Regular Season in the books, who are your MVPs?
Preface, MVP criteria aren't simply the best player, but the player whose absence/presence vs. the alternative, makes the most difference for the team.
Offense: Corum is the easy pick, but, seeing Edwards yesterday, it's crazy to think how well the team can play without him. Makes me go to either JJ or Olu, as players whose presence made a ton of difference v. their backups. I'm going with Olu. What an incredible find and just makes the engine run. Calls never get messed up and the OL is so incredibly organized. With Zinter and Keegan, we're just a cut away from a home run on a ridiculous number of plays, and that is the heart of the offense, and, fittingly, was the dagger for OSU and their heavy wager on run blitzing. Olu made the key block on both of those coffin nail runs.
Defense: This is tough, but a couple of his plays yesterday make me give it to Sainristil. When he broke up that end zone play I breathed an incredible sigh of relief and thought there was very little chance we could lose in regulation after that. He also stopped the first down pass on that red-zone stand and OSU's 3rd and 3 pitch attempt earlier leading 3rd Base to punt. Replacing Dax Hill was an enormous and often unsung loss given the loss of Hutch and Ojabo. But, over and over, with his incredible football instincts, quickness, and doggedness, I'm going with Mikey. That end zone breakup finally trigger my realization as to exactly what makes him so good, and it's timing. The guy has incredible timing, incredible high-speed football brain. Really hoping he stays for next year (Harbaugh asked him to in the post-game press conference)
Special teams: Only one nominee here, and nothing to discuss. Not sure how we replace the best K in UM history. Imagine if he'd have drilled that 57 yarder.
November 27th, 2022 at 2:24 PM ^
Offense: O Line and Blake Corum
Defense: Mike Sainristil
and Jake Moody
November 27th, 2022 at 2:34 PM ^
Moody
corum
jj
sainristil
November 27th, 2022 at 2:37 PM ^
I can't agree with this more, so you get an upvote.
November 27th, 2022 at 3:03 PM ^
Same here so you both get upvotes !
November 27th, 2022 at 2:35 PM ^
0
Darrius Clemons Fr. Portland, Oregon Westview Darrius Clemons
DB/WR 5'10" 182
0
Mike Sainristil Sr. Everett, Mass. Everett Mike Sainristil
WR 6'2" 190
1
Andrel Anthony So. Lansing, Mich. East Lansing Andrel Anthony
DB 5'11" 206
1
Ja'Den McBurrows So. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. St. Thomas Aquinas Ja'Den McBurrows
RB 5'8" 210
2
Blake Corum Jr. Marshall, Va. St. Frances Academy Blake Corum
DB 6'2" 194
2
Will Johnson Fr. Detroit, Mich. Grosse Pointe South Will Johnson
WR 5'10" 185
3
A.J. Henning Jr. Frankfort, Ill. Lincoln-Way East A.J. Henning
DB 6'1" 208
3
Keon Sabb Fr. Glassboro, N.J. IMG Academy Keon Sabb
EDGE 6'2" 202
4
Micah Pollard Fr. Jacksonville, Fla. Bartram Trail Micah Pollard
WR 6'3" 180
4
Amorion Walker Fr. Ponchatoula, La. Ponchatoula Amorion Walker
QB 6'3" 225
5
Brandon Mann Fr. Franklin, Mich. Detroit Country Day Brandon Mann
DB 6'0" 180
5
DJ Turner Sr. Suwanee, Ga. IMG Academy DJ Turner
WR 6'3" 208
6
Cornelius Johnson Sr. Greenwich, Conn. Brunswick School Cornelius Johnson
DB 6'0" 223
6
R.J. Moten Jr. Delran, N.J. Delran R.J. Moten
RB 6'1" 204
7
Donovan Edwards So. West Bloomfield, Mich. West Bloomfield Donovan Edwards
DB 6'4" 200
7
Makari Paige Jr. West Bloomfield, Mich. West Bloomfield Makari Paige
WR 6'0" 190
8
Ronnie Bell Gr. Kansas City, Mo. Park Hill Ronnie Bell
EDGE 6'3" 279
8
Derrick Moore Fr. Baltimore, Md. St. Frances Academy Derrick Moore
DB 5'11" 196
9
Damani Dent Fr. Jacksonville, Fla. Terry Parker Damani Dent
QB 6'3" 196
9
J.J. McCarthy So. La Grange Park, Ill. Nazareth Academy/IMG Academy J.J. McCarthy
DB 5'11" 197
10
Zeke Berry Fr. Pittsburg, Calif. De La Salle Zeke Berry
QB 6'3" 235
10
Alex Orji Fr. Sachse, Texas Sachse Alex Orji
DB 5'11" 193
12
Kody Jones Fr. Memphis, Tenn. Germantown Kody Jones
QB 6'1" 206
12
Cade McNamara Gr. Reno, Nev. Damonte Ranch Cade McNamara
K 6'1" 210
13
Jake Moody Gr. Northville, Mich. Northville Jake Moody
WR 5'11" 185
13
Tyler Morris Fr. Bolingbrook, Ill. Nazareth Academy Tyler Morris
QB 6'5" 238
14
Jayden Denegal Fr. Apple Valley, Calif. Apple Valley Jayden Denegal
WR 6'0" 185
14
Roman Wilson Jr. Honolulu, Hawaii St. Louis Roman Wilson
QB 6'3" 217
15
Alan Bowman Gr. Grapevine, Texas Grapevine Alan Bowman
LB 6'1" 231
15
Deuce Spurlock Fr. Madison, Ala. Madison Academy Deuce Spurlock
QB 6'2" 195
16
Davis Warren So. Los Angeles, Calif. Loyola/Suffield Academy Davis Warren
TE 6'6" 245
17
Marlin Klein Fr. Cologne, Germany Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Marlin Klein
EDGE 6'6" 261
17
Braiden McGregor Jr. Port Huron, Mich. Port Huron Northern Braiden McGregor
TE 6'5" 237
18
Colston Loveland Fr. Gooding, Idaho Gooding Colston Loveland
EDGE 6'5" 244
18
Eyabi Okie Gr. Baltimore, Md. St. Frances Academy Eyabi Okie
K/P 6'4" 208
19
Tommy Doman So. West Bloomfield, Mich. Orchard Lake St. Mary's Tommy Doman
DB 6'0" 185
19
Rod Moore So. Clayton, Ohio Northmont Rod Moore
QB 6'4" 225
20
Andy Maddox Sr. Prairie Village, Kan. Shawnee Mission East Andy Maddox
LB 6'2" 232
20
Kalel Mullings Jr. West Roxbury, Mass. Milton Academy Kalel Mullings
RB 6'0" 217
22
Tavierre Dunlap So. Del Valle, Texas Del Valle Tavierre Dunlap
DB 6'2" 186
22
Gemon Green Gr. DeSoto, Texas DeSoto Gemon Green
LB 6'0" 233
23
Michael Barrett Gr. Valdosta, Ga. Lowndes Michael Barrett
RB 5'10" 196
23
CJ Stokes Fr. Columbia, S.C. Hammond School CJ Stokes
QB 6'2" 169
24
Declan Byle Fr. Novi, Mich. Catholic Central Declan Byle
DB 6'1" 191
24
Myles Pollard Fr. Brentwood, Tenn. Ravenwood Myles Pollard
LB 6'3" 235
25
Junior Colson So. Brentwood, Tenn. Ravenwood Junior Colson
WR 6'1" 186
25
Zach Peterson Gr. Roswell, Ga. Wesleyan Zach Peterson
DL 6'4" 292
26
Rayshaun Benny So. Detroit, Mich. Oak Park Rayshaun Benny
WR 6'1" 190
26
Jake Thaw Jr. Westport, Conn. Staples Jake Thaw
WR 6'0" 187
27
Christian BartholomewJr. Galesburg, Mich. Kalamazoo United Christian Bartholomew
EDGE 6'3" 231
27
Tyler McLaurin So. Bolingbrook, Ill. Bolingbrook Tyler McLaurin
DB 5'11" 202
28
Quinten Johnson Gr. Silver Spring, Md. St. John's College Quinten Johnson
DB 5'10" 190
28
Joshua Nichols Fr. Detroit, Mich. Renaissance Joshua Nichols
K/P 5'11" 188
29
Rhett Andersen Gr. Poquoson, Va. Poquoson/Hampden-Sydney Rhett Andersen
LB 6'0" 225
29
Joey Velazquez Sr. Columbus, Ohio St. Francis De Sales Joey Velazquez
WR 6'0" 200
30
Will Rolapp Jr. Darien, Conn. Suffield Academy Will Rolapp
LB 6'2" 228
30
Jimmy Rolder Fr. Orland Park, Ill. Marist Jimmy Rolder
RB 5'9" 187
31
Nico Andrighetto Fr. Mountain View, Calif. Saint Francis Nico Andrighetto
DB 6'0" 190
31
Jalen Perry Gr. Dacula, Ga. Dacula Jalen Perry
EDGE 6'4" 246
32
Jaylen Harrell Jr. Tampa, Fla. Berkeley Prep Jaylen Harrell
DB 6'2" 187
33
German Green Gr. DeSoto, Texas DeSoto German Green
RB 5'9" 200
34
Leon Franklin Sr. Southfield, Mich. Southfield A&T Leon Franklin
LB 6'1" 217
34
Jaydon Hood So. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. St. Thomas Aquinas Jaydon Hood
WR 6'2" 192
35
Logan Forbes Fr. Clarkston, Mich. Clarkston Logan Forbes
DB 5'10" 195
35
Caden Kolesar Sr. Westlake, Ohio St. Edward Caden Kolesar
DB 5'11" 190
36
Keshaun Harris Sr. Lansing, Mich. Waverly Keshaun Harris
DB 5'10" 185
37
Jahre Fish Gr. Washington, D.C. St. Frances Academy Jahre Fish
RB 6'0" 205
37
Danny Hughes Sr. Naperville, Ill. Naperville Central Danny Hughes
DB 5'11" 185
38
Bryce Wilcox Fr. Sharpsburg, Ga. Trinity Christian Bryce Wilcox
LB 6'1" 218
39
Joel Metzger So. Battle Creek, Mich. Lakeview Joel Metzger
WR 5'10" 185
39
Joe Taylor So. Chelsea, Mich. Chelsea Joe Taylor
TE 6'5" 242
40
Josh Beetham Jr. Yorkville, Ill. Yorkville Josh Beetham
LB 6'0" 217
40
Christian Boivin So. Traverse City, Mich. Traverse City West Christian Boivin
RB 5'10" 175
41
Isaiah Gash Jr. Green Bay, Wisc. Bay Port Isaiah Gash
LB 6'2" 232
41
Nikhai Hill-Green Jr. Pittsburgh, Pa. St. Frances Academy Nikhai Hill-Green
EDGE 6'4" 246
42
TJ Guy So. Mansfield, Mass. Mansfield TJ Guy
DB 6'1" 193
42
Jesse Madden So. Oakland, Calif. Bishop O'Dowd Jesse Madden
DB 5'9" 175
43
Shomari Stone Fr. Washington, D.C. St. John's College Shomari Stone
LB 6'2" 220
43
Ryan Zimmerman Jr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Pine Crest Ryan Zimmerman
DB 5'9" 180
44
Joshua Luther Sr. Clarkston, Mich. Clarkston Joshua Luther
TE 6'4" 240
45
Noah Howes So. Rochester, Mich. Rochester Noah Howes
LS 6'2" 216
45
Greg Tarr Jr. Washington, Mich. Romeo Greg Tarr
LS 6'3" 231
46
Evan Boutorwick Fr. Macomb, Mich. Henry Ford II Evan Boutorwick
LB 6'2" 217
46
Alexander Lidback So. Alpharetta, Ga. Alpharetta Alexander Lidback
RB 5'11" 202
49
Henry Donohue So. Bronxville, N.Y. Bronxville Henry Donohue
LS 6'2" 258
49
William Wagner Sr. Alpharetta, Ga. Alpharetta William Wagner
OL 6'5" 288
50
Mica Gelb Sr. Washington, D.C. Woodrow Wilson Mica Gelb
LB 6'0" 216
50
Jerome Nichols Jr. Belleville, Mich. Renaissance Jerome Nichols
OL 6'4" 301
51
Greg Crippen So. Northborough, Mass. IMG Academy Greg Crippen
OL 6'5" 308
52
Karsen Barnhart Sr. Paw Paw, Mich. Paw Paw Karsen Barnhart
EDGE 6'4" 241
52
Kechaun Bennett So. Suffield, Conn. Suffield Academy Kechaun Bennett
OL 6'4" 311
53
Trente Jones Sr. Grayson, Ga. Grayson Trente Jones
OL 6'4" 305
54
Kraig Correll 5th Easton, Pa. Blair Academy Kraig Correll
DL 6'5" 278
54
George Rooks So. Jersey City, N.J. St. Peter's Prep George Rooks
DL 6'3" 317
55
Mason Graham Fr. Anaheim, Calif. Servite Mason Graham
OL 6'3" 307
55
Olusegun Oluwatimi Gr. Upper Marlboro, Md. DeMatha Catholic Olusegun Oluwatimi
DL 6'4" 290
56
Dominick Giudice So. Freehold, N.J. Mater Dei Dominick Giudice
LB 6'1" 224
57
Trevor Andrews So. Brentwood, Tenn. Ravenwood Trevor Andrews
OL 6'5" 317
58
Giovanni El-Hadi So. Sterling Heights, Mich. Adlai Stevenson Giovanni El-Hadi
DL 6'3" 337
58
Mazi Smith Sr. Grand Rapids, Mich. East Kentwood Mazi Smith
EDGE 6'4" 216
59
Nolan Knight Sr. Northville, Mich. Northville Nolan Knight
OL 6'6" 298
60
Connor Jones Fr. Monument, Colo. Palmer Ridge Connor Jones
OL 6'7" 283
61
Noah Stewart Jr. Muskegon, Mich. North Muskegon Noah Stewart
OL 6'3" 320
62
Raheem Anderson So. Detroit, Mich. Cass Technical Raheem Anderson
OL/LS 6'1" 272
64
James Kavouklis Fr. Tampa, Fla. Berkeley Prep James Kavouklis
OL 6'6" 315
65
Zak Zinter Jr. North Andover, Mass. Buckingham Browne and Nichols School Zak Zinter
OL 6'7" 313
66
Dan Taraboi Fr. Cedarburg, Wis. Cedarburg Dan Taraboi
DL 6'2" 291
70
Peter Simmons So. Bonita Springs, Fla. Bishop Verot Peter Simmons
OL 6'5" 289
71
Alessandro Lorenzetti Fr. Montreal, Québec, Canada The Loomis Chaffee School Alessandro Lorenzetti
OL 6'8" 311
72
Tristan Bounds So. Wallingford, Conn. Choate Rosemary Hall Tristan Bounds
EDGE 6'3" 235
73
Charlie Lovell Fr. Pinckney, Mich. Pinckney Charlie Lovell
OL 6'5" 315
74
Reece Atteberry Jr. Aurora, Colo. Eaglecrest Reece Atteberry
OL 6'7" 312
75
Andrew Gentry Fr. Littleton, Colo. Columbine Andrew Gentry
OL 6'7" 305
76
Ryan Hayes Gr. Traverse City, Mich. Traverse City West Ryan Hayes
OL 6'6" 305
77
Trevor Keegan Sr. Crystal Lake, Ill. Crystal Lake Trevor Keegan
DL 6'3" 356
78
Kenneth Grant Fr. Merrillville, Ind. Merrillville Kenneth Grant
OL 6'8" 309
79
Jeffrey Persi Jr. Mission Viejo, Calif. JSerra Catholic Jeffrey Persi
WR 5'10" 184
80
Eamonn Dennis Jr. Worcester, Mass. St. John's Eamonn Dennis
TE 6'3" 231
80
Hunter Neff Sr. Chelsea, Mich. Chelsea Hunter Neff
TE 6'5" 245
81
Louis Hansen So. Dover, Mass. St. Sebastian's Louis Hansen
WR 6'3" 195
81
Peyton O'Leary So. Byfield, Mass. Governor's Academy Peyton O'Leary
TE 6'2" 232
82
Max Bredeson So. Hartland, Wisc. Arrowhead Max Bredeson
TE 6'5" 255
83
Erick All Sr. Fairfield, Ohio Fairfield Erick All
TE 6'6" 260
84
Joel Honigford Gr. Sugarcreek, Ohio Garaway Joel Honigford
WR 6'1" 182
84
Sam Staruch Jr. Lake Orion, Mich. Lake Orion Sam Staruch
WR 6'2" 195
85
Cristian Dixon So. Santa Ana, Calif. Mater Dei Cristian Dixon
TE 6'6" 250
86
Luke Schoonmaker Sr. Hamden, Conn. Hamden Hall Luke Schoonmaker
WR 6'3" 205
88
Mathew Harrison Sr. Ortonville, Mich. Brandon Mathew Harrison
TE 6'5" 245
88
Matthew Hibner Jr. Burke, Va. Lake Braddock Matthew Hibner
TE 6'8" 257
89
Carter Selzer Gr. Kansas City, Mo. Rockhurst Carter Selzer
EDGE 6'6" 292
90
Mike Morris Sr. Belle Glade, Fla. American Heritage Mike Morris
P 6'1" 205
91
Brad Robbins Gr. Westerville, Ohio Westerville South Brad Robbins
EDGE 6'4" 255
91
Taylor Upshaw Gr. Bradenton, Fla. Braden River Taylor Upshaw
DL 6'3" 321
92
Ike Iwunnah So. Garland, Texas Lakeview Centennial Ike Iwunnah
EDGE 6'3" 253
93
Joseph Klunder Fr. Grosse Pointe, Mich. Grosse Pointe South Joseph Klunder
K/P 6'2" 193
93
Charlie Mentzer So. Northville, Mich. Detroit Catholic Central Charlie Mentzer
DL 6'3" 285
94
Kris Jenkins Jr. Olney, Md. Our Lady Good Counsel Kris Jenkins
EDGE 6'5" 242
95
Chibi Anwunah Fr. Canton, Mich. Plymouth Christian Academy Chibi Anwunah
EDGE 6'7" 266
96
Julius Welschof Gr. Miesbach, Bavaria, Germany FOS Altoetting Julius Welschof
DL 6'2" 323
99
Cam Goode Gr. Washington, D.C. St. John's College
November 27th, 2022 at 7:29 PM ^
Well played
November 27th, 2022 at 2:36 PM ^
This is a tough one.
Conventional wisdom is Blake Corum. But I'm still thinking that our team identity is Ferret Drowning, and that starts with our OL.
Olu is my choice.
Closely followed by Jake "Money" Moody.
Closely followed by Blake Corum.
November 27th, 2022 at 2:41 PM ^
Offense: Olu
Defense: Mikey Sainristil
Special teams: Moody
Overall: Blake Corum
November 27th, 2022 at 2:42 PM ^
Corum through 11 games. I really respect the level of Jedi Mind Tricks & swag that JJ McCarthy has taken on. It wasn't discussed earlier on this blog, but he pulled out a next level trash talk in his pre-Ohio State media interview that went overlooked. He was wearing a beanie with 988 embroidered in it- all the national media praised him for drawing attention to the suicide and crisis lifeline. That was not the only significance of that number. Prior to this weekend, Michigan was sitting at 987 wins. He essentially GUARANTEED a win without saying it, drawing attention to it, and getting flack for it. Those within Schembechler hall know what it is, and JJ is that guy. Glad he's a leader for the good guys!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9-96CBhXbg&ab_channel=MilenialLeader4k…;
November 27th, 2022 at 4:41 PM ^
Do you have a link to what he said on suicide and crisis lifeline? I’d like to see that
November 27th, 2022 at 2:42 PM ^
The offensive and defensive lines are my MVPs
November 27th, 2022 at 2:44 PM ^
I'm going to go with Olu and Mazi. But I'll also throw this in here, it's the Touch The Banner (Magnus on this site, I believe) top ten in his season countdown, which he finished up before play began:
Smith
Colson
Corum
Olu
Turner
Hayes
Zinter
McNamara
Bell
Moody
Picking JJ over Cade at that time wasn't in the cards, but obviously. I had All and C.Johnson in my top 10 list at that time, FWIW. I don't think any of us knew Mikey was going to ball out the way he has.
November 27th, 2022 at 2:46 PM ^
It's fascinating that before yesterday, I would guess the answers would be Corum and Morris and they hardly even played yesterday, making it hard for them to be most valuable.
November 27th, 2022 at 2:48 PM ^
Mike Morris and Blake.
November 27th, 2022 at 2:51 PM ^
Offense: Have to go with Co-MVPs in Corum and Olu. Yes the entire OLine, and even the guys in the two-deep, were all instrumental but Olu was clearly the best Center in CFB. Corum obviously has to share the award just given his statistical output.
Defense: Mikey Sainristil and I don't know if it's even debatable. Filled the 'Dax Hill' role better than the man whose namesake we reference for that defensive position. All around an amazing player.
Special Teams: Money Moody. Should be a 2x Groza Award winner and should usurp the namesake of that trophy.
November 27th, 2022 at 3:05 PM ^
Olu I know is acknowledged and regarded as an elite center in college football and a huge catalyst for our offensive success, and yet I still think he might be undervalued to some degree. Without his presence at the center of our offensive line, directing traffic and executing his assignments at an extremely high level all season, our running backs don't get nearly the running lanes and spacing they need to make something happen and this is not the best offensive line in the country. In my opinion his stellar play both mentally and physically was the lynchpin to our explosive run game and pass protection. I would give the nod to him as offensive MVP.
Honorable mention: Corum, Edwards, Schoonmaker
Defensively, I would probably go with Sainristil because of the remarkable transition from slot receiver. The fact he was able to change positions in his senior year and make an immediate, high impact for our defense as a slot defender is truly impressive. The guy is just a great football player period. As a Lions fan, he's a guy I would love to use a mid-round draft pick on if he's available. Guys like him bring so much value to a team who can just make plays wherever you put them in any of the three phases. He's had an outstanding career.
Honorable mention: Mike Morris, DJ Turner, Okie, Rod Moore
November 27th, 2022 at 6:42 PM ^
Defensive MVP is Mike Sainristil, and to think that before the season would be unfathomable. But what he did throughout the season was simply incredible. Having not played defense at Michigan before and making key play after key play blew my mind. He as equally good as a run stopper as he was in pass coverage. I don’t know what his overall stats are, but just the eye test says he’s the most valuable. It’s critical he comes back next year. I’ll give runner ups to Mike Morris, and Micheal Bennett. That’s three Mike’s……..that’s wild!
i
November 27th, 2022 at 8:52 PM ^
IMO, the two guys who were out yesterday, which it makes it more remarkable that Michigan was able to throttle OSU: Corum (offense) and Morris (defense). Though Sainristil is an awfully good choice too.
November 27th, 2022 at 8:59 PM ^
Overall: Corum (Oluwatimi #2, Moody #3)
Offense: Corum (Oluwatimi #2, Zinter #3)
Defense: Sainristil (Smith #2, Morris #3)
Special Teams: Moody (Tarr #2, Robbins #3)