Michigan's NFL draft decisions all seem to be in. Cornelius Johnson, Michael Barrett, and Kris Jenkins confirmed they're returning. So did Jim Harbaugh. Seems like a good day to check in on the state of the football roster.

What is this? Folks who cover the USMNT drop lists like this projecting the 23 guys who end up on the next World Cup team. Brian appropriated it, dropped it for a few years, and then I stole it from him. Regarding the number of tickets: typically its’ 22 starters on offense and defense + 2 kickers + a Flex TE/Slot + nickel + extra DL. This year we have a K/P so I used the extra spot on a 6th OL.

Previously: Spring 2022, Post-Bowl 2022.

DEPARTURES IN ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE

• 1. C Olu Oluwatimi (out of eligibility). Won Outland and Rimington Awards, centered Joe Moore-winning OL.
• 2. DE Mike Morris (NFL). Only DL who could get solid pass-rush. Great run defender. Badly hampered/missed after rolled ankle late vs Nebraska.
• 3. NT Mazi Smith (NFL). Stalwart nose, freakish athlete, ate doubles so his teammates could eat, had some contain issues.
• 4. WR Ronnie Bell (NFL). Leading WR, team leader, only so far down the list because M had lots behind him.
• 5. K Jake Moody (out of eligibility). One half of Pax Specialistica (2018-2022). Won Groza and came back for Year 5. 69/84 FGs, 148/148 on XPs. Kicked a 59-yarder in Fiesta that also broke the school record for career scoring.
• 6. P Brad Robbins (out of eligibility). Other half. Old-timey strongman mustache, perfect holder. Ludicrous hangtime until injury nerfed him.
• 7. CB DJ Turner (NFL) and 8. CB Gemon Green (NFL). Very good CBs. WRs they covered were rarely open, but caught more contesteds than they should have.
• 9. LT Ryan Hayes (NFL). Solid pass pro except against elites, great downfield agility, awesome down-blocker.
• 10. TE Luke Schoonmaker (NFL) and 11. TE Erick All (Iowa). Excellent blocky-catchies, would have been nice to keep one.
• 12. DE Eyabi Okie (Portal to ?) Vagabond former 5-star who leaves as he lived: lots of potential, doesn't know when it's time to stay in one place.
• 13. DE Taylor Upshaw (Colorado). Polar opposite of Okie: low-ranked build-a-DE/DT with a low ceiling. Responsible on edge, passing downs DT, no bend.
• 14. QB Cade McNamara (Iowa). B10-winning game manager who hated being called that. Fall practice hype said he'd taken next step, was tied with JJ. Tryout for his old job failed spectacularly, ankle injury shut him down.
• 15. WR Andrel Anthony (Oklahoma). Just 7 catches for 80 yards in 2022. We'll always have the 2021 MSU game.
• 16. TE Joel Honigford (out of eligibility). Blocking-only TE who specialized in scrum-pushing.
• 17-21. DT George Rooks (Boston College), TE Louis Hansen (UConn), DE Julius Welschof (?), LB Deuce Spurlock (Florida), QB Alan Bowman (OKSt). Playing time transfers.

PACK YOUR BAGS

You will see them on the field a lot, whether or not they’re technically getting the start.

1. RB Blake Corum (Jr/Sr) [Last time: 2]

As foretold by Fred Jackson, the one true Mike Hart But Fast has come, is coached by Mike Hart. Heisman candidate until an injury against Illinois basically ended his season. Gave up some top-end speed to become a complete back, still very fast. Sees everything, sets up everything, breaks everything.

2. QB JJ McCarthy (Jr/Jr) [Last time: 12-tie]

Zen-master 5-star emphatically defeated legacy starter Cade McNamara and had a sophomore year that bordered on stardom and frustrated only because his legs were not a big enough part of the offense. Now advances to the Henson 2000/Henne 2006 phase of 5-star quarterbackdom.

3. RB Donovan Edwards (Jr/Jr) [Last time: 9]

Assumed 1B role, then became primary for OSU/B10 CG/Playoff despite having a broken hand for that portion of the season. Cut 75- and 85-yard swathes through the souls of OSU. Fixed vision/decision issues that previously annoyed in comparison to Corum. Receiving hampered by hand issue last year but is good enough to be a full-time WR, create McCaffreyian mismatches.

4. RG Zak Zinter (Jr/Sr) [Last time: 6]

Mauler has been starting since he was a true freshman, arguably 2nd best player on last two Joe Moore Award-winning OLs. Great puller, great zone blocker, extremely good in pass pro, freakishly athletic for size (once reach-blocked a Georgia DT), good candidate to succeed Oluwatimi as Outland winner.

5. Nickel/CB Mike Sainristil (Sr/5th) [Last time: 19]

Pictured: Play of the decade. Team captain who gave the in-game speech of the decade. Also a better nickel (to our grading) than Dax Hill was, though the role's a bit different. Could also play CB. Used to play slot receiver, then played like an All-American. More to go? Hard to say since he's limited by size.

[After THE JUMP: Good players making jumps,  very few unsettled spots.]

-----------------------------

6. DT Kris Jenkins (Jr/Sr) [Last time: 22]

Arrived on schedule. Huge UFR scores for his quick get-off and disruptive play. Led unit in highlight-reel worthy events despite coming off the field on a lot of passing downs. Still has plenty of runway after arriving in the 230s, could turn himself into a top-100 pick if he adds pass-rushing to his toolkit.

7. CB Will Johnson (So/So) [Last time: 29]

Arrived vs OSU, but ARRIVED with a pair of game-sealing picks vs Purdue. 5-star cornerback took most of the season to get the coverages down, was a game-wrecker once he did. Elite size, speed, athleticism. Times his picks like Woodson, time to party like it's 1996.

8. NOSE Mason Graham (So/So) [Last time: pushing from behind]

Arrived way ahead of schedule. First true freshman DT in forever to not suck. Placed this high because he's assuming Smith's role, and was freakishly good as Michigan's 3rd DT all year despite true freshmanity.

9. S Rod Moore (Jr/Jr) [Last time: 21]

True freshman starter in 2021 became their best safety in 2022. Flies down and picks his way through traffic with the best of them. Has a nose for interceptions. Not boring, but in a small guy good way.

10. WR Roman Wilson (Jr/Sr) [Last time: 17]

"Oh yeah, HIM!" Favorite deep target of JJs and Donovans. Played mostly slot last year. Insane speed, better than average leaping ability, good hands (93% on catchables, 3/4 on contested last year). Often forgot when naming Michigan's offensive weapons, followed by an Oh yeah, HIM!

11. WR Cornelius Johnson (Sr/5th) [Last time: 15]

The odd 5th year who could substantially improve his draft stock with more film. Excellent route-runner underutilized in that role. Has some limitations as a contested ball receiver (11/31 career to PFF) and tends to drop his first target of the game, but great speed, great moves, makes great plays in crucial situations.

12. LG Trevor Keegan (So/Sr) [Last time: 16]

Nuanced human built like a mountain, or Wisconsonian T to G convert. If he was in a videogame he'd have 99 awareness, 92 run blocking, 85 pass blocking, and fair agility. Is the most likely reason a play that looked dead is suddenly not. Awareness makes him especially valuable on pulls. Generally more of a fount of +1s than spectacular blocks/pancakes. Room to improve in pass pro.

13. TE Colston Loveland (So/So) [Last time: waiting his turn]

Mason Graham of the offense. Leapt to the top of the TE depth chart after injuries to top two. Insane catch radius, okay blocking, but that was as a true freshman from Idaho who was a WR until senior year of high school so upside is as insane as said catch radius.

14. WLB Michael Barrett (Sr/6th) [Last time: 28]

Former Viper/do-everything special teamer who turned himself into a true LB over the course of last season. Actually in the mid-230s now too. Still has Viper acceleration, still a bit undersized when impacting blockers, Michigan's most effective pass-rusher last year because of that acceleration, tendency to run over RBs. Needs to work on angles in the backfield to convert those to sacks.

15. MLB Junior Colson (Jr/Jr) [Last time: 25]

Super-talented LB forced onto the field too early. Followed up true freshman year that was 67% mistakes with sophomore year that was 45% mistakes. Result was Mouton-esque high-volume scores like +18/-17 = +1. Makes some insane plays with his natural ability (e.g. the defection that Rod Moore intercepted in the Fiesta Bowl). If upperclass performance follows growth track he could ascend to All-American.

16. OL LaDarius Henderson (Jr/5th) [Last time: not on team]

Arizona State transfer was the best guard in the Pac 12 last year, probably a Runyan-esque G in the NFL, but Michigan thinks they can move him out to left tackle, like Runyan. Started as a true freshman (at 17). Was team captain last year, missed time with injury. High enough on draft radars that returning to school was a "shock" so multiple Olu vibes.

17. EDGE Josaiah Stewart (Jr/Jr) [Last time: not on team]

Coastal Carolina transfer, differs from all other Michigan DEs in that he has the proverbial "dip" to be a constant rush threat. A bit undersized at listed 6'2"/230 last year but 52 hurries, 18 sacks as true Fr and So in Sun Belt should translate. Should be top of the rotation at backside edge and featured pass-rush specialist.

18. C Drake Nugent (Jr/5th) [Last time: not on team]

Excellent piece of an otherwise terrible line in Shaw's last year. First mentioned in these parts as a coveted transfer target when Stanford started to look poachable. Compact, intelligent, knows-the-system drop-in who was also a team captain last year.

19. S Makari Paige (Jr/Sr) [Last time: contributing]

Usurped RJ Moten's job and RJ Moten's spot on this list. Boring free safety who suddenly becomes Not Boring in a good way in rivalry games. Big and athletic enough to play as a quasi-LB if called upon. Does miss the occasional tackle.

ROLE PLAYERS

We've reached the next tier for established rotation players and specialists. These guys are safe bets to play in every game barring injury, even if they don't start. Might see playing time decrease if an up-and-comer up and comes.

20. Slot-H/Returner AJ Henning (Jr/Sr) [Last time: 26]

Who doubted him? (I did, sorry). Returned one to the house versus UConn, rarely let one bounce behind him, doesn't drop them or fumble. Takes KOs out because he's a threat, usually ends up past the 25 when he does that. Hasn't done much as a WR except as a Calvin Bell Memorial end-around threat. Might expand role on offense if they need a second Edwards for Edwards stuff.

21. TE AJ Barner (Jr/Sr) [Last time: Not on team]

Important portal pickup since M lost five TEs (Schoon, All, Hongiford, Selzer, Hansen) in the offseason and Hibner/Bredeson not really receiving threats. Jumbo WR type who was IU's best target when healthy. Once mossed an OSU cornerback. Most of his blocking has been on WR screens.

22. P Tommy Doman (So/Jr) [Last time: Waiting his turn]

The Pax Specialistica is over but Michigan didn't seem worried enough to touch the portal. Doman is a lock for punter after looking exactly like Brad Robbins in the Spring Game. He's supposed to be a good kicker too—is he handling those too? Freshman Adam Samaha or a walk-on might take those duties instead.

IN A BATTLE

This is the section where we put a gun to my head and make me name a starter to fill the open jobs. Those are right tackle, strongside EDGE, the cornerback opposite Johnson, and a third DT. I'm leaving in both RT candidates because whoever's not starting will at least be the TE wearing #90 who soaks up Joel Honigford's snaps and the first OL in if/when someone gets injured.

23. RT Karsen Barnhart (Jr/5th) [Last time: contributing]

Lost the RT job to Jones out of camp but took over and played about as well, with fewer mistakes in pass pro but more of them in blocking ID. Settled into a pretty good, not great member of an awesome OL. Managed to hold onto the job after Jones returned, which says something.

OR

24. RT Trente Jones (Jr/5th) [Last time: 24]

Won the starting RT job last spring with minimal drama. Had some major pass-rushing florps in the early season, including several that ruined McNamara's attempt to compete. Impact blocker in space and on block-downs, athletic enough that he should be able to fix pass-set issues.

25. DT Rayshaun Benny (So/Jr) [Last time: contributing]

Arrived on schedule as an impact DT with incredible feet and leverage that make him naturally hard on zone blocking. Still made some freshman mistakes but was trusted to rotate at all three DT positions and made some PLAYS. Expected to start on 5-3 looks this year, not far behind Graham & Jenkins.

26. DE Derrick Moore (So/So) [Last time: pushing from behind]

This is a guess because he played slightly less than Braiden McGregor, but Moore was also a true freshman so there's more runway. He also was more consistent. Super-strong, surprisingly athletic for his size, already has a solid bull technique and could take the leap to average or good Big Ten starter.

27. Pick a cornerback.

This is a placeholder because Michigan might be looking in the portal after losing both Turner and Green to the NFL.

No Seth, *YOU* pick a cornerback. That's how this exercise works.

Fine.

27. CB Ja'Den McBurrows (Fr/Jr) [Last time: pushing from behind]

Multiple insiders have pointed at McBurrows as a guy who "could be another DJ Turner if he puts in the focus." Injury set him back the last two years but that's supposedly well behind him now.

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REDUCED ROLE

We're past the tickets but Michigan retains a few onetime starters (for them or another team) who should be set off from the rest of the contributors because they've already played quite a bit but are projected to maybe play less than they're used to next year.

ILB Ernest Hausmann (So/So) [Last time: Not on team]

Starter for Nebraska who had Colson-like true freshman issues but those also seemed to diminish over the course of the season. Considered the 2nd overall portal prospect to 247 because his upside is All-American ILB. Barrett's return creates a logjam where there was zero depth last year, but Hausmann didn't come to ride pine.

ILB Nikhai Hill-Green (So/Sr) [Last time: 23]

Started in 2021 over Barrett as a RS freshman, had some big freshman mistakes vs Rutgers but was Michigan's best ILB (over Colson) by the end. Not big but fearless, athletic, converts on his rushes. Lost all of 2022 to hamstring issues.

OT Myles Hinton (Jr/Sr) [Last time: Not on team]

Former 5* little brother of former DT Christopher, son of former Colts OT Chris. Struggled after being forced on the field too early as a True Fr and Soph, held back by injury most of last year. Wild card: could be the new LT, could redshirt to get his career back on track.

EDGE/OLB Jaylen Harrell [Last time: Not starting but contributing]

Was first among equals at DE last year, was also Michigan's worst starter by a large margin. Not a strong pass-rusher, but spin move can get lower-end Ts. High contrast between high number of mistakes and high trust from coaches explained by variance introduced by his ability to shift to LB/disguise others' intentions. Focus on being a more limited role as 5-2 OLB/hybrid could make him a more positive player.

S/LB RJ Moten (Jr/Sr) [Last time: 20]

Uncertain future after season of major regression. Used to be a good athletic safety who dropped two important interceptions and blew that one play against Northwestern. Became a guy who had to be pulled for whiffing tackles and major coverage breakdowns in multiple games. Last seen trying linebacker in bowl practices (DNP).

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The rest of these categories are in positional order, not ranking.

NOT STARTING BUT CONTRIBUTING

Michigan's third and fourth tight ends matter. [Marc-Grégor Campredon]

Either they’re trapped in a rotation by a solid depth chart, they have a hard ceiling in some facet of their game, or they’re some kind of specialist or situational hybrid. You will see them on the field, but probably not in the starting lineup unless the guy ahead gets injured.

RB Kalen Mullings (Jr/Sr) [Last time: contributing but at LB]. Moved from ILB to mooseback for the Fiesta Bowl, then fumbled a dive on the goal line for the margin. Probably not going to hold that against him since M wanted to move him to heavy RB before this, and he seemed like a natural before.

WR Tyler Morris (So/So). I'm going to keep banging the drum, in case going to him on a crucial 3rd down at Rutgers didn't make the case. Was expected to redshirt from high school injury. Great hands, route artisan, believe me on this guy!

TE Max Bredeson (So/Jr). Surprising 3rd TE last year as RS Fr walk-on. Blocky type who sometimes lined up at fullback.

TE Matthew Hibner (Jr/Sr). Guy we thought would be next TE up. Decent blocker, hasn't shown as a receiver yet, but profiles as the standard athlete M usually brings up at TE. Tons of depth chart cleared out so make or break season.

G Giovanni El-Hadi (So/Jr). Started a portion of the season when Keegan was out or had to play LT, looked good enough that we weren't too worried when Zinter/Keegan were looking at NFL entry. Superior athlete, heady.

NT Kenneth Grant (So/So). Worked his way into rotation as NT later in the year. Labeled "God's gift to football" until we reappropriated the title for Graham. Jonathan Hankins comp is tight: huge nose who shouldn't be able to move like he does. Will play lots, projected 2024-'25 starter at nose.

DE Braiden McGregor (Jr/Sr). Set back by major knee injury as senior in HS so his 2020 was a washout and he was basically still a freshman from the waist down last year. Was also #2 behind Morris last year and waist-up is very good. Will battle for starting SDE job, rotate with the winner regardless.

ILB Jimmy Rolder (So/So). Forced into playing time by bad LB depth, wasn't half bad by the end of the season, passing Mullings to be the 3rd LB by the back third. Gedeon-level athlete, could have used a redshirt, M will get him involved since he and Hausmann are the future.

S Caden Kolesar (Jr/5th). Kovacsian son of Johnny, was captain and MVP of special teams during height of the Pax Specialistica. Was in the rotation earlier. Brainy, QB of defense sort.

A third CB who isn't the 2nd CB. I'll run down all the candidates in the next section but consider all of these guys basically tied for #27.

PUSHING FROM BEHIND

The talk last spring about Clemons didn't quite match the usage last fall for Clemons. [Barron]

Category for younger players expected to graduate from “Waiting their turn” or more established but lower-ceilinged players hoping to hold off the next wave a little bit longer. Not expected to start, but wouldn’t be that big of a shock to see them on the field. Most will graduate to regular contributor eventually, but probably not this season.

QB Davis Warren (So/Sr). Walk-on who spent senior year fighting leukemia, freshman year gaining his weight back. Looked like a plausible Big Ten starter in limited appearances last year. Can run a bit too. Might have been a 4-star if not for the story. Might be Michigan's plan after JJ regardless. Just got put on scholarship and goes into this year as QB2.

RB CJ Stokes (So/So). Climbed a pretty weak post-Edwards depth chart, had flashes as a one-cut guy, but moment was too big for him and one-handed Edwards had to iron man the rest of the OSU game and Mullings was RB3 for the bowl. Higdon-esque.

WR Darrius Clemons (So/So). Burned redshirt on special teams, was leading hype getter out of spring last year as M tried to showcase his deep ball. Nothing came of it but obviously they're seeing it in practice. Rumored to have been pushing Andrel Anthony enough to induce a transfer.

C Greg Crippin (So/Jr). Second year in a row he got recruited over after coming from IMG and not redshirting in 2021 because he might have to start in 2022. Still lots of eligibility left, not a given he doesn't start either. Got back his redshirt last year.

LT Jeffrey Persi (So/Sr). Started in Hayes's place when he went out for Rutgers, didn't look half bad. Grow-a-TE "Frey" type who might have seamlessly moved into the position if not for the portal being so generous. Not out of the competition either.

NT Cam Goode (Sr/6th). UCF transfer who was getting passed by freshman until he played a bunch of snaps, not particularly well, in the Fiesta Bowl. Limited upside but long on experience.

DT Trey Pierce (Fr/Fr). Polished flip from Wisconsin, could find his way into the rotation early since Rooks left and Giudice is on offense.

EDGE/OLB TJ Guy (So/Jr). Developing hybrid DE/LB that program hypes but doesn't play a lot. Hasn't flashed when he's been on the field except in spring game. Keep an eye out for him, also for accidental puns.

S Zeke Berry (Fr/So). Hyped 4* slot safety recruit who had one crazy awesome play during redshirting garbage time. Surprised they redshirted him, is that ominous or just a sign of their depth?

S Keon Sabb (Fr/So). Hyped 4.5* recruit who was more of a hybrid or big safety, got a lot of practice chatter last year, scattered playing time.

S Damani Dent (Fr/So). Dax-like that I like who was injured last year.

S Quinten Johnson (Jr/5th). Next safety in when Kolesar went out. Didn't score well, will have a hard time holding off the redshirted trio, but good athlete.

AND WHOMEVER AMONG THESE CORNERBACKS ISN'T THE 3RD CB:

CB Myles Pollard (Fr/So). Playmaking, speed-limited big corner in Will Johnson's class. Next most likely candidate for open CB job but it could be any of these guys or transfer. OR

CB Kody Jones (Fr/So). Scrappy speedy nickel type who was brought in to play nickel after Sainristil graduates. M would probably prefer he focuses on that but could also compete for open CB job. OR

CB Jyaire Hill (Fr/Fr). Biggest win of Signing Day. Played FS for high school but ideal measurements, speed, playmaking. Probably needs half a year at least to adjust. OR

CB Cameron Calhoun (Fr/Fr). Long and tall recruit who enrolled early and drew a bit of praise from Clinkscale in bowl practices. OR

A transfer. It's not that these are all bad options; it's just there are lots of them and they're either really young or really old. The cornerback competition will be the story of spring, until the coaches make it about the punter competition.

K Adam Samaha (Fr/Fr). Might be the new kicker for all we know, since the only other PK to attempt one last year was Rhett Anderson, who's out of eligibility. Was a top-rated PK in his class but committed to Michigan really early and others moved up.

WAITING THEIR TURN

Developing. [Paul Sherman]

Grow-a-bodies, raw recruits, etc. expected to contribute down the line, so they're still right on track even if they're not generating much talk yet. Ordered by position group and rank in that group.

OFFENSIVE SKILL:

RB Cole Cabana (Fr/Fr). True freshman Edwards type, top-150 recruit, has some oomph as well. RBs can play early, could assume RB3 role if Stokes isn't producing.

WR Amorion Walker (So/So). Freakishly fast and athletic for his height, but also wafer thin, weird that they didn't try to redshirt him. Tried to get him some deep sideline balls but he couldn't bring them in. Also tried him at cornerback. Could develop early, could be Nico (or Richard Sherman).

QB Alex Orji (Fr/So). Could see more time as a mop-up option QB or red zone guy to keep tread off JJ. Might have a future at EDGE or LB.

QB Jayden Denegal (Fr/So). Speight type who redshirted.

TE Marlin Klein (Fr/So). Speedy German ATH via Rabun Gap-Nacoochie that they're turning into a tight end while I try to use the words Rabun Gap-Nacoochie as many times as I can.

OFFENSIVE LINE:

C/G Raheem Anderson (So/Jr). Michigan-loving four-year starter at Cass Tech who didn't look half bad as a backup C last year in garbage time.

G Reece Atteberry (So/Sr). Supposedly the G closest to starting who wasn't on the field last year. Got in some in 2021 when all the guards were hurt. Typical Colorado mauler.

T Andrew Gentry (Fr/So). Lots of buzz for a huge 2020 5* who took a 2-year Mormon mission.

T Tristan Bounds (So/Jr). Long-term project so wouldn't  start hearing things until this spring.

G Dominick Giudice (So/Jr). Low-ranked DT recruit who moved to offense and generated practice buzz.

G Alessandro Lorenzetti (Fr/So). Bendy Canadian G prospect who fell off the sleeper tree and hit every recruiting industry blindspot branch on the way down.

G/T Connor Jones (Fr/So). Michigan flag-waiving Colorado grow-a-mauler.

DEFENSE:

EDGE Enow Etta (Fr/Fr). Top-ranked 2023 recruit (for now) in the class, could factor into the rotation early like Moore did.

EDGE Chibi Anwuna (Fr/So). Deep developmental walk-on with an NFL ceiling. Tipster says to keep an ear on him, but not expecting buzz until next year, earliest.

LB Micah Pollard (So/So). Was supposed to start out at edge but moved to LB and generated lots of fall camp talk. Probably can afford a redshirt this year to get a year's separation from Hausmann and Rolder.

Plus whichever CBs and safeties from above don't make it into the rotation.

GETTING LATE EARLY

Haven't heard from Dixon in a minute. [Marc-Grégor Campredon]

Category for players who haven’t seen the field much and are dealing with younger/same eligibility guys who have, or hyped recruits getting more talk of early playing time at their positions.

QB Jack Tuttle (Sr/6th). Indiana transfer who was a one-time 4-star and started when Penix was hurt. Probably it for his competitive career, came to add depth, might go into coaching after.

RB Tavierre Dunlap (So/Jr). Heavy type from Texas has looked like just-a-guy. Passed by two walk-ons (Franklin, Gash), a freshman, and a linebacker last year. May have future role as a Mullings?

WR Cristian Dixon (So/Jr). Had a pass early from JJ in 2021, now behind entire 2022 class, but same eligibility as they.

SLOT Eamonn Dennis (So/Sr). Moved to CB and back again to balance numbers with Sainristil. Has a role as special teams gunner.

NOSE Ike Iwunnah (So/Jr). Big body to develop from 2021 class, has since been passed by entire 2022 DT class.

EDGE Kechaun Bennett (So/Jr). Developmental Northeastern DE who hasn't seen the field yet. If he had some pass rush as a RS freshman you think he would have.

LB Joey Velazquez (Jr/5th). Baseball career has progressed, football career stalled. Like last year's RS freshmen, wasn't an option when M was starved for LB depth, got passed by true freshman Rolder.

LB Jaydon Hood (So/Jr). Bush-type for Brown defense arrived pretty raw after high school transfer to powerhouse showed him out of depth. Has barely been seen since despite last year's depth issues, which are no more thanks to 3 guys with sophomore eligibility behind the starters.

LB Tyler McLaurin (So/Jr). Smart but so-so DE/Edge tweener didn't get on the field when LB depth was terrible. Both McLaurin and Hood were apparently passed by Pollard as well last season.

CB German Green (Sr/6th). Twin brother of Gemon, only moved back to CB last year and was next on the depth chart but only played in garbage time. Special teams stalwart. If you're 4th on the depth chart, and 1 and 3 leave, and people are wondering who replaces them, it probably means it's not you.

CB Keshaun Harris (Sr/6th). Track athlete recruited to football in 2020 when CB depth chart was abysmal. Has looked solid in garbage time play, contributes on special teams. Dark horse that Craig Ross picked but was behind German Green last year.

NK/CB Jalen Perry (Jr/5th). One of the non-answers from 2020 who spent some time at safety and was technically the backup nickel last year. Has been mostly left out of conversation.

FRESHMEN NOT ALREADY MENTIONED

Nothing to report yet.

• QB Kendrick Bell
• RB Benjamin Hall
• WR Karmello English
• WR Semaj Morgan
• WR Fredrick Moore
• TE Deakon Tonielli
• TE Zack Marshall
• OL Amir Herring
• OL Nathan Efobi
• OL Evan Link
• DT Brooks Bahr
• EDGE Aymeric Koumba
• EDGE/LB Breeon Ishmail
• ILB Semaj Bridgeman
• ILB Hayden Moore
• ATH Jason Hewlett
• CB/S DJ Waller