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Michigan offense ranks in the top-5 of ESPN's future power rankings

Anthony Broomeby:Anthony Broome•05/31/23•

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(Photo credits: Getty Images, Jadyn Davis)

Michigan football should bring one of the deepest, most talented offenses in college football to the mix this fall, but how do things bare out for the future?

ESPN took a look at that in a recent piece outlining the programs with the best outlooks moving forward on the offensive side of the ball. Michigan ranked No. 5 on offense after checking in at the 8-spot last offseason.

The Wolverines averaged 40.4 points per game last season and figure to do more of the same in 2023, but key players like junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy, senior running back Blake Corum and junior offensive weapon Donovan Edwards could be in for their last go-round in a U-M uniform. ESPN sees a fruitful future, though.

Here’s what ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg said about the Michigan offense:

“The team can feel better about its post-2023 plan after landing [On300 quarterback] Jadyn Davis. Both Corum and Edwards seem likely to depart after this season, but C.J. Stokes should take on a bigger role, and the team has recruited well with [Cole Cabana and Jordan Marshall].

“The key will be developing younger players, such as junior Peyton O’Leary, sophomore Tyler Morris and incoming freshmen such as Karmello English. Michigan will miss tight end Luke Schoonmaker, a second-round NFL draft pick, but has high hopes for sophomore Colston Loveland (14.7 yards per catch in 2022) and added Indiana transfer A.J. Barner.

“An offensive line that won back-to-back Joe Moore Awards loses standout center Olu Oluwatimi but brings back an excellent guard tandem in seniors Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter. Transfers LaDarius Henderson (Arizona State), Myles Hinton (Stanford) and center Drake Nugent (Stanford) all should play key roles, and senior tackle Karsen Barnhart will fortify the exterior. The post-2023 line outlook is intriguing, but Michigan has recruited and developed well under coordinator Sherrone Moore.”

Michigan was the No. 24 total offense in the country last season at 458.8 yards per game. The Wolverines were led by a run game that was No. 5 in the country at 238.8 yards per game and had three services academies ranked ahead of them in Air Force, Army and Navy, respectively.

Michigan hopes for more in the passing game… or does it?

The passing game is what many are hoping will take a step forward this year. Michigan racked up 219.9 yards per game through the air last season, which was the 83rd-best in the country in 2022.

The Wolverines seek balance moving forward but do not expect them to turn into the air raid and sling the ball around the field.

“We want to be balanced, be able to do both [throwing and passing],” offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore said during a spring media session. “Really, the division is what our players are good at, what J.J. [McCarthy] wants to throw. How we’re going to attack the defense every week is going to change. There will probably be a game we’ll run the ball more and people will be mad at us. And if it helps us win, we’ll be okay with it.

“It’s about winning. Whatever we got to do to win, that’s what we’re gonna do. We’re not going to value the opinions of people that don’t understand what we’re doing. We’re gonna do whatever it takes to win. So whatever that is, in that game, if it’s throw [or run], we’re going to do. So that’s the vision and we’ve built it around our players.”

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