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Wolverines in the NFL: Former Michigan defenders feast in Week 1

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•09/12/23•

CSayf23

Dax Hill
(Photo by Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK)

For the first time since 1999, the NFL has started a season without legendary former Michigan Wolverines football quarterback Tom Brady. Instead, Brady was in New England being honored by his former franchise, with which he won six of his seven Super Bowls. Even without Brady playing over the weekend, though, former Michigan players were a big story, especially on defense, from Thursday night on.

The season started with a 21-20 statement win by the Detroit Lions in Kansas City, home of the reigning Super Bowl champs. Former Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was all over the backfield, finishing with 7 pressures and a drawn holding call. On the other side, his former U-M teammate, Mike Danna, had a sack.

On Sunday, three more Wolverines had sacks — Josh Uche (New England Patriots), Kwity Paye (Indianapolis Colts) and David Ojabo, who also forced a fumble on a familiar face, Houston Texan and former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud. First-round pick and rookie Mazi Smith, meanwhile, added a tackle for loss for the Cowboys. Second-year safety Dax Hill had a big game for the Bengals, with 2 stops for loss and his first career interception. Packers outside linebacker Rashan Gary returned after missing much of last season with a torn ACL and posted 5 pressures on 10 pass-down snaps.

Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 1:

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Ronnie Bell (played at Michigan from 2018-22), WR, San Francisco 49ers

Played 8 offensive snaps in the 49ers’ dominant 30-7 win at Pittsburgh but did not have any targets or statistics.

Ben Bredeson (2016-19), G, New York Giants

Started at left guard in the Giants’ 40-0 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football, allowing 2 pressures per PFF.

Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Seattle Seahawks

The former Michigan All-American recorded 1 tackle in 25 snaps in a 30-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB Seattle Seahawks

Rushed 3 times for 11 yards in a 30-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Commanders

Snapped 9 times in a 20-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals

Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Denver Broncos

Tallied 2 tackles in a 17-16 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Mason Cole (2014-17), OL Pittsburgh Steelers

Started at center and posted a dismal 49.2 overall PFF grade and 27.9 rating in pass protection, giving up 4 pressures and 1 sack.

Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans

Hauled in 6 receptions for 80 yards on 11 targets, racking up 3 first downs in a 25-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Michael Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Started and recorded 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 stop for loss, 1 quarterback hit and 1 pass deflection in a 21-20 loss to the Detroit Lions Thursday night … Added 2 pressures, per PFF.

Chris Evans (2016-18, 20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals

The former Michigan running back had 2 carries for 7 yards and 1 reception for a loss of 1 yard in a 24-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns … Returned 2 kicks for 45 yards.

Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers

Played 12 defensive snaps in a 38-20 victory over the Chicago Bears, with an 83.4 overall PFF rating that ranked second on the Packers’ defense … Had a whopping 5 pressures on 10 pass-rush plays.

Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Detroit Lions

Saw 3 special teams snaps in a 21-20 win over the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday at Arrowhead Stadium.

Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles

Played off the bench and recorded 1 tackle for loss and 1 quarterback hit in a 25-20 win over the New England Patriots.

Ryan Hayes (2018-22), T, Indianapolis Colts

Did not play in the Colts’ 31-21 loss to divisional opponent Jacksonville.

Dax Hill (2019-21), S, Cincinnati Bengals

The former Michigan defensive back started in a 24-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns, posting 6 tackles, including 2 behind the line of scrimmage, and 1 interception (the first of his career) with 1 pass breakup … The former first-round pick had 4 career picks in three seasons at Michigan.

Christopher Hinton (2019-21), DL, Los Angeles Chargers

Did not play in the Chargers’ 36-34 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

James Hudson (2017-18), OT, Cleveland Browns

Saw 4 snaps as an extra lineman and 4 on special teams in the Browns’ 24-3 triumph over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Commanders

Played 24 snaps on special teams in a 20-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Maurice Hurst II (2014-17), DT, Cleveland Browns

Came off the bench and made 1 tackle in a 24-3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions

Notched 7 pressures, 4 hurries and 3 quarterback hits in a 21-20 Thursday night victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, per PFF … Totaled 4 tackles while starting … Also drew a holding call.

Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys

Missed the Cowboys’ 40-0 win over the Giants with a foot injury, but owner Jerry Jones said that he’s among a group of hurt players “on the cusp of playing.”

David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Las Vegas Raiders

Played 5 snaps on special teams in a 17-16 win over the Denver Broncos.

Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts

Saw 10 special teams plays in a 31-21 setback to the Jacksonville Jaguars … That marked his second career NFL game.

Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings

The former Michigan safety started and posted 6 tackles and 1 pass breakup in a 20-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers

Went 3-for-3 on field goals — from 41, 32 and 40 yards out — with 3 extra points in his NFL regular-season debut, a 30-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks

The former Michigan EDGE recorded 3 tackles in a 30-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, his first NFL game.

David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens

Ojabo’s second NFL sack also included a forced fumble and was on Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, whom the former Michigan outside linebacker also sacked in the fourth quarter of the Wolverines’ win over Ohio State in 2021 … Totaled 3 tackles and 1 quarterback hit in the 25-9 win.

Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks

Did not play in a 30-13 setback to the Los Angeles Rams.

Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots

Underwent offseason ankle surgery and was inactive for the Patriots’ opener, a 25-20 loss to defending NFC champion Philadelphia.

Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts

Started and tallied 4 tackles, 2 stops for loss, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry in a 31-21 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns

Hauled in 1 catch for 12 yards in a 24-3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), DB, New England Patriots

The former Michigan Heisman Trophy finalist opened a 25-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, posting 6 tackles, 1 pass breakup and a late-game forced fumble that gave his team a chance to come out on top (the offense didn’t capitalize) … That was the fifth forced fumble of his career, which has spanned 79 appearances.

Brad Robbins (2017-22), P, Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals’ offense totaled just 142 yards, allowing Robbins to get plenty of work at punter … Had 10 punts with a 40.9-yard average and a 54-yard long, as well as 2 pins inside the Browns’ 20-yard line and 1 touchback … The Browns totaled only 15 return yards.

Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints

Started at right guard, registering a 32.2 overall PFF grade (worst on the New Orleans offense) with 2 pressures allowed in a 16-15 win over the Tennessee Titans … Signed a 4-year, $44 million contract with a max value of $46 million and guaranteed amount of $30 million Sept. 9.

Jon Runyan (2015-19), G, Green Bay Packers

The former Michigan lineman started at right guard and allowed 1 pressure in a 38-20 victory over the Chicago Bears.

Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys

Played 16 snaps on offense and 17 on special teams but did not record any statistics in his NFL debut, a 40-0 shutout win over the New York Giants.

Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys

The first-round pick came off the bench to make 2 tackles, including 1 for loss, in a 40-0 win over the Giants … Became the first Dallas rookie to not start in his first game since linebacker Leighton Vander Esch in 2018.

Ambry Thomas (2017-20), CB, San Francisco 49ers

Started and had 5 tackles and 1 pass breakup in a 30-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers … Was tested for a concussion but was cleared.

DJ Turner II (2019-22), CB, Cincinnati Bengals

The former Michigan cornerback played off the bench and recorded 2 tackles in a 24-3 loss to the Browns.

Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots

Stared the season with 1 sack and 1 quarterback hit in a 25-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (2015-17), OT, New England Patriots

Played 2 special teams snaps in a 25-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

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