Your Opinion: Who Are The Top 5 Players Going Into Next Season?

Submitted by MaizeBlueA2 on January 3rd, 2023 at 11:42 PM

Out of curiosity, who do you think are the 5 best players on the team going into next season?

Assumptions

  • Corum, Zinter, and Turner go pro (not saying I believe this to be true...but it's all hypothetical anyway).
  • Keegan, Barnhart, Okie, Barrett, and both Green brothers are back.
  • While there will be more transfers, assume that they do not include anyone who would be in someone's Top 5.
  • Guys who've committed to transfer in are all eligible. As are true freshmen.
  • Same coaching staff, same offense, same defense.

Who do you have at the top?!

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Bleed4Blue

January 4th, 2023 at 9:12 AM ^

Would it really be that large of a step? He was burning people all year and either not getting a good ball, or flat out being missed (he was WIDE open on the Johnson out route against osu), and has shown both this year and last an ability to make big - contested catches. If Mccarthy can get his timing down with him, he could be lethal next year. 

Joined: 09/07/2021

MGoPoints: 759

trustBlue

January 4th, 2023 at 9:43 AM ^

He has speed and can catch an open ball, but his game is pretty much entirely based on beating people deep.

Hasn't really shown skills as a route runner, or an the ability to make contested catches, or the ability to generate YAC. 

Its great to have a deep ball threat as part of your offense, but he'll need to take a big step to become an every down type of receiver. 

Joined: 04/14/2014

MGoPoints: 8169

Jtre1212

January 4th, 2023 at 12:37 PM ^

He hasn’t been asked to do those things on a consistent basis but over the last 3 years he has shown  plays of all the things you listed. I think going into 2023 as the undisputed #1 WR Michigan will need to use him in other ways bedsides go deep and catch this screen. 
 

I like Andrel but the fan based overhyped him based off 1 game and 1 catch. Obviously we expect him to take a step forward next year as a starter but we haven’t seen it yet. Darrius Clemsons is a nice prospect. Henning is a gadget guy based off what we have seen so far. Roman is going to have to be the guy until some other people step up. 

Joined: 02/15/2016

MGoPoints: 532

RobM_24

January 4th, 2023 at 1:45 AM ^

1. JJ

2. Tie between everyone else

 

I could be wrong, but I still think a Heisman-level QB is the only way to level the playing field if you aren't a recruiting factory like Alabama/Georgia. And sometimes you can have a Heisman-level QB and a recruiting factory roster, and it still isn't enough. But there aren't many (if any) cases of non-recruiting factory schools winning with average QBs. 

 

 

 

Joined: 01/27/2014

MGoPoints: 63583

duffman is thr…

January 4th, 2023 at 9:15 PM ^

Well recently. Remember Alabama, and LSU back in the day had game managers and not big time pro prospects. If Georgia wins again this year, and really same for TCU, it won’t be from a top 10 pick at QB. Stetson and Duggan may very well be 5 star men but I don’t believe they are highly sought after NFL prospects. 

Joined: 05/20/2010

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RobM_24

January 4th, 2023 at 11:55 PM ^

Alabama, LSU, and Georgia are all recruiting factories. We are not on their level in that department. And TCU has a Heisman-level QB (he made the final 4). His game is obviously suited for college football more than NFL football, but that's why I said Heisman-level and not NFL-level. Off the top of my head I couldn't think of a recent championship team without either a top-5 level recruiting or a Heisman quality QB. Michigan with Griese is probably one of the most recent examples.

Joined: 01/27/2014

MGoPoints: 63583

BKBlue94

January 4th, 2023 at 3:31 AM ^

Like everyone's saying - McCarthy, Edwards, W. Johnson at the top. Then probably Loveland.

Think Rod Moore should be getting more love here though. The guy is super skilled, consistent, and is only improving 

Joined: 12/22/2021

MGoPoints: 4738

Gree4

January 4th, 2023 at 7:39 AM ^

Harrell, McGregor, and Hausman have breakout years.

JJ, The Don, Will Johnson, Roman, Loveland will become top players on O and D 

Omarion Walker and Clemons bring the WR play all of us wanted this year. 

I think our DL/LB group is better next year than this year. 

 

 

Joined: 09/04/2020

MGoPoints: 13939

brad

January 4th, 2023 at 7:45 AM ^

Will Johnson

Mason Graham

Edwards

JJ

Loveland

This is a bit of a cop out, because these five were some of the best this year, but all should be on an upward trajectory and playing at a consistently elite level next year.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 15729

1VaBlue1

January 4th, 2023 at 9:02 AM ^

JJ, Edwards, Loveland, Mason Graham, and Will Johnson will be my top 5.  It feels like Morris will enter the draft.  Both Colson and Barret will be even better next year.  Rod Moore will force WillJo to give up the DB spotlight and share it - he'll prove to be the best safety Michigan has had in decades (yeah - I know Peppers and Hill exist).

This is another championship level team if JJ is allowed to play football in a modern offense that includes his legs and a pass game similar to Georgia's (more versatile, layered, dynamic, and better integrated with the run game).  If Edwards is used in space, like how we all wanted Chris Evans to be used, he'll be a Heisman contender.

Like it has every year, championship dreams will rest on how the Harbaughffense evolves...

Joined: 01/31/2016

MGoPoints: 127087

Swayze Howell Sheen

January 4th, 2023 at 9:20 AM ^

Just a tip: every time someone writes "Donovan Edwards", read it like Gus Johnson is saying it on the second touchdown run against OSU.

"Donovan Ed-WARDS! Whoa!

Can they catch him? No!"

It's more enjoyable that way.

 

Joined: 10/05/2008

MGoPoints: 47106

GoBlue C4

January 4th, 2023 at 9:50 AM ^

Only 5 is tough, how about 5 on each side of the ball.

 

Offense-

1. JJ

2. Dono

3. Wilson

4. Loveland

5. Keegan

Defense -

1. W. Johnson

2. Graham 

3. Jenkins 

4. Colson

5. McGregor 

Joined: 08/02/2015

MGoPoints: 765