ESPN ranks three Michigan football players among best college football newcomers
Michigan football may not have a wealth of instant impact players in the 2023 recruiting class who will burst onto the scene as true freshmen this year. But the Wolverines certainly made up for it with a targeted transfer class.
ESPN ranked the top 50 newcomers across college football in 2023 ($), and three incoming Michigan players made the cut — all three were transfers.
One such player broke into the top 10, presumed starting left tackle in LaDarius Henderson.
9. OL LaDarius Henderson
Transferred from Arizona State to Michigan
Henderson started all 13 games last season for Arizona State at left guard, but will likely compete at right tackle at Michigan. The Wolverines have won the Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line the past two seasons but are looking to fill a few open starting spots upfront for 2023. Henderson has a realistic shot at starting on the right side and brings a wealth of experience. At 6-foot-5, 310 pounds, Henderson could be one of a few transfer linemen to make an impact for the Wolverines.
Henderson, who was unable to participate in spring ball, certainly will have challenges. There are established tackles on the roster he’ll have to supplant in order to win the starting job.
The next was, at one point, 247Sports’ top player in the transfer portal, and while he also has a fall camp battle, he’ll see the field early and often.
17. LB Ernest Hausmann
Transferred from Nebraska to Michigan
Hausmann was a three-star prospect in the 2022 class. He made an immediate impact on the team, playing in every game last season with seven starts. Hausmann finished with 54 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss and a sack in his breakout campaign. The Wolverines have a set starter in Junior Colson, but Hausmann will likely compete for the other starting job with Michael Barrett. If Hausmann builds on the freshman season he had at Nebraska, he should see significant playing time.
The last player isn’t getting as much publicity as some others, though he’s a bit underrated to begin with.
Though his 2022 wasn’t nearly as impressive as his 2021, Josaiah Stewart is another player who figures to be key in the rotation.
24. Edge Josaiah Stewart
Transferred from Coastal Carolina to Michigan
At 6-foot-1, 245 pounds, Stewart is a little undersized, but he has a ton of speed off the edge. He had 36 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and 5 quarterback hurries last season at Coastal Carolina. The Wolverines lost Mike Morris, who led the team in tackles for loss last season, to the NFL. The defense returns Jaylen Harrell, who was second on the team in tackles for loss, and a few others. But Stewart’s ability to get to the quarterback makes him an asset and his versatility will get him onto the field this season.
There are some notable absences. The first would be center Drake Nugent, who is on the Rimington Trophy watch list and graded higher by PFF than last year’s winner, Olusegun Oluwatimi. Also, cornerback Josh Wallace is the leading candidate for a starting role opposite Will Johnson, and tight end AJ Barner figures perfectly into the scheme Michigan runs offensively.
Either way, the Wolverines were smart about who they targeted in the portal and it should make up for having a lot of developmental prospects in the freshman class.
An offer for Wolverines fans
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