The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2022 THE WOLVERINE 41 two seasons and transferred to Nevada this offseason. JAYLEN HARRELL EDGE ★★★★ Appeared in all 14 games with four starts in 2021, after seeing special teams snaps in four contests the prior year. He recorded 15 tackles (2.5 for loss) and 1 quarterback hurry last season. He's near the top of the depth chart heading into this fall. A.J. HENNING WR ★★★★ Played in all six games with one start in 2020, catching 6 passes for 59 yards and rushing 3 times for 15 yards. Appeared in all 14 outings last season, with 10 recep- tions for 79 yards and 9 carries for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns. He emerged as a return man, too, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors after notching 7 kick returns for 177 yards and 1 TD along with 29 punt returns for 274 yards. His role is expected to expand this fall, with U-M moving him around on offense, including to running back at times. MATTHEW HIBNER TE ★★★ Did not see game action his first year before playing eight games last season, primarily on special teams. He's still a ways down on the depth chart, consider- ing all of U-M's tight ends returned this year. NIKHAI HILL-GREEN LB ★★★★ Played in three games on special teams in 2020 and appeared in 14 outings with six starts in 2021. For the latter season, he made 50 stops (2 for loss) and broke up 1 pass. He's a projected starter at the Mike linebacker position this year. KRIS JENKINS DT ★★★ Competed in one contest on the defen- sive line in 2020 but earned a contribut- ing role last season. He started four of his 14 games and made 22 tackles (0.5 for loss). He put on 10 pounds this offseason and is now up to 285. He's projected to start at defensive tackle. AARON LEWIS DT ★★★ Enrolled early in 2020 but decided to transfer that summer. He wound up at Rutgers, nearer to his hometown of Wil- liamstown, N.J. He totaled 30 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble in 11 games for the Scarlet Knights in 2021, after notch- ing 12 stops and 1 sack in eight games in 2020. BRAIDEN McGREGOR EDGE ★★★★ Did not see game action as a freshman after suffering an injury as a prep senior. He played in nine games, mostly on spe- cial teams in 2021, when he registered 5 tackles (1 for loss) and 1 quarterback hurry. He is pushing for playing time and a potential breakout player heading into the 2022 campaign. WILLIAM MOHAN LB ★★★ Appeared in one game and recorded 1 tackle in 2020, before transferring to Tennessee the following offseason. He notched 9 tackles in four appearances for the Volunteers last year. JORDAN MORANT S ★★★★ Did not play in 2020 and saw eight games of action, mostly on special teams, in 2021, posting 1 tackle. He transferred to Mississippi State this offseason. R.J. MOTEN S ★★★★ Saw time in one contest on special teams as a freshman, before becoming a break- out contributor in 2021. He appeared in all 14 games with four starts at safety and made 34 tackles with 4 passes broken up and 1 interception. He's a projected starter and emerging leader this fall. KALEL MULLINGS LB/RB ★★★★ Played in all six games on special teams and four at linebacker in 2020, when he made 1 tackle and broke up 1 pass. He then appeared in 13 outings, playing line- backer in 10, last year while making 11 tackles. This past spring, he began rep- ping at running back in addition to line- backer, and he could play both ways this season. MAKARI PAIGE S ★★★★ Appeared in all six games his first year, registering 6 tackles. His role diminished in 2021, when he played in nine contests and made 2 tackles. JEFFREY PERSI OL ★★★★ Did not play his first year before appear- ing in two games at left tackle last season. He's pushing for a backup left tackle role this year. OSMAN SAVAGE LB ★★★★ Entered the transfer portal in September 2020 ahead of what would have been his freshman season at U-M. He's now at Alabama A&M (an FCS school), where he has totaled 5 tackles in five career games. ANDRE SELDON CB ★★★★ Played in one game in each of his two seasons at U-M, before transferring this offseason. He's now at New Mexico State. DAN VILLARI QB ★★★ Redshirted with no appearances his first year before appearing in four games in 2021. He completed 1 of 3 pass attempts for 26 yards and added 41 rushing yards on 9 carries. Villari transferred to Syracuse this offseason. ROMAN WILSON WR ★★★★ Saw time in all six tilts in 2020, catching 9 passes for 122 yards with 1 touchdown. Played in 13 games with five starts last season, registering 25 receptions for 420 yards and 2 touchdowns. He's slated to have a big role once again this season. CORNELL WHEELER LB ★★★ Did not see game action in 2020 and transferred to Kansas the following off- season. He played in eight clashes for the Jayhawks and made 1 tackle in 2021. ZAK ZINTER OL ★★★★ Made an immediate impact by starting four of six games in 2020. Played in 13 games with 12 starts in 2021, missing the season opener with a wrist injury. He was named second-team All-Big Ten by the media and given an honorable mention nod by the coaches. One of the team's three returning starting offensive line- men, he will once again hold down the right guard spot. ❏ TOP CONTRIBUTOR TO DATE RB Blake Corum He was a breakout star last season, serving as the perfect "lightning" to Hassan Haskins' "thunder." His shifti- ness and speed set him apart and give him big-play ability, with 47 percent of his rushing yards coming on runs of 15 or more yards in 2021 per Pro Football Focus. UNSUNG HERO WR Roman Wilson He hasn't been considered the Wol- verines' No. 1 receiver at any point in his career, but he's been steady and made big plays during his two sea- sons. His 3 touchdown receptions were tied for the team lead last sea- son, and he had eight multi-catch contests. READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT THIS FALL Edge Braiden McGregor He's patiently waited his turn, and now the depth chart at the edge spot has cleared out a bit. McGregor had a great spring and has received praise from teammates and coaches during fall camp, with defensive coordinator Jesse Minter mentioning him among the Wolverines who will contend for having the most sacks this year.