The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1503142
32 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2023 SEASON PREVIEW Michigan's 25-man group of incoming freshmen was "only" ranked No. 18 in the On3.com Industry Ranking, compiled from the four major recruiting services, but the coaches love their haul. They're complemented by nine incoming portal transfers, many of whom will vie for starting jobs. Sticking with the freshmen, though, here's our list of most likely to see the field in 2023: 1 Cornerback JYAIRE HILL — Hill might not be on the Will Johnson path — from green frosh to the team's best corner by the end of the year — but he's not that far behind. Defensive coordina- tor Jesse Minter said as much this spring after Hill looked the part of a sticky corner with great upside in the April 1 spring game, capping an outstanding first practice session. The 6-foot-2, 171-pounder has a very bright future. 2 Wide receiver Fredrick Moore — One of the spring's most pleasant surprises, Moore im- pressed with his speed from the jump … and then he showed off excellent hands and playmaking ability. He caught 4 passes for 62 yards, including an impressive over-the-shoulder 41-yard grab in the spring game. Though he's slight at 6-foot-1, 176 pounds, he's got great potential … and he's got plenty of time to add good weight. 3 Defensive end Enow Etta — Michigan is deep on the edges, but Etta is unique. He's extremely flexible at 6-foot-5, 270 pounds, and he has a knack for getting to the ball. He notched 122 total tack- les, including 34 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 2 touchdowns last year for his Col- leyville (Texas) Covenant Christian squad. We could see him getting some time on third-down passing plays this year. 4 Running back Benjamin Hall — There aren't going to be a lot of carries available for the third back behind senior Blake Corum and junior Donovan Edwards. Veteran Kalel Mullings is now a full-time running back, too, and CJ Stokes will be vy- ing for time in his sophomore season. At the same time, running backs coach Mike Hart said Hall is going to be "special," and he showed it this spring. He carried 13 times for 96 yards and a score, and as Corum noted, "he's just getting started playing the game." 5 Safety DJ Waller — "Only" a three-star prospect out of Youngstown, Ohio, Waller has a nose for the ball and loves to hit. He'll be an outstanding safety in time — this year, though, we wouldn't be surprised (at all) to see the 6-foot-3, 195-pounder playing on special teams. 2 Nov. 11 at Penn State — This is an inter- esting rivalry in that Michigan often thrashes the Nittany Lions at home but struggles in Happy Valley. The same can be said of many teams, of course — State College is a tough place to play — and it might be even tougher this year with the team PSU brings back. James Franklin's group will have a first-year starter at quarterback in the talented Drew Allar, but the running backs are the guys carrying the load. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen are an outstanding duo. The Nits are always tough defensively and should be again. They got pushed around by the Michigan of- fensive line last year, though, and will have something to prove. 3 Oct. 21 at Michigan State — The Spartans usually give Michigan a game in East Lansing, but they've at least had a few real threats in the game in the past. They're lacking at the skill positions this year (to say the least), especially with quarterback Payton Thorne and receiver Keon Coleman having transferred, and their secondary also appears to be extremely weak. This will be an emotional game, however, given their reaction to last year's loss in Ann Arbor in which several of their players were arrested and others suspended for assaulting a pair of Wolverines in the tunnel. Michi- gan is much more talented, but you know MSU will bring the effort. 4 Oct. 7 at Minnesota — The Golden Gophers could well present a bigger challenge than the Spartans, especially with U-M coming off a road trip to Ne- braska — not a great team this year, most likely, but a tough place to play. P.J. Fleck's team also has some talent. Six of the Gophers' players are projected as All-Big Ten choices (first, second, or third team) by Athlon Sports. 5 Nov. 18 at Maryland — The Ter- rapins gave Michigan a game for a good portion of last year's contest, but the Wolverines pulled away late. Mary- land has several good players returning, especially on offense and starting with record-breaking quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa. The Terps have some outstanding receivers, too, and four returning offensive linemen. TOP FIVE TRUE FRESHMAN CANDIDATES TO PLAY 1 Nov. 25 vs. Ohio State — The more things change, the more they stay the same. This was, is, and always will be 'The Game' on the schedule for the Wolverines, and it means everything again now that the two teams are back on even footing. Heading into last season, the Buckeyes and their fans tried to play the "fluke" card even though Michigan dominated in all facets during a 42-27 home win. Snow, the flu … they used all the excuses they could think of to explain it away, insisting the 2022 game in Columbus would prove who was re- ally the king of the Big Ten. Well, it did — just not in the way they envisioned. Michigan plastered them again. OSU will bring a first-year quarterback into this year's contest with added pres- sure to avoid three losses in a row. They'd better bring their 'A' game. All signs point to U-M and Ohio State being on a collision course for another winner-take-all matchup this November. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL TOP FIVE MOST ANTICIPATED GAMES