J.J. McCarthy named MVP: Michigan football announces 2023 team awards
Michigan Wolverines football has named junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy its team MVP at the program’s 2023 award show held Sunday night at Crisler Center, where seniors were presented their ‘M rings’ and handed head coach Jim Harbaugh a winged helmet signed by the entire team.
McCarthy, who’s 25-1 as the Wolverines’ starting quarterback, was named first-team All-Big Ten, after earning third-team honors last season. He’s completed 74.2 percent of his passes for 2,630 yards and 19 touchdowns with 4 interceptions.
“First and foremost, most importantly, I just want to thank the big boys up front. Love you boys,” McCarthy said in his acceptance speech, showing his appreciation for the offensive line. “I just have one thing to say: I’ve never had this much fun playing this game my entire life. Let’s get back to work and let the good times roll.”
Senior running back Blake Corum was named Michigan’s Offensive Player of the Year and was also the recipient of the Blue Collar Award. Corum has rushed 218 times for 1,028 yards and a school-record 24 touchdowns.
A trio of Wolverines shared Michigan’s Defensive Player of the Year award: graduate defensive back Mike Sainristil, senior defensive lineman Kris Jenkins and junior linebacker Junior Colson.
Sainristil leads the team with 5 interceptions, Jenkins paces the defensive line with 32 tackles and Colson tops the squad with 79 stops. All three also took home other hardware, with Sainristil being tabbed Defensive Skill Player of the Year, Jenkins earning the Robert P. Ufer Award for most enthusiastic player and Colson being named the toughest player.
Graduate kicker James Turner and graduate defensive back Caden Kolesar were named Michigan’s Specialist of the Year and Special Teams Player of the Year, respectively.
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Michigan football 2023 team awards
Bo Schembechler Most Valuable Player
Junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy
Offensive Player of the Year
Senior running back Blake Corum
Defensive Player of the Year
Co-winner: Graduate defensive back Mike Sainristil
Co-winner: Senior defensive lineman Kris Jenkins
Co-winner: Junior linebacker Junior Colson
Offensive Skill Player of the Year
Co-winner: Sophomore tight end Colston Loveland
Co-winner: Senior wide receiver Roman Wilson
Defensive Skill Player of the Year
Graduate defensive back Mike Sainristil
Special Teams Player of the Year
Graduate defensive back Caden Kolesar
Specialist of the Year
Graduate kicker James Turner
Blue Collar Award
Senior running back Blake Corum
Toughest Player of the Year
Junior linebacker Junior Colson
Dierdorf-Hutchinson Award (Best Michigan Offensive Lineman)
Senior offensive lineman Zak Zinter
Roger Zatkoff Award (Best Michigan Linebacker)
Graduate linebacker Michael Barrett
Woodley-Graham Award (Best Michigan Defensive Lineman)
Co-winner: Sophomore defensive lineman Mason Graham
Co-winner: Sophomore defensive lineman Kenneth Grant
Robert P Ufer Bequest (Most Enthusiasm And Love For Michigan)
Senior defensive lineman Kris Jenkins
Humphries-Miller Scholarship Award
Senior offensive lineman Zak Zinter
Most Improved Player
Offense: Junior tight end / fullback Max Bredeson
Defense: Sophomore defensive lineman Kenneth Grant
Special teams: Junior punter Tommy Doman
Rookie of the Year
Freshman wide receiver Semaj Morgan
Scout Team Player of the Year
Offense: Junior offensive lineman Raheem Anderson
Defense: Freshman linebacker Hayden Moore
Special teams: Sophomore defensive back Nico Andrighetto
