2023 preview

The Sponsors

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Featured Musician: Dad Caps

The Video:

[After THE JUMP: What was said.]

Previously: Podcast 15.0A, 15.0B, 15.0C. The Story. Quarterback. Running Back. Wide Receiver. Tight End. Interior OL. Defensive Interior. Edge.

LINEBACKER: LINEBACKING IS HARD

Not a Depth Chart

It's a fair bet the plurality of position-specific praying in 2022 was for the linebackers. Michigan went into the season with two playable options, one of those a true sophomore who could explode in any direction, and lost the other to a thigh injury for the whole of it. Options past Colson and NHG were Don Brown viper Michael Barrett, RB-ish Brown recruit whom Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and everybody at Michigan's spring game thought better left at RB Kalel Mullings, and freshmen. By the bowl game they were asking a former starting safety to move down.

And now? Different story. The twitching ball of azidoazide azide has reached the age of draftability. The viper used the opportunity to turn himself into a bona fide WLB. The thigh guy was sent down to Charlotte to make room for the top free agent in the portal. Last year's semi-playable freshman is now a playable sophomore trying to hold off a Don Brown doom squirrel we were getting ready to write off this time in 2022. The guy everyone wanted to play running back? He actually gets to play running back!

Depending on what happens with the immigrant infante's irises, this unit is headed towards something between pretty good and 12-15 Christmases.

SHADY'S BACK

It may or may not make a difference beyond recruiting, but the guy who rivaled Santa in gifts he's brought to Michigan reputably also knows his way around the second level.

You said five, so I'm here for five. [Barron]

Once and future Chris Partridge returned to Michigan this offseason after a rocky attempt to coordinate a defense at Ole Miss. The top recruiter among all the Harbaugh lieutenants who've come through Ann Arbor, Partridge was also the linebacking coach during the position's best years in the history of our charting. Granted, they had Devin Bush Jr. (a Partridge recruit) for most of those years. Events not related to Bush:

• Jabrill Peppers (a Partridge player in HS) was a Heisman candidate as a Viper.
• Ben Gedeon developed into a solid starter.
• Mike McCray hit his ceiling.
• Devin Gil became a serviceable Big Ten player.
• Josh Ross had an extremely promising early career.
• Khaleke Hudson did too.

Things got a lot worse in the years after Partridge. One reason to think they might take a leap forward is there isn't another LBs coach in the MGoBlog era with that kind of track record. Another is they have an elite athlete on hand who's badly in need of coaching.

[After THE JUMP: Back again.]

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. This year's spring update isn't going to be very different from last winter, especially at the top.

How many tickets? Typically 22 starters on offense and defense + 2 specialists and three FLEX positions. This can vary somewhat to get everyone a ticket.

Previously: Post-Bowl 2023, Spring 2022, Post-Bowl 2022.

PACK YOUR BAGS

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

1. QB JJ McCarthy (Jr/Jr) [Last time: 2]

Moves up a spot because he's the most irreplaceable. Zen-master 5-star who sent Cade McNamara to Iowa, advances to the Henson 2000/Henne 2006 phase of 5-star quarterbackdom. Legs a major threat but left mostly on the shelf (see: irreplaceable).

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

As foretold by Fred Jackson, Mike Hart But Fast, coached by Mike Hart. Heisman candidate until an injury against Illinois. Gave up some top-end speed to become a complete back. Sees everything, sets up everything, breaks everything. Reason Duo is the base play.

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

Huge UFR scores for his quick get-off and disruptive play, now the star, probably no longer coming off for passing downs. May moonlight as Mike Morris-style DE. Turned down NFL, looked like an NFL 3-4 DE in spring.

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

Ascended in Corum's absence despite broken hand. Cut 75- and 85-yard swathes through the souls of OSU. Fixed vision/decision issues that previously annoyed in comparison to Corum. Could be a pure receiver if he wanted, plan on offense designed to use both.

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

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). Turned down NFL, Outland watch.

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

Five-star film rat, authoritatively ARRIVED late in true freshman year. Marlinesque size, Woodsonesque playmaking, baits interceptions he shouldn't be able to get to, plus-plus tackler, Woodson's 1996 season: Go.

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

Pictured: Play of the decade. Slot WR convert/team captain who gave the in-game speech of the decade. Also a better nickel (to our grading) than Dax Hill was, but without the physicality. Could also play CB.

[After THE JUMP: The further down the more movement.]