The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1490206
FEBRUARY 2023 THE WOLVERINE 25 Wolverines are witnessing a modest jailbreak from The Big House. In moves made since the Fiesta Bowl, Michigan's top two defensive linemen announced their intentions to make their move for the NFL once their sea- son ended. Senior defensive tackle Mazi Smith and senior edge rusher Mike Morris let it be known they would not return for remaining eligibility in 2023. A consensus first-team All-Big Ten performer in 2022, Smith recorded 48 tackles, including a half-sack and 2.5 tackles for loss. Morris earned second- team All-America honors, and like Smith captured consensus first-team All-Big Ten plaudits, becoming the league's Smith-Brown Big Ten Defen- sive Lineman of the Year. Senior cornerback DJ Turner also let it be known he's played his last game for the Wolverines. Turner became a second-team All-Big Ten selection (coaches) in 2022, recording 36 tackles, 11 pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery this year. Not long afterward, starting grad cor- nerback Gemon Green made the same call. His final season at Michigan fea- tured a rough final couple of months, after Michigan State players assaulted him in the U-M tunnel following the Wolverines' win over the Spartans. Green played sporadically thereaf- ter, finishing with 20 tackles and 4 pass breakups. On the offensive side, grad captain Ronnie Bell — with a sixth year remain- ing had he so chosen — announced his NFL intentions. Bell led Michigan this year with 62 catches for 889 yards and 4 touchdowns. Joining Bell with NFL intentions is fifth-year senior tight end Luke Schoonmaker. Schoonmaker wound up with 35 catches for 418 yards and 3 touchdowns, while battling injury over the final several games. Mea nwh i l e , s eve ra l Wo lve r i n e s headed to the transfer portal follow- ing the season's end. Sophomore wide- out Andrel Anthony (Oklahoma), grad edge rushers Eyabi Okie, Taylor Up- shaw (Colorado) and Julius Welschof, and freshman linebacker Deuce Spur- lock (Florida) all let it be known they are transferring. On the other hand, Michigan led the nation in pulling in quality transfers, gar- nering several potential starters for 2023. "What has been disappointing, I'm sure, for Michigan fans, has been that after two historic seasons … they have not capitalized with top-five, top-10 recruiting classes the last two years," Bacon pointed out. "I'm sure that's frustrating for them. "But they more than make up for it with the transfer portal, which is a very healthy sign. Those guys can go wherever they want, and I don't care if you're a five-star. As Bo [Schembechler] told me, 'That's great. You beat up on Catholic Central and Brother Rice, but they're not on my schedule.' "You're playing the Spartans this year and the Buckeyes, and how many five- stars, four-stars have we seen that don't end up doing that much, because it's a different level and you just don't know. "A transfer, you know. Even though Mel Tucker made a career out of the portal last year, I don't know anyone who has done it more effectively than Jim Harbaugh, including a Rimington Award winner. You're getting a proven commodity, and they plug right in." Bacon insists these are the good old days. "Short of a national title, these two years are the best two years in Michigan football history since 1947-48," he ar- gued. "Fritz Crisler and Bennie Ooster- baan, undefeated seasons, national champs. It's the next best thing. All the more reason for Michigan fans to be grateful for what Harbaugh has done." Now, they all can set their sights on doing more. ❏ TRACKING THE EXITS NFL Draft Ronnie Bell, Gr., WR*# Gemon Green, Gr., CB* Ryan Hayes, Gr., OT*# Mike Morris, Sr., Edge* Jake Moody, Gr., K^ Olusegun Oluwatimi, Gr., C# Brad Robbins, Gr., P! Mazi Smith, Sr., DL * Luke Schoonmaker, Gr., TE*^ DJ Turner, Sr., CB* * declared for NFL Draft with eligibility remaining ^ will play in East-West Shrine Bowl, Feb. 2 # will play in Senior Bowl, Feb. 4 ! accepted invitation to NFL Draft Com- bine, Feb. 26-March 6 Transfer Portal (New School) Erick All, Sr., TE (Iowa) Andrel Anthony, So., WR (Oklahoma) Alan Bowman, Gr., QB (Oklahoma State) Louis Hansen, So., TE (UConn) Cade McNamara, Gr., QB (Iowa) Eyabi Okie, Gr., Edge George Rooks, So., DL (Boston College) Deuce Spurlock, Fr., LB (Florida) Taylor Upshaw, Gr., Edge (Colorado) Julius Welschof, Gr., Edge Senior cornerback DJ Turner, a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches in 2022, declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. He recorded 36 tackles, 11 pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery last season. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL