The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS 16 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2022 BY THE NUMBERS No. 22 Overall 2023 NFL Draft prospect is where Michigan senior edge MIKE MORRIS checked in on ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.'s big board released Nov. 3. Morris slotted as the third-best defensive end. "It's rare to see a guy as big as Morris play- ing on his feet as a stand-up edge rusher, but he moves extremely well for his size," Kiper wrote. "Morris could be considered a bit of a late bloomer, but he was playing behind two great talents last season [Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo]; he had only a half-sack in three starts in 2021. "This season, Morris has 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble, and he pops when I put on the tape be- cause of his size and traits. He could keep rising as we get closer to the draft in April." 21 21 Points for Michigan freshman guard Jett Howard in the Wolverines' 75-56 win over Purdue Fort Wayne to start the 2022-23 season, the most by a U-M freshman in a season opener since Ja- mal Crawford poured in an identical number in an 82-62 victory over Oak- land Nov. 19, 1999. 10 10-0 -0 Start for Michigan football, its first time since 2006, second since 1997 and third time since 1974. 3 Michigan women's basketball signees in head coach Kim Barnes Arico's 2023 class. All three mem- bers rate as top-100 recruits per ESPN.com, led by guard Taylor Woodson at No. 59. Guards Macy Brown (No. 74) and Katy Eidle (No. 77) are both four-star prospects, as well. 2 Interceptions — in- cluding a pick-six — for Michigan g r a d u a t e l i n e b a c k e r M I C H A E L B A R R E T T during the Maize and Blue's 52-17 win over Rutgers Nov. 5, mark- ing the first time a Wo l ve r i n e h a s h a d multiple picks in a con- test since safety Delano Hill versus Maryland in 2016. 1st N a t i o n a l l y i s w h e r e M i c h i - g a n's d e f e n s e ranked in stop rate, a new-age statistic from The Athletic that calculates the percent- age of a defense's drives that end in punts, turnovers or a turnover on downs, head- ing into Week 11. The Maize and Blue had an 83.7 percent stop rate and were allowing just 0.91 points per drive. I just thank God for these opportunities be- cause I'm living the dream. I grew up wanting to play here, play on the highest level … and starting as a freshman, that's a blessing, for sure." — Michigan freshman cornerback Will Johnson following his first ca- reer start Nov. 5 at Rutgers in which he notched his first interception What I love so much about him is that he's been there. He has been in that situation. He knows that when you are in the game, you are in your own world and he does not want to mess with anything. But he is always so encouraging. If he sees something, he is always going to let me know and give his advice, but he lets me be and play my own game." — Sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy on head coach Jim Harbaugh He just does all the things that you want to put in the mixing pot and make the win cookie with. He does everything necessary to win." — South Kent (Conn.) School head coach Raphael Chillious on four-star Michigan basketball center signee Papa Kante PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL