The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1473191
THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 23 of the best freshman defenders progressing to one of the nation's best in any class." In one of its most aptly named accolades, Lindy's gave Cade McNamara the nod in its "Coolest in the Clutch" category in the Big Ten. Aside from the players, Sporting News ranked Michigan head man Jim Harbaugh the No. 9 coach in the country on its list entering 2022, up from No. 15 one year earlier. "Harbaugh's tenure in Ann Arbor has been highly scrutinized, but he's maintained a .691 winning percentage," the publication pointed out. "That ranks eighth among Power 5 pro- grams since 2015." Newcomers To Watch Lindy's rated three Michigan players as among the nation's top 100 incoming fresh- men — defensive back Will Johnson (No. 14 overall, No. 4 defensive back), defensive end Derrick Moore (No. 49) and defensive back Keon Sabb (No. 84). Two others were rated in the top 200 — wide receiver Darrius Clemons (No. 143) and defensive back Zeke Berry (No. 168). Johnson and Moore were tabbed among the top 10 incoming Big Ten recruits, at No. 3 and No. 8, respectively. "Five-star in-state cornerback Will John- son leads a strong secondary class, but the Wolverines also added needed beef on the defensive line," Lindy's summed up. "Wide receiver Darrius Clemons was a nice late pull who surprised many by choosing Michigan. He then enrolled early and has star potential." Lindy's went on to state that Clemons showed off his speed and ability to catch the ball, along with his big body, in the spring game, and it noted that he joins sophomore Andrel Anthony as another youngster with "WR1 kind of potential." ❏ ATHLON EAST 1. Ohio State (12-1, 8-1 Big Ten) 2. Michigan (10-2, 7-2) 3. Michigan State (9-3, 6-3) 4. Penn State (8-4, 6-3) 5. Maryland (6-6, 3-6) 6. Rutgers (4-8, 2-7) 7. Indiana (4-8, 2-7) WEST 1. Wisconsin (9-4, 6-3) 2. Purdue (8-4, 6-3) 3. Iowa (8-4, 5-4) 4. Minnesota (7-5, 4-5) 5. Nebraska (6-6, 4-5) 6. Illinois (6-6, 3-6) 7. Northwestern (4-8, 1-8) Championship Game: Ohio State over Wisconsin. Michigan's Big Ten rank (overall): 2nd. Michigan's national rank: 6th. LINDY'S EAST 1. Ohio State (no records projected) 2. Michigan 3. Michigan State 4. Penn State 5. Maryland 6. Indiana 7. Rutgers WEST 1. Wisconsin 2. Iowa 3. Purdue 4. Nebraska 5. Minnesota 6. Northwestern 7. Illinois Championship Game: Ohio State over Wisconsin. Michigan's Big Ten rank (overall): 2nd. Michigan's national rank: 6th. PHIL STEELE EAST 1. Ohio State (no records projected) 2. Michigan 3. Penn State 4. Michigan State 5. Maryland 6. Indiana 7. Rutgers WEST 1. Wisconsin 2. Iowa T3. Minnesota T3. Nebraska 5. Purdue T6. Northwestern T6. Illinois Championship Game: Did not pick. Michigan's Big Ten rank (overall): 2nd. Michigan's national rank: 5th. ATHLON 1st 2nd 3rd School Team Team Team Total Ohio State 8 4 2 14 Michigan 4 3 4 11 Iowa 4 4 2 10 Michigan State 3 3 3 9 Penn State 2 2 2 6 Maryland 0 2 4 6 Wisconsin 3 1 1 5 Minnesota 1 1 3 5 Purdue 0 3 1 4 Illinois 0 2 2 4 Nebraska 1 1 1 3 Northwestern 1 1 1 3 Rutgers 1 0 2 3 Indiana 0 1 0 1 LINDY'S 1st 2nd 3rd School Team Team Team Total Ohio State 7 2 2 11 Michigan 4 4 2 10 Iowa 4 1 3 8 Minnesota 1 1 5 7 Purdue 0 5 1 6 Michigan State 3 2 0 5 Wisconsin 3 1 1 5 Penn State 2 3 0 5 Maryland 0 2 3 5 Northwestern 1 1 2 4 Indiana 0 1 2 3 Nebraska 0 1 2 3 Illinois 0 1 1 2 Rutgers 0 0 1 1 PHIL STEELE 1st 2nd 3rd 4th School Team Team Team Team Total Michigan 3 4 6 1 14 Ohio State 6 4 1 2 13 Penn State 2 4 1 5 12 Maryland 1 2 3 4 10 Michigan State 4 2 2 1 9 Purdue 1 3 3 2 9 Minnesota 1 2 5 1 9 Iowa 3 2 0 2 7 Northwestern 1 2 2 2 7 Illinois 0 2 1 4 7 Indiana 1 0 2 3 6 Wisconsin 3 0 1 1 5 Rutgers 1 2 1 1 5 Nebraska 2 0 1 0 3 Preseason Magazines Predict The Big Ten Preseason All-Big Ten Honorees By School "This year they have an improved offense, and my No. 1 offensive line and No. 1 special teams unit in the country. They will likely be 11-0 when they travel to Columbus but will need to win there for the first time since 2000. If they do, they are a national title contender." COLLEGE FOOTBALL EXPERT PHIL STEELE ON THE WOLVERINES