Michigan football: 13 alums will play NFL games in the state this fall
Nobody in the state of Michigan is wishing their summers away, but football is on the horizon for both the Wolverines and everyone’s respective NFL teams. Hundreds of thousands of U-M fans will make their way to Ann Arbor for games this fall, but a handful of alums will also make their way through the state on NFL Sundays.
Ann Arbor sits about 45 minutes west of Ford Field, where the Detroit Lions will host eight regular season games this fall. The schedules were released this week, giving us an idea of when former Michigan Wolverines could return to the state they played their college ball.
The hometown Lions are headlined by edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), who was the No. 2 overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft, racking up 9.5 sacks during his rookie season. Offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (2011-15) re-signed with Detroit this offseason after spending three seasons in Denver with the Broncos.
Eleven other Michigan alumni from six teams are currently projected to make stops in Detroit this fall. Here is a rundown of the former Wolverines that will suit up and play just down the road from the Big House.
Seattle Seahawks (5)
Linebacker Devin Bush (2016-18), running back Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), defensive tackle Bryan Mone (2014-18), EDGE Mike Morris (2019-22), center Olu Oluwatimi (2022)
The Seahawks have taken on a big-time Michigan flavor this offseason, adding four former Wolverines to their roster in Bush (free agent) and a trio of draft picks in Charbonnet (transferred to UCLA), Morris and Oluwatimi. Seattle makes its way to Detroit in a Week 2 game set for Sept. 17.
Green Bay Packers (2)
EDGE Rashan Gary (2016-18), guard Jon Runyan Jr. (2015-19)
A pair of former Michigan stalwarts have worked themselves into reliable starters for the Packers, who will be in town for the Thanksgiving showdown with the Lions on Nov. 23, two days prior to the Ohio State game at the Big House. We will have to wait and see if they decide to stick around for on e of the biggest rivalries in college football.
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Atlanta Falcons (1)
Offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield (2018-20)
Mayfield appeared in 16 games and started all of them in 2021, but was on injured reserve all of last season. He returns to Michigan on Sept. 24 when the Falcons head to Ford Field.
Las Vegas Raiders (1)
Cornerback David Long Jr. (2016-19)
Long returns to Michigan on Monday Night Football when the Raiders visit the Lions on Oct. 30. He signed with the Raiders this offseason after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Rams, where he won a Super Bowl in 2022. He has appeared in 52 NFL games with 10 starts in his career.
Chicago Bears (1)
Defensive tackle Donovan Jeter (2017-21)
Jeter went undrafted in 2022 and has bounced around a bit since, spending time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders and signing with the Bears this offseason. If he finds a way to crack the 53-man roster, he will head to Detroit with the Bears on Dec. 10.
Minnesota Vikings (1)
Safety Josh Metellus (2016-19)
Metellus has appeared in 48 career games with the Vikings after being drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He had his first career interception against the Lions in Week 3 last season and will be in the Motor City for the Week 18 regular season finale.
