The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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20 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JUNE/JULY 2024 "I'm just happy to be back with him. I went to Michigan for a reason, he was that reason," Colson said of Harbaugh. "He picked me again. I'm blessed and highly favored, and I can't wait to get to work for him." "He has the size, he's a downhill 'backer, but he can also go sideline-to- sideline," Harbaugh said. "He knows the system. A big-time competitor." Colson was the third linebacker cho- sen this season and the highest-drafted Michigan linebacker since Josh Uche in 2020 (No. 60 overall to New England). RB BLAKE CORUM Third Round, No. 83 Overall Los Angeles Rams Michigan's all-time leader in total touchdowns (61) and rushing scores (58) became the program's highest-selected running back since Anthony Thomas went No. 38 overall in the second round of the 2001 draft. While he accomplished an immense amount in Ann Arbor, Corum is ready for the next chapter. "For me, the main goal is I would love to win a Super Bowl, get the Lombardi Trophy," Corum stated. "That's the main goal. I believe that's the goal because that puts the team first, and that's the type of guy I am. I believe in winning — that's the only thing that matters." Corum, the third running back to be drafted in 2024, joins a Rams running back group headlined by third-year pro Kyren Williams, who ranked third in the NFL with 1,144 yards last season. "I know he's going to help me get better, I'm going to push him to be the best ver- sion of himself and it's going to be a great tandem, a great duo," Corum said. WR ROMAN WILSON Third Round, No. 84 Overall Pittsburgh Steelers Wilson was the 14th wide receiver off the board in what was considered a loaded draft at the position. He became Michi- gan's second top-100 wide receiver in the Harbaugh era, joining Nico Collins (No. 89 overall in 2021). The Maui, Hawai'i, native led the Wol- verines with 48 catches for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and feels like he has much more to prove at the next level. "Someone that is hungry and looking to make the most out of every opportunity," Wilson said of how he describes himself. "Someone that's been doubted on and wants to prove everybody wrong. I felt like I was a top-10 receiver. Just watching a lot of receivers go in front of me, I feel like a lot of people doubted me." "He's a good player, he's competitive, he creates separation at breakpoints," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said. "He's battle-tested on the interior por- tions of the field. He comes from a win- ning program. You can't say enough about the 'winning' component." OL ZAK ZINTER Third Round, No. 85 Overall Cleveland Browns Offensive guard Zak Zinter capped off a string of three straight Wolverines picked, which elicited cheers from the crowd in Detroit. He was the first of three Michigan offensive linemen picked and became the 10th of 12 selections at the position over the last five drafts. Zinter missed the combine and Michi- gan's pro day after breaking his left tibia and fibula Nov. 25 against Ohio State, but he said he's been medically cleared and expects to compete in rookie minicamp in May. Browns general manager Andrew Berry said the organization has "no con- cerns" about the leg injury. "Zak, we just thought, was a rock- solid all-around player his entire career at Michigan," Berry said of the pick. "He was really the heartbeat of their culture when we met with him throughout the pre-draft process. Very smart, profes- sional, passionate about football, and I think his blue-collar mentality will really fit well within our offensive line room." TE AJ BARNER Fourth Round, No. 121 Overall Seattle Seahawks Barner, who recorded 22 receptions for 249 yards and a touchdown last season, was the first pick of Day 3 for the Wol- verines in the Motor City. He is headed to play for former Michigan defensive co- ordinator and new Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald. "Sneaky well-rounded TE who wasn't a major part of the passing offense at Mich- igan but flashed when featured," CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso wrote, grading the pick an A. "Not fast but changes gears and is flexible, so has separation ability. Text- book, solid blocker with power and great hand-placement consistency. Some YAC ability too because of contact balance. I like this add." Barner came to Michigan to help com- pete for a championship. The goal is the same as he transitions to life as a Seahawk. "I'm here to win championships," Barner said in his introductory conference call. "I love football and I just want to help the team out however I can." OG TREVOR KEEGAN Fifth Round, No. 172 Overall Philadelphia Eagles The other star Michigan guard came off the board in the fifth round after a college career in which he appeared in 44 games with 37 starts at left guard and garnered All-Big Ten honors three times. ESPN's Louis Riddick thinks Keegan was under- valued as a prospect. "I think he's fantastic," Riddick said. "I don't think there are any issues. I know he only ran a 5.24 40, but I thought this guy if he could just stay down and not get too tall, especially against power, he can reach, get up and climb and get out to the perimeter … he has all of it. I put some choice words down here to describe his competitiveness. I can't read them on TV, but I will tell you they are in support of Trevor Keegan. I thought he would be a starter his rookie season." As the Chargers' third-round pick, linebacker Junior Colson will be reunited with former U-M head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coor- dinator Jesse Minter. GRAPHIC COURTESY LOS ANGELES CHARGERS