The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 63 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE H ere are the top 10 Michigan players to watch in the NFL this season: WR Nico Collins, Houston Tex- ans: Helping the Texans make the post- season for the first time since 2019, Col- lins paced the NFC South team with 80 receptions, 1,297 receiving yards and 8 touchdown grabs. Per ESPN, Collins is the No. 16 receiver for points-per- reception fantasy football leagues in 2024, and he is expected to once again be the top target for second-year Hous- ton signal-caller C.J. Stroud. R B B l a ke Co r u m , L os A n ge - les Rams: Head coach Sean McVay is known for holding key players out of preseason games, and Corum is in that group. He didn't appear in either of the Rams' first two clashes, since he's ex- pected to have a big role this fall. Corum will share the backfield with second- year pro Kyren Williams, who led the team with 1,144 rushing yards a year ago. LB Rashan Gary, Green Bay Pack- ers: After totaling a team-high 9 sacks and 7 tackles for loss last season, Gary was voted by his peers as the No. 50 over- all player in the NFL. He signed a four- year, $96 million contract extension last season, showing the Packers' trust in his ability to impact the franchise — and make life difficult for opposing quarter- backs — well into the future. OL Graham Glasgow, Detroit Li- ons: Heading into his ninth NFL sea- son, Glasgow is projected to start at right guard on what Pro Football Focus considers to be the best offensive line in the league. He signed a three-year, $20 million contract with Detroit after shining a year ago, when he started 18 of 20 total contests. Glasgow and the Lions made the NFC championship game last season, falling to San Francisco, and are poised to contend at the top of the con- ference once again. DE Brandon Graham, Philadel- phia Eagles: Following a 3-sack and 30-quarterback pressure campaign in 2023, Graham is entering his 15th and final season as a professional, he an- nounced in late July. In his career, he's totaled 73 sacks and 120 tackles for loss to this point (not including postseason play). DE Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Li- ons: The No. 47 player in the league as voted on by his peers, Hutchinson is regarded as one of the top pass rushers in the game. He was second in the NFL with 121 pressures a year ago, and he ❱ MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Ten Wolverines To Watch During The 2024 NFL Season Mike Sainristil is one of the few Michigan rookies projected to start right away in the NFL this sea- son. He plays the "star" — or nickel back — position for a Washington Commanders team entering a new era under head coach Dan Quinn. PHOTO COURTESY WASHINGTON COMMANDERS Franz Wagner • NBA The Orlando Magic small forward led Team Germany with 18.5 points and added 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in six outings during the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Germany played in a medal game for the first time but finished fourth, losing to bronze-medalist Serbia, 93-83. Jaylen Harrell • NFL The Tennessee Titans rookie recorded 5 tackles, 2 stops for loss and 2 sacks in the franchise's first two preseason games. Harrell was listed as a second-stringer on the Titans' unofficial depth chart. Jaelin Llewellyn • British Basketball League The former Michigan guard signed with the Newcastle Eagles, who compete in the British Basketball League and European North Basketball League, in mid-August. Llewellyn is set to begin his first post-college season. — Clayton Sayfie HEADLINERS Former Michigan athletes in the news this month