The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1477128
38 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2022 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE M ichigan's 2019 class was ranked No. 7 overall nation- ally in the On3 Consensus, and its presence was most felt last season when several players made big impacts during the Wolver- ines' run to the Big Ten champion- ship and the College Football Playoff. More individuals will contribute in even bigger ways this season and have the chance to cement their legacies by shooting for another Big Ten title. Here's an in-depth look at their ca- reers to this point. Recruiting Name Pos. Stars ERICK ALL TE ★★★★ Caught 13 passes for 92 yards in his first two years combined. He ranked second on the team in catches (38) and receiving yards (437) with 2 touchdowns in 2021 and also was a high-level run blocker. The Mackey Award preseason watch list member will be featured prominently in the offense this fall. KARSEN BARNHART OL ★★★★ Opened six of his 18 career games, includ- ing four starts at left tackle and two at left guard. He played in 10 games last season, mostly as a backup, but is fighting for the right tackle job during fall camp. Either way, he's in the top six this year and should have a role. ZACH CARPENTER OL ★★★ Did not see action during his freshman season, when he was named Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year. He started two games at center and appeared in five in 2020, before transferring to Indiana in December 2020. He started three of his five tilts in 2021 and is in line to start for the Hoosiers this fall. ZACH CHARBONNET RB ★★★★ Started six games and appeared in all 13 in 2019, carrying 149 times for a team-high 726 yards. His 11 rushing touchdowns set U-M's freshman record for a single sea- son. In 2020, he registered 19 rushes for 124 yards and 1 touchdown in five out- ings with two starts, before transferring to UCLA. There, he led all Pac-12 rushers with seven 100-plus-yard games and totaled 1,137 rushing yards and 13 scores in 2021. He will suit up again for UCLA this fall. DAXTON HILL S ★★★★★+ Made 36 tackles with 3 for loss, 2 fumble recoveries, 4 pass breakups and 1 intercep- tion in 13 games with three starts in 2019. He opened all six outings in 2020, finishing second on the squad with 46 stops, while adding 5 pass breakups and 1 pick. He was one of U-M's top players in 2021, earn- ing first-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches after making 69 tackles, 4.5 for loss, 11 pass breakups and 2 interceptions. He was drafted in the first round (31st overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals, the NFL's reigning AFC champions. CHRISTOPHER HINTON DL ★★★★★ Contributed as a backup with one start in 12 games in 2019, notching 9 tackles with a half-stop for loss, before opening four of his six appearances in 2020. He generated 13 tackles with 2 for loss, 1 sack and a pair of pass breakups. Last year was his best season, which included 33 stops, 1.5 behind the line of scrimmage, 1 sack, 2 pass break- ups and 2 fumble recoveries. GILES JACKSON WR ★★★★ Appeared in all 13 games with one start in 2019, registering 9 catches for 142 yards and 1 score. He played in five games with three starts in 2020, leading the team in all- purpose yards while racking up 15 catches for 167 yards. He transferred to Washington — making a return trip to The Big House with the Huskies, who lost 31-10 — and hauled in 8 grabs for 87 yards in 2021. CORNELIUS JOHNSON WR ★★★★ Reeled in 16 catches for 254 yards and a team-high 3 touchdown receptions in 2020, after appearing in 12 games and notching 4 grabs for 61 yards and 1 score in 2019. Last year, he led the squad with 39 receptions for 620 yards and tied for the team lead with 3 receiving touchdowns. He is a favorite to start once again this year. GEORGE JOHNSON CB/WR ★★★ Began his career as a wide receiver, be- fore converting to cornerback ahead of the 2020 season. He appeared in just four career games — all in 2021 — in a winged helmet before transferring to UMass this offseason. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said he "wouldn't be surprised if he has a tremendous year this year" for head coach Don Brown (for- mer U-M defensive coordinator) with the Minutemen. QUINTEN JOHNSON S ★★★★ Played in 16 career contests on special teams, 14 of which came in 2021, and is pushing for playing time at safety this fall after a nice spring game. TRENTE JONES OL ★★★★ Served as Michigan's extra lineman in jumbo packages last season, playing in 14 games with two starts. He had appeared in just one game in 2020 after redshirting the prior campaign. Now, he's leading the right tackle battle with Karsen Barnhart and should be a huge factor in 2022. TREVOR KEEGAN OL ★★★★ Redshirted in 2019 and appeared in five games as a backup in 2020, before break- READY TO LEAD Many Of Michigan's 2019 Class Members Are Now The Team's Most Prominent Voices 2019 CLASS REVIEW Senior wide receiver Cornelius Johnson led Michigan last year with 39 catches and 620 yards receiving. He also tied for the team lead with 3 touchdown catches. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL