Athlon Sports: Michigan football has 17 on preseason All-Big Ten for 2023
Athlon Sports is in the midst of putting together its preseason all-conference teams. It already put together its preseason All-American list, and the Wolverines had several players who made the cut.
The preseason All-Big Ten list came out on Tuesday, and Michigan had 17 players make one of the four teams. The Wolverines had seven players make the preseason first team.
Here are the Michigan football players who made Athon Sports’ preseason All-Big Ten team:
First-Team Offense
QB: J.J. McCarthy
RB: Blake Corum
All-Purpose: Donovan Edwards
C: Drake Nugent
OL: Zak Zinter
None of these should surprise you. Drake Nugent has yet to play a snap for Michigan, but he is one of the most decorated transfers for the 2023 season after a stellar season for an underwhelming Stanford team. The Wolverines should bolster Nugent’s status for the 2023 season with Corum and Edwards running the football.
First-Team Defense
LB: Junior Colson
DB: Will Johnson
Both Junior Colson and Will Johnson were dominant in 2022. Colson led the team in tackles, and Johnson became the best defensive back on the roster last year as a true freshman. The upside for both players is substantial heading into the season.
Second-Team Offense
OL: Trevor Keegan
Keegan came back, along with Zak Zinter, for one last ride. Keegan helped Michigan win two straight Joe Moore Awards, and he could help lead the Wolverines to a third in 2023.
Second-Team Defense
DL: Kris Jenkins
DL: Mason Graham
LB: Michael Barrett
DB: Rod Moore
Both Kris Jenkins and Rod Moore could work themselves into the first team by the end of the season. Both will be leaned on by the Michigan defense with their veteran presence.
Third-Team Offense:
TE: Colston Loveland
Finally, some Michigan pass-catchers make the list. With Ronnie Bell and Luke Schoonmaker off to the NFL, Johnson and Loveland will have the first opportunity to take over as the top wide receiver and tight end.
Fourth-Team Offense
OL: Karsen Barnhart
It’s assumed Barnhart will start the 2023 season, but Trente Jones will try to regain the starting duties at right tackle. Jones started last season before getting injured early. Barnhart never looked back after becoming the starter.
Fourth-Team Defense
DL: Jaylen Harrell
DB: Mike Sainristil
This seems low for Michigan’s starting nickel, Mike Sainristil. The converted wide receiver looked every bit of the part in 2022 as the featured nickel cover corner. In his second season as the starter, Sainristil is going to be better.
Jaylen Harrell has a chance to cement himself as the main edge rusher since Mike Morris went to he NFL. Braiden McGregor is another to watch for.
