Where Michigan football's position groups rank nationally by On3

Michigan football brings back one of the deepest and most talent-rich rosters in America to the 2023 season. But how do the Wolverines rank up against the rest of the country?

On3’s Jesse Simonton sorted that all out recently in a post-spring position group ranking series, where Michigan’s crowning position group came at running back. The Wolverine rushers came in as the top-ranked cluster of backs in the country.

“The Wolverines should be the favorites in the Big Ten in 2023, and they’re likely to be led by a pair of potential 1,000-yard rushers,” Simonton said. “Heisman Trophy contender (nearly 1,500 yards with 18 touchdowns) Blake Corum opted to return to school after tearing his knee late last season. 

Meanwhile, Donovan Edwards would start for most other programs and is the best No. 2 tailback in the country. The junior led all Power 5 tailbacks averaging 7.1 yards per carry in 2022.”

Here are the rest of the position group rankings from Simonton’s post-spring series:

Offensive Line: No. 2

Michigan’s offensive line will have a new look to its this year, but it still projects to being one of the better units in college football. Simonton thinks that the Georgia Bulldogs will be better overall, though.

“The reigning back-to-back Joe Moore Award winners have a retooled OL unit that should still be among the nation’s best in 2023,” he writes. “The Wolverines bring back two of the better guards in the country in Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter, and they’ve added multiple transfers who look primed to start at center (Drake Nugent from Stanford) and tackle (LaDarius Henderson from Arizona State). 

Michigan OC/OL coach Sherrone Moore has depth to work with, too, with fellow Stanford transfer tackle Myles Hinton and third-year interior vets Greg Crippen and Raheem Anderson. 

Defensive Line/EDGE: No. 2

Simonton signed out the obvious impact players for the Wolverines, including defensive tackles Kris Jenkins and Mason Graham. But it is the pass rush that could prove most interesting to track.

“At pass rusher, second-year coordinator Jesse Minter has a nice mix of options to work with, as Jaylen Harrell and Derrick Moore should see more snaps, but the Wolverines also have the luxury of adding former Coastal Carolina All-Conference performer Josiah Stewart to the mix,” Simonton wrote.

“Stewart was one of the stars of Michigan’s spring game and is just two seasons removed from recording 12.5 sacks and 15.5 TFLs for the Chanticleers.”

Georgia ranked No. 1 in this category.

Linebackers: No. 4

Michigan lost a former starter to the transfer portal in Nikhai Hill-Green, but it was not enough to boot them out of consideration of top linebacker groups in America. Simonton ranks the linebackers as the fourth-best in the land behind Clemson, Georgia and Penn State.

“With Michael Barrett and Junior Colson, plus the addition of Nebraska transfer Ernest Hausmann, the Wolverines have three linebackers with All-Big Ten potential,” he wrote.

“Colson was a second-team conference performer in 2022, leading Michigan with 101 tackles and chipping in six TFLs. Barrett earned 3rd-Team honors with 72 stops and five TFLs.

“Hausmann was a coveted addition via the portal after recording more than 50 tackles as a freshman for the Cornhuskers. He was among the stars of the Maize & Blue Game and will have a real role in 2023 even if he doesn’t start.”

Cornerbacks: No. 4

Some might argue that cornerback is a spot of concern for Michigan as it heads into the new season, but On3 ranks the group fourth in the nation behind Alabama, Georgia and Iowa.

“Former 5-star recruit Will Johnson made an immediate impact as a freshman on the Wolverines’ defense in 2022, showcasing some of the stickiest coverage skills in the country,” Simonton said. “Johnson, who had three INTs, led all Power 5 corners in man-coverage grade, per PFF. 

“With DJ Turner off to the NFL, Johnson is paired with sophomore Amorion Walker. For now, at least. Walker struggled some in UM’s spring game, but the sophomore is an athletic talent DC Jesse Minter really wants on the field. 

“The Wolverines do have one of the more reliable nickel backs in the country in veteran Mike Sainristil, a fifth-year senior who had 58 tackles, seven PBUs, a couple of sacks and 6.5 TFLs in 2022.”

Safeties: No. 2

The Wolverines have a group of safeties that it feels like have been underrated heading into the 2023 season, but not by Simonton. They sit at No. 2 in the country behind Miami’s group.

“In senior Rod Moore, the Wolverines have one of the most complete safeties in the country in 2023. Moore had four interceptions, while also providing excellent support as a run defender,” On3 writes.

“During the spring, Michigan had an ongoing battle for its second-safety spot, with senior Makari Page leapfrogging junior R.J. Moten on the depth chart late last season. Both had one pick and around 35 tackles in 2022, but Moten ultimately choose to transfer to Florida in the second window.

“The Wolverines have a nice set of options behind their starters, with senior Quinten Johnson in the mix, as well as redshirt freshmen Keon Sabb and Zeke Berry.”

Not rated: Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends

Michigan has one of the best quarterbacks in the country in J.J. McCarthy, but there is not a proven backup or future starter waiting in the wings, so it makes sense to be excluded there. USC, LSU and Texas lead the way in that category.

The wide receivers and tight ends did not appear on any honorable mention lists, either. At wide receiver, Michigan’s perception will be shaped by what it gets out of Cornelius Johnson, Roman Wilson, Darrius Clemons and Tyler Morris. Michigan has players with promise, but still need to prove themselves at a national level.

No mention of the tight ends was surprising, and likely the group that will take the biggest leap in perception this season. Most believe that sophomore Colston Loveland is a future All-Big Ten performer, and AJ Barner has starting experience coming over from Indiana. Again, respect will be earned by production. All of these lists will be worth revisiting after the 2023 season reaches its conclusion.