Ranking Michigan Football's Biggest Strengths In 2023

Top to bottom, the Wolverines feature one of the top rosters in all of college football - returning over 80 percent of their production from a 2022 season that resulted in a 13-1 record and a second consecutive Big Ten Championship.

With the 2023 season less than 50 days away, Michigan football fans are gearing up for what many believe to be a national championship season. Top to bottom, the Wolverines feature one of the top rosters in all of college football - returning over 80 percent of their production from a 2022 season that resulted in a 13-1 record and a second consecutive Big Ten Championship. 

With so much talent returning to Ann Arbor, here's a look at Michigan's biggest strengths heading into the 2023 season. 

1. Offensive Line

The success of any offense starts up front, and nobody does it better than the University of Michigan. In fact, it's likely that Michigan's entire starting unit will declare for the NFL Draft following the 2023 season - and it's equally as likely that they'll all be drafted. In addition to returning veterans like Zak Zinter, Trevor Keegan, Karsen Barnhart and Trente Jones, head coach Jim Harbaugh went out and landed Drake Nugent (Stanford), Myles Hinton (Stanford), and LaDarius Henderson (Arizona State) from the transfer portal.

In 2022, the Wolverines became the first college football program win the Joe Moore award in back-to-back seasons since the trophy's inception back in 2015. If everything goes according to plan, they'll become the first program to make it three straight in 2023. 

2. Running Backs

Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards would likely be starters on just about every other college football team in America, and both are Heisman-caliber talents. Although it certainly doesn't hurt that the best running back duo in the nation has a back-to-back Joe Moore award winning offensive line paving the way, there's little doubt that both Corum and Edwards would put up big-time numbers at any program in the country.

The biggest issue Michigan has with these two running backs is figuring out a way to make sure both are getting as many touches as possible on fall Saturdays. With a run-heavy offense and an offensive line loaded with future NFL talent, it's a pretty safe bet that both backs will finish with over 1,000 yards rushing in 2023.  

3. Quarterbacks

This is the first time in a while that Michigan has entered a new season without a quarterback battle taking place. Junior JJ McCarthy took over the starting job back in 2022 and he's widely recognized as one of the top returning starters at the position in all of college football. 

Behind McCarthy is veteran Indiana transfer Jack Tuttle, who certainly looked to be adjusting well to Ann Arbor during the spring game back in April. Junior Davis Warren has also looked fairly solid in limited snaps, while sophomore Alex Orji figures to be a factor in special packages during the 2023 season. Top to bottom, the Wolverines have what is arguably the top quarterback room in the conference. 

4. Secondary

Christopher Breiler

The Michigan secondary is a group that is full of proven talent and experience. Led by veteran safeties Mike Sainristil, Rod Moore and Makari Paige, the secondary should prove to be a major strength of the Wolverine defense in 2023. Sophomore cornerback Will Johnson is already viewed as one of the top corners in the nation, while UMass transfer Josh Wallace will likely play a solid role as the other starting corner opposite of Johnson.

5. Linebackers

Photo by: Christopher Breiler

It feels a little bit strange putting the Michigan linebackers at No. 5 on the list, given all of the talent the Wolverines have at that position. Led by veterans Mike Barrett and Junior Colson, Michigan also made a strong addition with Neberaska transfer Ernest Hausmann. Sophomore Jimmy Rolder played some key minutes as a freshman in 2022, and graduate student Joey Velazquez has proven to be a reliable option on the depth chart. 

6. Defensive Line/EDGE

Christopher Breiler

According to some analysts, the Michigan Wolverines feature what could be a first-round draft pick in defensive lineman Kris Jenkins. In addition to Jenkins, the Wolverines feature a physical group up front made up of guys like Mason Graham, Rayshaun Benny, and Kenneth Grant. At EDGE, Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor, Derrick Moore and Carolina Coastal transfer Josiah Stewart will all battle for starting reps this fall. 

7. Tight Ends

Colston Loveland enters his sophomore season as one of the top tight ends in the country. Although he didn't put up gaudy numbers as a freshman in 2022, he made some big-time plays against Ohio State and in the Big Ten Championship game against Purdue. With many expecting Loveland to play a major factor in Michigan's offense in 2023, the Wolverines also brought in veteran Indiana transfer AJ Barner, who had 28 receptions for 199 yards with three touchdowns last season. 

Beyond Loveland and Barner, Michigan has some relatively unproven options who could prove serviceable if needed throughout the season - specifically with guys like senior Matt Hibner, junior Max Bredeson and freshman Zack Marshall.

8. Wide Receivers

The Michigan wide receiver group comes in at the No. 8 (and final) spot on the list, but it isn't for lack of talent. Under the leadership of head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Michigan offense has always been a run-heavy operation - meaning the wide receivers spend just as much time blocking (maybe more) than they do running routes. 

That being said, Harbaugh did indicate that the offense will focus a little bit more on the passing game in 2023 - moving from a 60/40 split to a 50/50 split. If that is the case, Michigan has no shortage of weapons for quarterback JJ McCarthy. It starts with returning veteran Cornelius Johnson, who finished his senior year with 32 receptions for 499 yards and six touchdowns. Roman Wilson figures to take a big step forward in the absence of Ronnie Bell, and he's my favorite to finish the 2023 season as Michigan's leading receiver. Add in guys like Darrius Clemons and Tyler Morris, and Michigan has more than enough at the wide receiver position to do some damage through the air.