Three Michigan Football Players Land In PFF's Top 50 List

Pro Football Focus put three Wolverines in its college football top 50 list heading into the 2023 season.

Pro Football Focus has been busy working on its positional rankings the past few weeks. But PFF has also been counting down the top 50 college football players heading into 2023. 

There were three Michigan football players to make the top 50. 

No. 45 - Kris Jenkins

Jenkins is a dominant run-stuffer in the middle of Michigan’s defensive line.

The junior’s 31 run-defense stops were tied for the most in the nation among interior defensive linemen, and his positively-graded run-defense rate was third among Power Five interior defensive linemen.

Jenkins is back for his final season in Ann Arbor after being selected as an All-Big Ten member in 2022. His 54 tackles led all Michigan defensive linemen this past season. He is up to 305-pounds and ready to take the next step in 2023. 

No. 21 - Will Johnson

Johnson entered Ann Arbor as a top-20 recruit in the 2022 class, and even that was selling him short. The true freshman’s 91.1 grade in man coverage led all Power Five cornerbacks last season. His 88.2 overall grade also tied for the highest mark by a Power Five true freshman, with the player one spot behind him on this list. 

Will Johnson may end up being rated higher by the end of the year and he's only a sophomore. He had three interceptions in 2022 and was a freshman All-American. Johnson will automatically slot in as the No. 1 cornerback for the Wolverines and opposing quarterbacks will try to stay away from Johnson's side of the field. 

No. 4 - Blake Corum

Corum made history last season. His 96.2 grade didn’t just lead all players in the country, it was the highest by a Power Five player since PFF began charting college football in 2014.

Each of the three players behind him was a top-five draft pick. Corum likely won’t join them since he plays running back, but it’s a sign of the elite company that he’s in, regardless.

Corum may have shocked some people by coming back to Michigan for his senior year, but the Heisman-contending running back wants to win a championship with his teammates before heading off to the NFL. Corum missed the final three games in 2022 due to a knee injury he suffered against Illinois, so expect Corum to be on a mission this season. 

Possible Omissions:

J.J. McCarthy 

You can argue McCarthy is a top-50 player in college football. Many scouts are projecting him to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft -- if he decides to go. Being the starting quarterback for the back-to-back Big Ten champions has a ring to it too.

Donovan Edwards

Edwards would start just about anywhere else in the country other than Michigan. We have seen what he is capable of as the main running back during the final three games in 2022. Edwards has the explosive ability to get through the hole. 

Zak Zinter

Zinter has been a staple for the Michigan offensive line the past two seasons when it won the Joe Moore Award. A couple of seasons ago, Josh Gattis said Zinter may be the best offensive player on the team, and Zinter will likely be a first-to-secound-round selection in the 2024 draft. 

Junior Colson

Colson led the team in tackles last season and is back for his junior year. He was named the second linebacker in the 2024 NFL draft by PFF itself. Crazy to think he's not a top 50 player.

Rod Moore

The hard-hitting safety is another name that is getting first-round buzz if he decides to leave Michigan after three years. But Moore has always been underrated, like coming to the Wolverines as a three-star prospect.