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 Draft Scout College Football Player News: Michigan
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  For a second straight year, Michigan's football team enters the offseason with a big problem on its hands along the offensive line. (A good one, of course.) Too many capable players and not enough spots, after adding three veteran starters via the transfer portal during the months of December and January. But the Wolverines kicked off spring practice this week without Arizona State transfer LaDarius Henderson and a slowed Myles Hinton and Drake Nugent, both transfers from Stanford, three players with significant starting experience.

Still, head coach Jim Harbaugh summed up the situation nicely on Thursday, his first meeting with reporters in nearly two months. "A good problem to have, right?," Harbaugh said. "How hard is it going to be to get to five starters? It'll probably be pretty hard - like it was last year when we considered 7-8 guys that were starters." By the end of Michigan's 2022 season, through injury and merit, eight different players started games last year. Only two of them departed for the NFL, leaving six returners, the group of three transfers - and a couple of additional names Harbaugh considers in the mix for playing time. "You look at it now - Karsen Barnhart, Greg Crippen, Trevor Keegan, Gio (El-Hadi), Trente Jones, Zak Zinter, Jeff Persi - I consider them all starters," Harbaugh said. "And then LaDarius Henderson, Drake Nugent, Myles Hinton - all capable. Andrew Gentry is going to be really good. Reece Atteberry is going to be really good. Dom Giuidice has come over and he's been really good from the defensive side." - Ann Arbor News


rSr/2025 OT Myles HintonMichigan
News Source: Ann Arbor News
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  There is no quarterback controversy at Michigan heading into this season as J.J. McCarthy returns from leading the Wolverines to a 13-1 record last fall in his first year as full-time starter. By no means is McCarthy a finished product and will use spring practice to further develop his game under the tutelage of new Michigan quarterback coach Kirk Campbell, who was elevated to the role after one season as an offensive analyst. He replaces Matt Weiss, co-offensive coordinator/QB coach, fired last month amid an ongoing police investigation into alleged computer access crimes. Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy completed 65% of his attempts for 2,719 yards and 22 touchdowns, against five interceptions, last season. He also had 70 carries for 306 yards and five touchdowns. The good news for McCarthy is he actually gets to practice this spring after missing last year while rehabbing a labrum injury in his right (throwing) shoulder. He won the starting job following the second game of the season last fall after Cade McNamara, who helped lead the Wolverines to a 12-2 record that included a Big Ten title in 2021 and a College Football Playoff appearance, started Game 1.

McCarthy led Michigan to the program's first win at Ohio State since 2000, a second Big Ten title and another CFP appearance The junior-to-be completed 65% of his attempts for 2,719 yards and 22 touchdowns, against five interceptions, last season. He also had 70 carries for 306 yards and five touchdowns. "Tremendous physical ability and athletic ability and in every single way that you would want your quarterback," Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said Thursday at a news conference. "The rare thing is that he would sacrifice anything for any player on this team. Personally, he's just so willing to do whatever is best for the team. I would follow him anywhere. Happily. I suggest that all players on our team do the same thing. He's just really, really good at it. "As far as anything you tell him, I mean, any coaching point that you give, he just he absorbs it and will make the correction immediately. It's tremendous." - Detroit News


Jr/2024 QB J.J. McCarthyMichigan
News Source: Detroit News
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  Kris Jenkins is certainly no newcomer to the Wolverines and after weighing his NFL options decided to return to Michigan, an enormous boost at defensive tackle with the departure of Mazi Smith to the NFL. The 6-2, 285-pound Jenkins never has shied away from being vocal and a leader, but now this is his chance, starting in the spring, to take on a bigger leadership role. He was All-Big Ten honorable mention last season after leading the Michigan defensive linemen with 54 tackles and seemed to get better as the season wore on. This is when he starts setting the tone on defense. - Detroit News

Sr/2024 DT Kris JenkinsMichigan
News Source: Detroit News
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  As the Wolverines unofficially kick off the 2023 season this week (they began spring practice on Monday), they'll look to lean on the 6-foot-6, 261-pound McGregor at the edge rusher/outside linebacker position, a vital one these days in college football. Mike Morris, named the Big Ten's defensive lineman of the year in 2022 with a team-high 7 1/2 sacks, has departed. So has impact edge-rusher Eyabi Okie. In a sense, the deck has been cleared for McGregor, who played a limited snap count last season, primarily on third down, whose time is now. He'll likely line up opposite of junior Jaylen Harrell, who emerged as a starting-caliber outside linebacker in 2022 and figures to be a big part of the team's pass-rushing success again this fall.

Michigan's defense ranked top-10 in the country in points and yards allowed last season, an impressive feat given the fact that it was on its third coordinator in as many years. But through a blend of elite play on the back end and an improved situation up the middle, the Wolverines didn't have to rely on the edge to impact games. The group, instead, just had to complement everything else. And it did. While McGregor was able to get name onto the stat sheet (4 1/2 tackles for loss, two sacks), the list was crowded with names who made an impact. The aforementioned Morris and Harrell, middle linebacker Michael Barrett (who is also returning), Okie and defensive tackle Mason Graham, among others. - Ann Arbor News


Sr/2024 DE Braiden McGregorMichigan
News Source: Ann Arbor News
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  Michigan has a gigantic hole to fill up front along the defensive line, with the 6-foot-3, 337-pound Mazi Smith electing to declare for the NFL draft. Luckily for the Wolverines, freshman tackle Mason Graham emerged as a bonafide starter moving forward, so they won't be void of talent. All eyes this spring will be on 6-foot-3, 356-pound Kenneth Grant, who played in 14 games as a true freshman last season. We heard a lot about him, suggesting he was next in line to fill the nose tackle position. Word is that Kris Jenkins, who largely played as an athletic, interior linemen the last couple of years, has bulked up some. Maybe he gets a shot, too. Nonetheless, the Wolverines have plenty of options, and for perhaps the first time in several years, strong depth over the middle of the line. - Ann Arbor News

Jr/2026 DT Kenneth GrantMichigan
News Source: Ann Arbor News
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  Michigan has won back-to-back Joe Moore Awards given to the nation's top offensive line and got a huge boost last season from the transfer portal when Olu Oluwatimi arrived from Virginia and went on to win the Rimington Award as the nation's top center and the Outland as the top interior lineman. The line helped Michigan's run game rank No. 5 nationally in rushing last season averaging 238.9 yards a game, and several starters from that line return - guards Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter, who both strongly considered leaving for the NFL, and right tackles Karsen Barnhart and Trente Jones, who both made starts.

Michigan went to the portal again and added experience in LaDarius Henderson (Arizona State), who likely will replace Ryan Hayes at left tackle; Drake Nugent (Stanford), who is penciled in at center; and Myles Hinton, also from Stanford. They will get significant work in the spring as they adjust to the offense and expect the backups to also get plenty of reps, while Keegan, Zinter, Barnhart and Jones use the time to hone their skills. This will be the first spring that offensive line coach Sherrone Moore will be the offensive coordinator after spend the last two seasons as co-coordinator. - Detroit News


rSr/2024 OT LaDarius HendersonMichigan
News Source: Detroit News
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  The defense lost edge-rush production with the departure of Mike Morris, the Big Ten's Defensive Lineman of the Year last season, who had 7.5 sacks and is preparing for the NFL Draft. Also gone are Taylor Upshaw and Eyabi Okie, but the Wolverines have returning talent at that spot as well as the addition of Coastal Carolina transfer Josaiah Stewart, who had 79 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks and four forced fumbles during his career there. Spring will offer plenty of opportunity for returning edge rushers Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor and Derrick Moore. Harrell had 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, McGregor had five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks and Moore had two sacks. - Detroit News

Sr/2025 OLB Josaiah StewartMichigan
News Source: Detroit News
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  Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh told NCAA investigators in multiple meetings this week that he will not agree to an unethical conduct charge, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday night on condition of anonymity because details of the investigation have not been shared publicly. Michigan announced two weeks ago that it received a notice of allegations from the NCAA that the governing body is looking into potential rules infractions within the football program. The investigation involves impermissible texts and calls - including some by Harbaugh - to high school prospects during part of a pandemic-related dead period for contact with potential recruits.

The NCAA also is looking at whether a member of Michigan's off-field football staff violated rules by doing on-the-field coaching during practice. Harbaugh is accused of not being forthcoming about the potential violations, and the NCAA considers that unethical conduct and a Level I infraction. A text message was sent to Harbaugh on Thursday night, seeking comment. While the football program is dealing with an NCAA investigation, co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss is on leave amid an investigation by university police into a report of computer access crimes over a three-day span last month at the team's training facility. - AP College Football


Sr/2024 RB Blake CorumMichigan
News Source: AP College Football
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  The Michigan football team got more good news Sunday evening, with two more players announcing their intentions to suit up against next season. Wide receiver Cornelius Johnson and linebacker Michael Barrett both said they plan to return in 2023, they announced on social media, injecting more experience (and depth) on both sides of the ball. The decisions came one day before the deadline to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Johnson, a 6-foot-3, 208-pound wideout and the team's No. 2 receiver this past season, was the larger surprise. Sources told MLive before the season that Michigan believed Johnson would declare for the 2023 NFL Draft, but an uneven season likely dampened his draft stock. While he hauled in 32 catches for 499 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games, Johnson's highlight came in the regular-season finale against Ohio State (4 catches, 160 yards, 2 TDs). The Wolverines leaned on their rushing attack for production much of the season, limiting opportunities for their wide array of receivers. Michigan's No. 1 receiver, Ronnie Bell, previously announced plans to declare for the NFL draft. - Ann Arbor News


rSr/2024 WR Cornelius JohnsonMichigan
News Source: Ann Arbor News
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  Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins made official his return to Michigan with an announcement Monday on social media. Jenkins, who had 54 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, posted about his return on the final day when players can declare for the NFL Draft. "It has been my goal, my dream, to leave a legacy at Michigan, to help bring this school to the top, where we belong," Jenkins wrote. Like other starters who announced their return to the Wolverines, Jenkins cited "unfinished business" in his post.

A week ago, leading rusher and consensus All-American Blake Corum, who is recovering from knee surgery, announced his return. Offensive linemen Zak Zinter and Trevor Keegan will be back, as will receiver Cornelius Johnson, linebacker Michael Barrett, and receiver-turned-defensive back Mike Sainristil announced last month his plans to be back. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Jenkins was all-Big Ten honorable mention last season. Michigan was 13-1, won a second straight Big Ten title but lost in the Fiesta Bowl national semifinal. After the game, Jenkins told The Detroit News he planned to return and said there was a bright side to the loss. - Detroit News


Sr/2024 DT Kris JenkinsMichigan
News Source: Detroit News
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  Michigan football has its coach for the 2023 season and beyond: Jim Harbaugh. University of Michigan President Santa Ono sent out a message on Monday afternoon that Harbaugh had personally told him he will come back to Ann Arbor next year, officially putting to bed any worries about his desires to return to the NFL for this hiring cycle. Sources close to the situation have told the Free Press that a contract extension is in the works for Harbaugh that would include a pay raise and a bigger buyout from his contract.

The sources were granted anonymity because they are not at liberty to speak publicly on the ongoing negotiations. Harbaugh has signed a new deal with U-M each of the last two years. The first in 2021 cut his $8 million per year salary in half. Then after the first of two Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff seasons, Harbaugh's new deal was for about $8.34 million a year and a $3 million buyout that decreases by $750,000 each Jan. 11 through the duration of the deal, current set to expire after the 2026 season. - Detroit Free Press


Sr/2024 RB Blake CorumMichigan
News Source: Detroit Free Press
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  The Michigan football team got more good news Sunday evening, with two more players announcing their intentions to suit up against next season. Wide receiver Cornelius Johnson and linebacker Michael Barrett both said they plan to return in 2023, they announced on social media, injecting more experience (and depth) on both sides of the ball. The decisions came one day before the deadline to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Barrett is set to play a sixth year at Michigan after redshirting his freshman season in 2018 and earning an additional year of eligibility for playing through the pandemic season of 2020. He was a third-team all-Big Ten pick of the coaches this year, with Barrett racking up a career-high 72 tackles (five for a loss), 3 1/2 sacks and two interceptions as a middle linebacker. The 6-foot, 233-pound graduate student was recruited to Michigan to play a hybrid linebacker/safety role, "the viper," under former coordinator Don Brown. But changes to the coaching staff and scheme meant changes for Barrett, who was retrofitted into a more traditional role. - Michigan Live


rSr/2024 ILB Michael BarrettMichigan
News Source: Michigan Live
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  Michigan wide receiver Cornelius Johnson, who led the team in touchdown receptions in 2022, will return for his final season this coming fall. Johnson, who announced his return Sunday night on social media, had six touchdowns on 32 receptions for 499 yards, ranking as Michigan's No. 2 wide receiver. Michigan will lose leading wide receiver Ronnie Bell and tight end Luke Schoonmaker, who finished second on the team with 35 receptions. Johnson had his best performance in Michigan's road win against rival Ohio State, recording touchdown receptions of 75 and 69 yards. - ESPN

rSr/2024 WR Cornelius JohnsonMichigan
News Source: ESPN
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  It's a big time for Michigan football repeats: First, back-to-back Big Ten championships, back-to-back College Football Playoff berths and then back-to-back winners of the Joe Moore Award, given to the nation's best offensive line. The Wolverines' chances of hitting the three-peat may have just increased this week. U-M will have offensive linemen Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter back for the 2023 season, increasing the chances of Michigan receiving lofty preseason hype once again. The Wolverines already have running back Blake Courm retuning following his season-ending injury in November, and now the running game gets even stronger.

Michigan's offensive line will lose Olusegun Oluwatimi, the Rimington Award winner as the nation's top center and the Outland Award winner as the nation's top interior lineman, but has added a trio of potential contributors through the transfer portal this winter. Stanford linemen Myles Hinton and Drake Nugent announced their plans to transfer to Ann Arbor in December. The Wolverines also added Arizona State transfer LaDarius Henderson, a captain in 2022 for the Sun Devils, through the portal. - Detroit Free Press


rSr/2025 OT Myles HintonMichigan
News Source: Detroit Free Press
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  01/15/23 - Zak ZinterSr/2024, Michigan + More +

  Michigan football is set to get back another key cog up front on offense. Starting left guard Trevor Keegan, a big part of the Wolverines' Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line last season, announced Thursday plans to return in 2023. In a post on social media, the 6-foot-6, 305-pound lineman said he is "thrilled to get back to work with my teammates and get rolling." "Making it to the NFL has been a dream of mine ever since I picked up a football," Keegan wrote. "With a lot of thought and talking to those closest to me, there is more I want to achieve personally and collectively as a team."

Keegan had been on the fence about leaving; he was a senior in 2022 and just as well declared for the NFL draft like his fellow linemen Ryan Hayes and Olusegun Oluwatimi. Yet, he still has two years of eligibility left after redshirting his freshman season in 2019 and playing through the pandemic-shortened year of 2020. Keegan rose up the depth chart and earned a starting role in 2021, just as Michigan’s offensive line became a bedrock of the offense. He was a shoe-in to start at left guard this past year, and did so in 11 of the Wolverines’ 14 games, missing three due to injury. - Michigan Live


Sr/2024 OG Zak ZinterMichigan
News Source: Michigan Live
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