The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1523593
THE WOLVERINE 2024 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 17 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL A total of 25 states and three coun- tries — Germany, Canada and France — are represented on the 2024 Michigan roster of scholarship players. Here's a breakdown of the states with the most representation and the key players from each. Michigan (14) Unsurprisingly, a strong contingent of players come from the Wolverines' back- yard. Michigan has always recruited its own state well, and some of its best players grew up just down the road from Ann Arbor. Graduates Makari Paige (West Bloom- field) and Josh Priebe (Niles) lead the way among in-state players with the longest careers to this point. Running back Dono- van Edwards (West Bloomfield), offensive linemen Raheem Anderson (Detroit) and Giovanni El-Hadi (Sterling Heights), de- fensive tackle Rayshaun Benny (Detroit) and punter Tommy Doman (West Bloom- field) lead the way among the senior class. Cornerback Will Johnson (Detroit) and safety Jaden Mangham (Beverly Hills) represent the juniors, with running back Cole Cabana (Dexter), wide receiver Semaj Morgan (West Bloomfield) and kicker Adam Samaha (Ypsilanti) repre- senting the sophomores. Tight end Brady Prieskorn (Lake Orion) and safety Jacob Oden (Detroit) fill out the freshman class. Illinois (8) Senior edge Tyler McLaurin (Boling- brook) represents the Prairie State as a senior on this year's team, followed by a pair of juniors in wide receiver Tyler Mor- ris (Bolingbrook) and linebacker Jimmy Rolder (Orland Park). The sophomore class includes tight end Deakon Tonielli (Oswego), defensive linemen Brooks Bahr (Lake Forest) and Trey Pierce (Chicago), and cornerback Jyaire Hill (Kankakee). Freshman wide receiver I'Marion Stewart (Chicago) rounds out the Illinois natives. Ohio (8) G ra d t ra n s fe r w i d e re ce ive r C . J. Charleston (Gates Mills) and senior safety Rod Moore (Clayton) lead the way in terms of experience from south of the state line. The sophomore class includes edge Breeon Ishmail (Hamilton) and line- backer Jason Hewlett (Youngstown). Four freshmen enter the program from Ohio in running back Jordan Marshall (Cincinnati), offensive linemen Luke Hamilton (Avon) and Ben Roebuck (Lake- wood) and defensive lineman Ted Ham- mond (Cincinnati). California (8) Roster representation from Califor- nia is headlined by a pair of graduates in quarterback Jack Tuttle (San Marcos) and offensive lineman Jeffrey Persi (Mission Viejo). Quarterback Davis Warren (Los Angeles) is the lone true senior, while the junior class includes quarterback Jayden Denegal (Apple Valley), defensive tackle Mason Graham (Anaheim) and defensive back Zeke Berry (Pittsburg). Tight end Zack Marshall (Carlsbad) and defensive lineman Cameron Brandt (Chatsworth) round things out as sopho- more representatives. Maryland (8) Graduate safety Quinten Johnson (Sil- ver Spring) leads here heading into his sixth collegiate season, joined by Al- bany grad transfer cornerback Aamir Hall (Baltimore). Senior offensive tackle Tristan Bounds (Bethesda) is the next- most experienced player from the area. Edge Derrick Moore (Baltimore) and linebacker Jaishawn Barham (District Heights) represent the junior class. This year, an infusion of true freshman tal- ent joins in edges Devon Baxter (Bran- dywine), Lugard Edokpayi (Bowie) and Dominic Nichols (Ijamsville). Texas (6) Grad transfer defensive back Ricky Johnson III (Cy Falls) has the most col- legiate experience of U-M's Texas con- tingent, followed by running back Ta- vierre Dunlap (Del Valle) and defensive lineman Ike Iwunnah (Garland), a pair of seniors. Junior quarterback Alex Orji (Sachse) could be the most impactful this season, while sophomore defensive line- man Enow Etta (Keller) comes into his own. One true freshman from the Lone Star State joins in offensive tackle Blake Frazier (Austin). — Anthony Broome Michigan, Illinois, Ohio Well-Represented On 2024 Scholarship Roster Graduate safety Makari Paige, shown here breaking up a pass in the 2023 Big Ten Championship win against Iowa, is one of 14 Wolverine scholarship players who hail from the state of Michigan. PHOTO BY MICHAEL MILLER