The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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56 THE WOLVERINE ❱ SEPTEMBER 2026 ❱ MICHIGAN IN THE PROS to officially rejoin the Eagles. Graham made 3 sacks in nine regular-season games last season and is a team leader. DT Mason Graham Cleveland Browns Selected to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team last sea- son, Graham will have even more re- sponsibility this year on a defensive line without Myles Garrett but possessing top-end talent such as Jared Verse, who came from the Los Angeles Rams as part of the blockbuster trade involving Gar- rett. As a rookie, Graham produced 49 tackles, including 7 for loss, and regis- tered a 68.7 overall PFF rating, which ranked second among rookie interior defensive linemen. DE Aidan Hutchinson Detroit Lions Hutchinson has been one of the best edge rushers in the league since arriv- ing as the No. 2 overall pick in 2022, solidifying that status again even after injury last season. Hutchinson totaled a career-best 14.5 sacks, forced 4 fum- bles and had 3 pass breakups while also grabbing an interception. Detroit's de- fense is void of talent in the secondary, especially as star safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph get healthy, so it's up to Hutchinson to lead the way affect- ing opposing quarterbacks and limiting their passing attacks. TE Colston Loveland Chicago Bears Considered by ESPN a " high-end TE1" in fantasy football, Loveland put together an incredible rookie campaign by coming up in the clutch and serving as a reliable target for quarterback Caleb Williams. Loveland recorded 58 catches for 713 yards and 6 touchdowns during the regular season and made 12 grabs for 193 yards in two playoff contests. QB J.J. McCarthy Minnesota Vikings There won't be much to watch right out of the gate, since Kyler Murray beat him out for the starting job out of training camp, but it's hard to believe McCarthy's story is over … whether in Minnesota or elsewhere. Murray has a long history of sustaining injuries, and the fact that it was a competition com- ing into the year proves that the former Michigan national champion will have a shot to become the starter at some point after going 6-4 opening games in 2025. DE Derrick Moore Detroit Lions Michigan's highest-drafted rookie in the 2026 NFL Draft class was injured in training camp but as of Aug. 15 was expected to soon work back into prac- tice. Detroit is looking for edge rushers to step up opposite Hutchinson, and the No. 44 overall selection (second round) just might be that individual after earn- ing first-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2025. ❑ Player Pos. Team Played At U-M Cameron McGrone LB Las Vegas Raiders 2018-20 Sean McKeon TE Indianapolis Colts 2016-19 Joshua Metellus S Minnesota Vikings 2016-19 Joe Milton QB Dallas Cowboys 2018-20 Derrick Moore DE Detroit Lions 2022-25 Mike Morris DE Seattle Seahawks 2019-22 Kalel Mullings RB Tennessee Titans 2020-24 Drake Nugent OL San Francisco 49ers 2023 David Ojabo EDGE Miami Dolphins 2019-21 Olu Oluwatimi C Seattle Seahawks 2022 Mike Onwenu OL New England Patriots 2016-19 Kwity Paye DE Las Vegas Raiders 2017-20 Damon Payne DT Kansas City Chiefs 2025 Josh Priebe OL Miami Dolphins 2024 Jimmy Rolder LB Detroit Lions 2022-25 Josh Ross LB Minnesota Vikings 2017-21 Cesar Ruiz C/G New Orleans Saints 2017-19 Jon Runyan OG New York Giants 2016-19 Mike Sainristil CB Washington Commanders 2019-23 Luke Schoonmaker TE Dallas Cowboys 2018-22 Mazi Smith DT New York Jets 2019-22 Josaiah Stewart OLB Los Angeles Rams 2023-24 Andrew Stueber OL Atlanta Falcons 2018-21 Benjamin St-Juste CB Green Bay Packers 2017-18 Ambry Thomas CB Philadelphia Eagles 2017-19 DJ Turner II CB Cincinnati Bengals 2019-22 Joshua Uche EDGE Miami Dolphins 2017-19 Ben VanSumeren FB Buffalo Bills 2018-20 Dan Villari TE Los Angeles Rams 2020-21 William Wagner LS Cincinnati Bengals 2020-24 Josh Wallace CB Los Angeles Rams 2023 Julius Welschof OLB Pittsburgh Steelers 2019-22 Roman Wilson WR Pittsburgh Steelers 2020-23 Zak Zinter OG Cleveland Browns 2020-23 Dominic Zvada K New York Giants 2024-25 Tarik Black • NFL The former Michigan wide receiver was waived and then re-signed by the Detroit Lions in early August. Black is fighting to make the final roster and helped his cause with a 24-yard touchdown reception during the Aug. 13 preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Marlin Klein • NFL The second-round rookie is the backup behind Dalton Schultz with the Houston Texans. Klein delivered a strong preseason debut in a 27-7 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, hauling in an impressive 31-yard catch down the seam and blocking at a high level. Mark Estapa • ECHL The former Michigan forward from 2021-25 and two-time Big Ten cham- pion signed with the Florida Everblades for the 2026-27 season after play- ing his rookie season with the Trois-Rivières Lions and notching 7 goals and 8 assists in 63 games a season ago. HEADLINERS Former Michigan athletes in the news this month