The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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62 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JANUARY 2024 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE T hree Wolverines are in position to contend to make the trip to Orlando for this season's Pro Bowl. The NFL re- leased early results for Pro Bowl ballot- ing Dec. 6, and three former Michigan standouts checked in among the top 10 at their respective positions. Voting closes Dec. 25. Detroit Lions star Aidan Hutchinson was seventh among defensive ends, Josh Metellus (Minnesota Vikings) was No. 7 among strong safeties and Rashan Gary (Green Bay Packers) slotted eighth among outside linebackers. A Plymouth, Mich., native, Hutchin- son is a fan favorite on the Lions' de- fense, with 6.5 sacks to lead a team that has only five players with multiple quarterback takedowns. Metellus is enjoying a breakout sea- son, after earning a two-year contract extension just before the campaign be- gan. His 88 tackles rank second on a Vikings defense that checks in 10th in the league by allowing only 311.2 yards per contest. Gary, meanwhile, has had quite the comeback season. He suffered a torn ACL nine games into the 2022 campaign but has returned stronger than ever for the Packers in 2023. His 9 sacks are only a half-sack shy of his career best (9.5 in 16 games in 2021). FORMER WOLVERINES IN THE NFL Through Dec. 11 • Ronnie Bell (played at U-M from 2018-22), WR, San Francisco 49ers: Played in all 13 games for the 10-3 49ers, hauling in 4 receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown and returning 6 punts for 38 yards. • Ben Bredeson (2016-19), G, New York Gi- ants: Started all 12 games in which he's appeared for the 5-8 Giants — two at left guard, four at center and the last six at right guard. • Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Seattle Seahawks: Appeared in nine outings off the bench for the 6-7 ❱ MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Three Wolverines In Contention For Pro Bowl A fourth-year pro, Josh Metellus' 88 tackles rank second on a Minnesota Vikings defense that checks in 10th in the NFL by allowing only 311.2 yards per contest. PHOTO BY ANDY KENUTIS / MINNESOTA VIKINGS