB Donovan Edwards is entering first-round discussions ahead of the 2024 NFL draft

Donovan Edwards is a man amongst boys. Breaking onto the scene in 2023, the rest of the country is officially on notice.

Coming out of high school as a five-star and the No. 2 running back in the country, expectations have been elevated from day one. Luckily for Michigan fans, he has not disappointed.

In two years with the program, without being the full-time starter either year, Edwards has run the ball for 1,165 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, even more impressive might be his receiving numbers.

As a third and second-string running back in the last two seasons, Edwards has helped make his impact felt through the passing game. He’s recorded 465 yards and three touchdowns receiving over his career.

He’s one of the best overall running backs in the country. It’s only natural that he begins receiving comparisons to Jahmyr Gibbs, one of the best pass-catching backs from this past NFL draft.

NFL analyst Trevor Sikkema especially thinks so, saying, “When I look at Donovan Edwards, I think he can be the Jahmyr Gibbs of this upcoming class.”

In his time at Alabama, Jahmyr Gibbs was widely viewed as one of the best receiving backs in the country, NFL or college. While it’s undoubtedly an honor to receive such praise, it begs the question, could Edwards be even better?

Running back Donovan Edwards has some high expectations heading into the 2023 season

Donovan Edwards is about as close to a guarantee to go into the 2024 NFL draft as it gets. What’s shocking about that is he has minimal starting experience in college.

In fact, he won’t even be the starter in 2023 as Blake Corum elected to return for his senior year.

In 2021, Edwards was the third-string running back behind Michigan football legends Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum. Despite being buried on the depth chart, he found a way to make a significant impact thanks to his pass-catching ability.

For the 2022 season, a jump was expected. Haskins was off to the NFL, meaning Edwards would get the bump to second-string. Luckily for Edwards, he made a fantastic decision with his college choice, as coach Jim Harbaugh loves to run the ball.

In turn, Edwards put up major numbers, eclipsing 1,000 yards from scrimmage, despite backing up Corum most of the season.

While Edwards will likely still serve as a backup for the Wolverines in 2023, this shouldn’t matter too much. Many recruiting sites view him as a more impressive NFL draft prospect than Corum.

Big things are on the way for Edwards. He possesses the speed, size and strength to excel at this level and the next. Don’t be surprised to see him take another step forward in 2023 as he prepares to be one of the highest-drafted running backs in 2024.


Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics 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 Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, 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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