Where Michigan football position groups stand on Phil Steele's top unit rankings

Michigan Wolverines football has a roster ready to win now. The Maize and Blue have several position groups that are among the nation’s best, most notably on offense, including elite groups with the offensive line and special teams. College football expert Phil Steele ranked each Michigan football position group in his top position rankings, with none slotting worse than No. 36.

Here’s a look at how the Maize and Blue stack up, and what Steele said about the three units that checked in top 15.

RELATED

• Michigan football: How disaster in 1984, 2020 set up success in 1985, 2021

• Michigan football boosters launch ‘Champions Circle’ NIL collective

Offensive line: No. 1

Big Ten Rank: First

Michigan’s offensive line was considered one of the best, if not the top, offensive lines in the country last season, and it’s expected to be just as strong or stronger next season. Three starters are back, and the Wolverines added an impact transfer and possess two capable bodies to replace Andrew Stueber at right tackle in seniors Trente Jones and Karsen Barnhart.

Steele: “The Wolverines won the coveted Joe Moore Award last year and will battle to become the first ever repeat winner. They lose two starters but add Virginia transfer Olusegun Oluwatimi (second-team All-American) at center and he joins 14 [very highly touted players] on the unit, including second-team All-Big Ten left tackle [graduate] Ryan Hayes. They average 316 pounds and have 87 career starts.”

Special teams: No. 1

Big Ten Rank: First

According to Football Outsiders, an analytics website, Michigan had the nation’s No. 1 special teams unit last season, with an efficiency rating 0.26 points higher than No. 2 Iowa (the rest of the top 10 was separated by a total of 0.27 points).

Steele: “Last year, [graduate] kicker Jake Moody hit 23-25 field goals and won the Lou Groza Award. [Graduate] punter Brad Robbins was No. 5 in the country with a 44.2 net punt average. [Junior] kick returner Blake Corum (25.3 yards per return) and [junior] punt returner A.J. Henning (9.5) were the top returnmen. Michigan finished number one in my special team rankings and all the key players return, including long snapper William Wagner.”

Receivers: No. 15

Big Ten Rank: Fourth, behind Ohio State (No. 2), Maryland (No. 8) and Penn State (No. 14)

Michigan’s receiving corps returns everyone who caught a pass last season except running back Hassan Haskins and wideout Daylen Baldwin (14 catches each), plus it gets graduate Ronnie Bell back after he tore his ACL in the season-opener. The Maize and Blue have potential breakout stars like sophomore Andrel Anthony and freshman Darrius Clemons, proven commodities such as Bell, senior wideout Cornelius Johnson and senior tight end Erick All and other productive pieces.

Steele: “Top wide receiver Ronnie Bell was out for the year week 1, but the unit did well. This year, the top five are back, plus Bell, and they add three [very highly touted] true freshmen wide receivers.”

Running backs: No. 16

Big Ten Rank: Fourth, behind Ohio State (No. 2), Wisconsin (No. 3) and Minnesota (No. 4)

Michigan’s running backs lost Haskins, but a duo that’s aiming to be the nation’s best — Corum and sophomore Donovan Edwards — is expected to be just fine. Corum rushed for 952 yards and one score last season, and Edwards was a force in the passing game once he emerged late in the year, hauling in 20 catches for 265 yards and one score. He also rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensive backs: No. 20

Big Ten Rank: Fifth, behind Penn State (No. 4), Iowa (No. 7), Ohio State (No. 14) and Minnesota (No. 17),

Michigan lost three starting defensive backs — safeties Brad Hawkins and Daxton Hill and cornerback Vincent Gray — but it’s still projected as a top-20 unit nationally. Graduate Gemon Green and senior DJ Turner possess plenty of experience at corner, and five-star freshman Will Johnson has too much talent to keep off the field. While Hawkins and Hill had the biggest roles at safety, junior R.J. Moten and sophomore Rod Moore proved themselves in 2021. Senior Mike Sainristil moved over from wide receiver and will factor into the nickelback spot, currently projecting as the starter.

Defensive line: No. 25

Big Ten Rank: Fifth, behind Ohio State (No. 5), Iowa (No. 7), Penn State (No. 23) and Michigan State (No. 24)

Michigan saw two stud edge rushers — Aidan Hutchinson (No. 2 overall) and David Ojabo (No. 45) — head to the NFL, so a drop off is expected here. Still, there’s enough talent, led by senior nose tackle Mazi Smith and junior three-tech Kris Jenkins, a breakout candidate, on the interior and graduate Taylor Upshaw and senior Mike Morris on the outside to figure the group should be strong. First-year position coach Mike Elston still has a lot to work with.

Quarterbacks: No. 28

Big Ten Rank: Fourth, behind Ohio State (No. 1), Purdue (No. 14) and Maryland (No. 22)

Michigan has one of its best quarterback situations in years, with a championship-caliber starter in senior Cade McNamara and talented youngster in sophomore J.J. McCarthy. The two will battle in camp, and both have proven to be good options. McNamara threw for 2,576 yards and 15 touchdowns with six interceptions in 2021. McCarthy, meanwhile, racked up 516 passing yards and five scores.

Linebackers: No. 36

Big Ten Rank: Seventh, behind Wisconsin (No. 6), Michigan State (No. 7), Iowa (No. 8), Nebraska (No. 13), Ohio State (No. 18) and Penn State (No. 22).

Sophomore Junior Colson was a freshman All-American last season, and he could turn into an overall All-American if he reaches his potential this fall. Either way, he’s got the talent to be an NFL starter sooner rather than later, and his sidekick, junior Nikhai Hill-Green, continues to improve, too. The two combined for 111 tackles last season, splitting time playing next to veteran and captain Josh Ross, who’s now a Baltimore Raven. Depth is a bit of concern at middle linebacker, but that’s mostly because some of the reserves haven’t had the opportunity to play.