Wolverines in the NFL: How Michigan rookies are faring in training camp, preseason
Michigan Wolverines football set the program record with 13 NFL Draft picks this past spring, and including undrafted free agents and those who transferred out of the program, the team has 20 players who were Wolverines at one point that are now rookies in the league. Here’s a look at how each rookie has done in training camp and the preseason to this point.
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TE Erick All Jr., Cincinnati Bengals
The former Michigan and Iowa tight end notched 1 reception for 5 yards on 2 targets in a loss to the Chicago Bears, after playing 2 snaps in the prior preseason game … Listed as one of four third-stringers on the depth chart.
TE AJ Barner, Seattle Seahawks
Caught 1 pass for 17 yards in a loss to the Tennessee Titans Week 2 … Appears as a fifth-stringer on the depth chart.
OL Karsen Barnhart, Los Angeles Chargers
Played right guard in both of the Chargers’ preseason losses, totaling 28 snaps … Listed as a third-string guard.
LB Michael Barrett, Carolina Panthers
Registered 4 tackles in two appearances … Shows up as a fourth-string linebacker.
LB Junior Colson, Los Angeles Chargers
Hasn’t played in the preseason but did return to the practice field after undergoing an appendix removal before the beginning of training camp.
Colson was named a Chargers practice standout by the team’s website Aug. 14: “Definitely exciting,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said. “Obviously, a guy I know very well and I have a good idea of what he knows about our defense. But want to see him do it at this level and against these caliber of players. Excited to see that ramp up happen.”
RB Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
The former Michigan running back hasn’t played in the preseason, signaling that he’ll have a big role this fall, with head coach Sean McVay being famous for not putting key players in preseason tilts … Expected to share carries with second-year pro Kyren Williams.
Yahoo Sports said Corum is one to watch in fantasy football: “It’s become clear that Corum is headed for a non-trivial role,” Andy Behrens wrote. “We tend to think of McVay offenses relying heavily on specific high-volume featured runners, but that hasn’t been an inviolable or unchanging law. His team actually ran a backfield committee the year it won the Super Bowl. Let’s not assume a second back can’t have value in L.A.”
OLB Jaylen Harrell, Tennessee Titans
The former Michigan EDGE has broken out this preseason, with 5 tackles and 2 sacks in a pair of games … Both sacks, including 1 in which a fumble was forced, came in a 16-15 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Harrell said he’s looking to prove himself in the league: “I always have belief in myself,” Harrell said. “I am always a hard worker, a go-get-it type dude. So, I feel like that is my mindset. I look at everything like: I’m a seventh-round rookie and I have to go get everything, ain’t nothing I’m going to get, I have to go earn everything, you feel me? I have to go attack each day, day by day.”
OG LaDarius Henderson, Houston Texans (injured reserve)
Waived by the Texans before training camp, due to a non-football injury.
DT Kris Jenkins, Cincinnati Bengals
Totaled 37 snaps in two games, contributing 2 tackles and 1 sack … Listed as a third-stringer on the depth chart.
WR Cornelius Johnson, Los Angeles Chargers
Seen time in both preseason games, not recording any statistics over 23 offensive snaps.
OG Trevor Keegan, Philadelphia Eagles
The former Michigan lineman logged 112 offensive snaps at left guard in two preseason games … Appears as the backup at left guard.
Keegan was injured in Tuesday’s practice (Aug. 20).
QB J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
The former Michigan quarterback showed out in his NFL debut, completing 11 of his 17 passes for 188 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception in a 24-23 win over the Las Vegas Raiders … After the game, McCarthy complained about knee soreness … It was apparent he tore his meniscus, and he underwent surgery that wound up being season-ending.
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Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said the team has found their quarterback of the future in McCarthy: “As excited as I was to draft him, he’s confirmed everything that I hoped to see. Our fan base and everyone should be excited about the fact that we’ve got our young franchise quarterback in the building.”
EDGE Braiden McGregor, New York Jets
Registered 2 tackles in two games … Appears as a third-teamer at EDGE.
QB Joe Milton, New England Patriots
Completed 6 of his 13 pass attempts for 74 yards with 1 touchdown in two outings … Went 2-for-7 for 20 yards in his last game, a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … Currently third string behind Drake Maye and Bailey Zappe.
OL Drake Nugent, San Francisco 49ers
The former Stanford and Michigan lineman totaled 60 offensive plays at center in two games … Listed as a third-stringer at center.
CB Mike Sainristil, Washington Commanders
The starter at the ‘star’ (nickel) position, Sainristil has racked up 4 tackles in two preseason outings.
Head coach Dan Quinn has lauded Sainristil’s ability during training camp: “Mike Sainristil has been somebody that’s been really, consistently strong. It’s run fits, it’s coverage, it’s all of it that goes into that position. Playing nickel is a lot like playing safety. There’s run fits, there’s calls, there’s checks and things happen quickly, and Mikey has certainly shown he’s up for the task to be in that spot.”
CB Josh Wallace, Los Angeles Rams
The former UMass and Michigan cornerback has made 4 tackles in two games … He’s a third-stringer at corner for the Rams.
LB Julius Welschof, Pittsburgh Steelers
Seen action in two games, recording 1 sack in a loss to the Buffalo Bills … Appears as a fourth-string outside linebacker.
WR Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
The second-string wide receiver suffered an ankle injury early in training camp, forcing him to miss the first two preseason clashes … Per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Wilson will “probably” be back for the team’s game against the Detroit Lions this week.
OG Zak Zinter, Cleveland Browns
The former Michigan lineman competed in each of the first two preseason games, allowing no pressures in 51 pass-blocking snaps … He’s currently listed as the team’s backup right guard.
