The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1490206
36 THE WOLVERINE FEBRUARY 2023 36 THE WOLVERINE FEBRUARY 2023 2023 LOOK AHEAD DEFENSIVE BACKS BY ANTHONY BROOME RETURNING STARTERS Graduate Mike Sainristil Sainristil made a seamless transition from wide receiver to nickel corner dur- ing the 2022 season and became an hon- orable mention All-Big Ten performer. He was the team's fourth-leading tack- ler with 58 stops, including 6.5 for a loss, and his 7 pass breakups were second best on the squad, none bigger than his highlight-reel play in the end zone at Ohio State. Returning for a fifth season, he likely will retain his status as a team captain. Senior Makari Paige The media voted Paige an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection after a breakout season that saw him make six starts. He finished with 41 total tackles and had an interception at Ohio State. Senior R.J. Moten Moten made nine starts at strong safety for the Wolverines in 2022, rack- ing up 31 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a key interception against Maryland. Junior Rod Moore Moore, who is a film junkie and among the team's savviest players, was an honorable mention All-Big Ten per- former after posting a team-high 4 in- terceptions and 71 total tackles (third best) at free safety in 2022. Sophomore Will Johnson The former five-star recruit was a revelation for U-M, living up to his lofty hype with Freshman All-America hon- ors from Pro Football Focus. Johnson played in all 14 games and recorded 3 interceptions (second behind Moore) in his first year on the job. Two of those picks came versus Purdue in the Big Ten Championship game. He will enter the offseason as the team's undisputed top cornerback. OTHER RETURNERS Graduate German Green His twin brother, Gemon, is off to the 2023 NFL Draft, but German will return for a sixth season in Ann Ar- bor. He had 5 total tackles in a special teams and reserve role during the 2022 campaign. Graduate Quinten Johnson Johnson appeared in all 14 games as a reserve defensive back and special teamer in 2022, recording 11 total tack- les and 1 tackle for loss. Graduate Caden Kolesar He made the first punt block of his career in a Sept. 17 win over UConn and worked his way into a special teams ace and reserve defensive back role before tearing his ACL at Iowa. Graduate Jalen Perry Perry played in 9 games for the Wol- verines and recorded 2 tackles on the season. Junior Ja'Den McBurrows McBurrows never saw game action in 2022 while returning from a knee injury, then eventual facial injuries suffered in the post-MSU fallout. He could be a dark horse candidate to emerge in a much bigger role in the U-M cornerback rotation in 2023. Sophomore Zeke Berry Michigan was able to get Berry into a pair of games this season, playing in a reserve role against UConn and on special teams vs. Nebraska. Sophomore Keon Sabb Sabb did not record a statistic as a freshman but participated in four con- tests for the Wolverines in 2022 (Colo- rado State, Hawai'i, UConn, Indiana). 2023 ANALYSIS Michigan has a future All-American at cornerback in Will Johnson, who flashed his natural ability and play-making skills as a true freshman. He will enter his sophomore season as U-M's top player at the position, but who starts on the other side of him could be this roster's biggest question. Mike Sainristil held down the fort in nickel situations, but could he get some time on the boundary? Time will tell. Ja'Den McBurrows and Myles Pollard could be sleepers at the position, and there will be plenty of competition for reps. The door may even be open for a freshman to step in, headlined by four-star signee Jyaire Hill. Do not be surprised to see U-M hit the transfer portal for help at cornerback, whether it is a plug-and-play starter or another body to add to the competition. The Wolverines are rock-solid at safety with Rod Moore, Makari Paige and R.J. Moten set to return in 2023. There is still enough stability on the back end to feel confident in what Steve Clinkscale and Jay Harbaugh put on the field. — Anthony Broome PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL