Two Michigan Football Pros Predicted To 'Breakout' In 2023 By CBS Sports

The Wolverines have been sending guys to the NFL at a fast pace. It's not shocking to see players from Michigan predicted to breakout.

July is beginning to wind down, which means it's getting closer and closer to football season. NFL players are starting to report to camp and when August hits, Michigan football players will begin practicing again. 

But right now, predictions and projections are in full force for different outlets. One of the latest articles from CBS Sports is predicting a breakout player on every NFL team for 2023

There are two former Michigan players that made Jared Dubin's list. 

Daxton Hill

Bengals' S Daxton Hill defending a pass against Mike Evans
Bengals' S Daxton Hill defending a pass against Mike Evans

The Bengals need Hill to take a big step forward. After losing both Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell in free agency, Cincinnati will turn to the combination of Hill and Nick Scott. With Lou Anarumo at the controls of the defense once again, we know Hill would be put in position to succeed. He has the athleticism and ball skills to make plays.

The Bengals selected Hill in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. Hill sat behind Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates, but now with Bates gone, Hill is in line to start in 2023. 

Hill played in 16 games in his rookie season. He tallied 16 total tackles with the Bengals. 

Here are the highlights of Hill's three-year career with Michigan:

• Two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2020-21)

• All-Big Ten honoree (first team, coaches, second team, media, 2021)

• Named the team's Defensive Rookie of the Year (2019)

• Shared Defensive Skill Player of the Year honors (2021)

• Three-time letterman (2019-20-21)

• Appeared in 33 career games with 23 starts in the secondary

Josh Uche

Josh Uche was one of the better Edge rushers on the Patriots a season ago.
Josh Uche was one of the better Edge rushers on the Patriots a season ago

Uche seemingly broke out with 11.5 sacks last year, nearly three times as many as he had during his first two NFL seasons combined. But he can do even more. Uche played just 38% of New England's defensive snaps. With his league-leading pressure rate, he just needs more opportunities on the field to keep racking up quarterback takedowns.

As good as Uche was last year with the Patriots, he didn't get the playing time he deserved. The former second-round pick had 23 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles a season ago with New England. 

Uche was behind Matt Judon on the Patriots in sacks. Judon, an every-down player, had 15.5 sacks. If Uche can play more and more in 2023, then his numbers have a chance to go through the roof. 

Here were Uche's highlights at Michigan:

• Three-year letterman (2017-18-19)

• Two-time All-Big Ten honoree (second team, coaches, 2019; third team, media, 2019; honorable mention, coaches and media, 2018)

• Named the team's Defensive Player of the Year (2019)

• Appeared in 39 games in his Michigan career with nine starts


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Trent Knoop
TRENT KNOOP