The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2022 THE WOLVERINE 43 Football Club, ESPN.com and On3. Colson is U-M's most talented linebacker heading into this season. GREG CRIPPEN OL ★★★★ U-M's lone freshman offensive lineman to burn his redshirt in 2021, he quickly ascended into the two-deep at center af- ter enrolling early. He played in six games and is slated as graduate transfer Oluse- gun Oluwatimi's backup this year. CRISTIAN DIXON WR ★★★★ Saw time in one game and caught 1 pass for 7 yards his first year. He still has a way to go before cracking the rotation, by all accounts. TOMMY DOMAN K/P Did not see game action in 2021 and remains behind graduate students Jake Moody and Brad Robbins at kicker and punter, respectively. TAVIERRE DUNLAP RB ★★★ Appeared in two games and carried 7 times for 51 yards a year ago. He's vying to be U-M's third running back this season, with Harbaugh mentioning him as a top contender for that role. DONOVAN EDWARDS RB ★★★★ Played in 12 outings as a freshman. He rushed 35 times for 174 yards and 2 touchdowns and caught 20 passes for 265 yards and 1 score. His breakout game came at Maryland, when he caught 10 passes for 170 yards (a U-M running back single-game record) and 1 TD. The versa- tile Edwards even threw for a 75-yard TD against Iowa in the Big Ten Champion- ship. He will rotate and play alongside junior Blake Corum in the backfield. GIOVANNI EL-HADI OL ★★★★ Played in one game at left guard as a freshman and is in the mix for backup time on the interior of the line this year. DOMINICK GIUDICE DT ★★★ Competed in two tilts his first season and appears to be buried on the depth chart at a talented position as it stands now. TJ GUY EDGE ★★★ Played in two contests his first year, reg- istering 2 tackles and 1 sack in a win at Maryland. He had a great spring, per the coaching staff, and is battling for a big role at edge this fall. LOUIS HANSEN TE ★★★★ Saw time in one game in 2021 and con- tinues to compete for playing time. His position group is loaded, though, with four upperclassmen on the roster, making it tough to envision him receiving signifi- cant snaps in 2022. JAYDON HOOD LB ★★★★ Tallied 1 tackle in his lone appearance as a freshman. He's competing for a backup spot this year. IKE IWUNNAH DT ★★★ Did not see game action in 2021 and is expected to play a reserve role in 2022. JA'DEN McBURROWS CB ★★★ Impressed in practice and his four games last season, recording 2 tackles and breaking up 1 pass. He suffered a leg injury at the end of the campaign, though, and wasn't fully healthy at the start of fall camp. He's still recovering, but co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale said he'll "definitely have a part in the sec- ondary" when he becomes available. J.J. McCARTHY QB ★★★★ Played in 11 games and rotated in situ- ationally at quarterback. He completed 34 of his 59 pass attempts (57.6 percent) for 516 yards with 5 touchdowns and 2 inter- ceptions, plus added 124 rushing yards and 2 scores. After being limited most of the offseason due to shoulder soreness, he's competing with senior Cade McNa- mara for the starting job, a battle that could well go into the season. Regard- less of how that shakes out, expect an increased role from him this year. TYLER McLAURIN EDGE/LB ★★★ Played middle linebacker last season but switched to edge this offseason. He played in one game in 2021 and appears to be a reserve heading into this fall. ROD MOORE S ★★★ Known for watching more film than any other Wolverine (yes, U-M tracks that), Moore enrolled last summer but quickly earned the trust of his coaches and team- mates. He played in 11 games with four starts at safety, also contributing as a nickel back. The Ohio native made 32 tackles with 1 pass broken up and tied atop the squad with a career-high 9 stops in its rivalry tilt against Ohio State. He missed the spring with a shoulder injury, but Harbaugh said he picked up right where he left off after a couple days of shaking off the rust during fall camp. GEORGE ROOKS DT ★★★★ Played in three games his first year but didn't register any statistics. He stood out in the spring and is battling for playing time this fall. ❏ REPORT CARD Players In Class: 22 On3 Consensus Team Ranking: 14th Players Still At Michigan: 22 This class was likely a bit underrated, and it's proving itself within the program on a daily basis. Of note, not a single Wolverine from this group has transferred. By all accounts, they fit in well with the U-M culture, and several have already made big impacts. There are plenty of others who are primed to break through this season, too. A TOP CONTRIBUTOR TO DATE LB Junior Colson It was a matter of when, not if, Colson took over a starting spot last season, and it occurred halfway through the season. Harbaugh has compared him to former U-M linebacker and two-time All-American Devin Bush, and the sky's the limit. UNSUNG HERO S Rod Moore Young for his grade, Moore just turned 19 in July. Instead of being a five-star recruit last fall, he was a contributor on U-M's stellar defense, becoming a starter in four of the final five games. He was the pleasant surprise of the class. He's just "different," co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale said in August of Moore's preparedness and football IQ. READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT THIS FALL DT Rayshaun Benny U-M is stocking talent in a hurry at defensive tackle, but Benny has all the tools to have a breakout season. He likely won't be a full-time starter, but he could have a contributing role similar to that of junior Kris Jenkins last season (22 tackles).