Michigan Football Players Dominate Phil Steele's Preseason All-Big Ten Team
The preseason hype surrounding Michigan football hasn't been this big in a long, long time. But it's all for a good reason. The Wolverines have dominated Ohio State two seasons in a row, Michigan has won the Big Ten in back-to-back years, and the maize and blue have gone to the College Football Playoff twice in a row. The results didn't end well for Michigan in the CFP, but the facts are the Wolverines return basically their entire roster of playmakers entering the 2023 campaign.
College football expert, Phil Steele, released his annual preseason magazine and he predicted five Wolverines to be the All-American team.
He also released his preseason All-Big Ten team and Michigan had 17 players on it -- 17 players. Here are the Wolverines who made the list:
First-Team All-Big Ten:
QB: J.J. McCarthy
RB: Blake Corum
C: Drake Nugent
G: Zak Zinter
DT: Kris Jenkins
LB: Junior Colson
S: Rod Moore
This all feels about right from Steele. Corum was a Heisman candidate last season and may have won the whole thing if he didn't go down against Illinois. McCarthy is the early favorite to be the best quarterback in the Big Ten with C.J. Stroud gone. Zinter returns as the best linemen on last season's Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line and the Wolverines brought in Drake Nugent from Stanford who should be a top center.
Kris Jenkins, Junior Colson, and Rod Moore all return after leading their respective units in tackles at Michigan a year ago.
Second-Team All-Big Ten:
G: Trevor Keegan
LB: Michael Barret
CB: Will Johnson
K: James Turner
Both Keegan and Barrett feel like good second-team members with first-team upside. Keegan has been a solid starter for two seasons in a row and Barrett was a good starter for the Michigan linebacking unit after not seeing much starting time two years ago.
The big question mark here is Will Johnson. Johnson transcended into arguably the best corner Michigan had a year ago. If he takes another leap his sophomore year, he may not only be a first-team member, but an All-American.
After losing Jake Moody, the Wolverines will more than likely turn to Louisville transfer, James Turner. Turner was a two-time All-ACC winner.
Third-Team All-Big Ten:
RB: Donovan Edwards
WR: Cornelius Johnson
OT: LaDarius Henderson
Donovan Edwards could start for about any team in the country, save for Michigan. Edwards has the capabilties of being on the first-team, and he may, but being behind Corum will hurt his chances. However, the Wolverines could have two 1,000-yard rushers this season.
With Ronnie Bell departing, Cornelius Johnson will have the first chance to lead the receiver room. He showed flashes of what he can do against the Buckeyes last season and if he can do that more consistantly -- watch out.
Henderson is another incoming transfer Jim Harbaugh brought in. He is expected to start at left tackle this season.
Fourth-Team All-Big Ten
TE: Colston Loveland
Edge: Jaylen Harrell
DT: Mason Graham
If Colston Loveland can continue off of his freshman season, he may be higher than this. He was the second fiddle to Luke Schoonmaker last year, but Loveland should be the No. 1 tight end option in 2023 -- even after bringing in IU transfer AJ Barner.
I can see any combination of Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor, or Josaiah Stewart getting this slot. They all have the abilties to get to the quarterback, but will the rotation hinder any of them?
Mason Graham played a ton of football his freshman season and should only get better. He is another player I could see being higher at the end of the season -- especially with Mazi Smith not being on the team any longer. The Wolverines will ask a lot more from Graham and Kenneth Grant.
