Six key players from Michigan State football announce return for 2023 season Wolverines return multiple starters from back-to-back Big Ten championship team ANN ARBOR, MI Six key players from Michigan State football announced last week that they will return for the 2023 season The
The Wolverines are coming off one of the best seasons in program history, winning 13 games for the first time, defeating Ohio State and winning the Big Ten Championship for the second straight year.
With Jim Harbaugh’s future plans uncertain once again, many of the team’s draft targets will have to make difficult decisions.
No one would blame them for successfully completing their college careers and moving on to the NFL.
But between funds like name, image, and likeness and a draft class still bloated by players who earned an extra year of eligibility in 2020, these decisions are simply “preparing to go pro.
” It goes far beyond the question of “Do I feel like I am able to do this?
” Several Michigan players have already declared for the draft.
Defensive linemen Mike Morris and Maji Smith are transferred, along with defensive backs D.J.
Turner and Jemon Green, and tight end Luke Schoonmaker.
But last week also brought some good news for the Wolverines.
It all started last Monday (January 9) when All-American running back Blake Collum announced his return on the Rich Eisen Show.
The importance of Colm’s return cannot be overstated.
He was a threat to win the Heisman Trophy until he was injured against Illinois, but finished the year with 1,463 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.
But Colm wouldn’t have had as much success without Michigan’s elite offensive line, and with guards Trevor Keegan and Zach Ginter announcing their returns, that line will be in contention in 2023.
We received two major boosts towards this goal.
Ginter was a unanimous All-Big Ten First Team honoree, and Keegan was selected to the First Team by the coaches and the Second Team by the media.
Not only did Ginter and Keegan give Michigan one of the strongest starting lineups in the country, but players like Trente Jones, Carsen Barnhart, Drake Nugent, Myles Hinton, and LaDarius Henderson He adds crucial depth to the position as they compete for spots.
Another offensive starter, wide receiver Cornelius Johnson, also plans to stay in Ann Arbor for another year.
While his professional opportunities may not have been as plentiful as Colm, Ginter, or Keegan, this is still an offseason victory for J.J.
McCarthy and the passing game.
Johnson caught 32 balls for 499 yards as a senior, making him Michigan’s top returning receiver in terms of yards.
He also led the team with six touchdown receptions.
Although his raw numbers weren’t overwhelming, Johnson made his mark in the 2022 season by scoring two long touchdowns against Ohio State in Columbus.
His 69-yard score ignited a stagnant Michigan offense, and he scored a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the ensuing drive to give Michigan its first lead.
Johnson caught 92 passes for 1,441 yards and 13 touchdowns in his four seasons at the University of Michigan.
Defensively, Michigan returns linebacker Michael Barrett, who emerged as a leader this season.
His ability to drop back into coverage or play at the line of scrimmage makes Barrett one of the most underrated players on the roster.
Barrett’s return is especially important for the Wolverines following the departures of Green and Turner.
He will team up with Mike Theinristil to give Jesse Minter a veteran duo to build around next season.
As a fifth-year player in 2022, Barrett ranked second on the team with 72 tackles, including 37 solo tackles and 3.
5 sacks.
He intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown, saving Michigan from a dangerous situation against Rutgers.
Over the past four seasons, Barrett has recorded 143 tackles, 77 solo tackles and 5.
5 sacks.
It is also one of the team’s most versatile and valuable special weapons.
The Wolverines are still waiting to make several players official before Monday’s NFL Draft decision deadline, but there is no doubt that the 2023 team will have a strong core back.
MONDAY’S ANNOUNCEMENT On Monday morning, defensive lineman Kris Jenkins also announced that he will be returning to Michigan for another season.
Jenkins had a breakout season in 2022 when he recorded 54 tackles, 29 solo tackles and two sacks from inside the defensive line.
With the departures of Morris, Smith, and Abe Okie (transfer portal), Jenkins will likely play an even bigger role in his lineup next year.
