Michigan Football's Impact Players For 2023: EDGE Rushers

As the Michigan looks to capture its third-straight Big Ten Championship, the Wolverines have a roster that appears capable of accomplishing much more.

Following Michigan's incredible run in 2021, one of the biggest question surrounding the Wolverines heading into 2022 was how they would replace Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo. The two edge rushers combined for 25 sacks, while Hutchinson found himself in New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist. 

Although replacing two first-round talents is rarely easy, Michigan found a way to do it in 2022. Instead of having two dominant edge rushers, it was a handful of guys who stepped up to fill the void left by Hutchinson and Ojabo. Led by senior Mike Morris with 7.5 sacks on the year, the Wolverines didn't lose a step from 2021. Morris was joined by guys like Jaylen Harrell, Derrick Moore, and Braiden McGregor - all players who are returning for the 2023 season. 

As Michigan looks to capture it's third straight Big Ten Championship, here are the guys at EDGE who should have a big impact on the season. 

Jaylen Harrell, EDGE - Senior 

Christopher Breiler

• Two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2021, '22)
• All-Big Ten selection (honorable mention, media, 2022)
• Three-time letterman (2020, '21, '22)
• Has appeared in 31 games (six games, special teams only) with 16 starts during his career
• Appeared in 13 games with 12 starts at edge
• Accounted for 30 tackles with 3.5 sacks among 7.5 tackles for loss, with five quarterback hurries and two pass breakups to earn his third varsity letter

Braiden McGregor, EDGE - Senior

Christopher Breiler

• Two-year letterman (2021-22)
• Has appeared in 23 games with three starts
• Appeared in all 14 games at edge with three starts in 2022
• Accounted for 16 tackles with 5.0 for loss including 2.5 sacks and two pass breakups to earn his second varsity letter

Derrick Moore, EDGE - Sophomore

• One-year letter winner (2022)
• Appeared in all 14 games at edge in 2022
• Accounted for eight tackles with two sacks, two quarterback hurries and one pass breakup to earn his first varsity letter

Josiah Stewart, EDGE - Junior

• Two-year letter winner at Coastal Carolina
• Appeared in 24 games with 17 starts (six at defensive end; 11 at buck linebacker)
• Program record-holder in single-season sacks (12.5, 2021)
• Freshman All-American (2021) by the FWAA, ESPN, 247Sports, The Athletic; honorable mention by Phil Steele
• Two-time All-Sun Belt (first team, 2021; second team, 2022)
• Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year semifinalist (2021)
• Totaled 17 starts in 25 games played with 79 tackles (36 solo) with 25.5 tackles for loss including 16.0 sacks, four forced fumbles and one pass breakup

Depth

Tyler McLaruin, EDGE - Junior

TJ Guy, EDGE - Junior

Kechaun Bennett, EDGE - Junior

Charlie Lovell, EDGE - Sophomore

Joey Klunder, EDGE - Sophomore

Chibi Anwunah, EDGE - Sophomore