Michigan football star linebacker Junior Colson declares for NFL draft

Junior Colson, Michigan football's standout linebacker, will not return for his senior season and will instead enter the 2024 NFL draft.

Colson, a 6-foot-3, 247-pound junior, led the Wolverines with 95 tackles — no other player had more than 65 — including 44 solos and two for loss. The second-team All-Big Ten selection won the Lott IMPACT Trophy, given annually to the college football player who makes the greatest impact on and off the field, last month.

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In his social media post announcing his departure, Colson said he's at a loss for words to describe what the U-M brotherhood has meant to him and the impact the past three years in Ann Arbor had on him as a man, a time he called a "cornerstone" in his life.

"The relationships forged along this journey will last a lifetime, I am proud to call my teammates my brothers for life," the post read in part. "I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to coach Harbaugh and our amazing coaching staff. Your investment in my growth both as a football player and as a family man has been invaluable.

"To my family, friends and precollege coaches, your unwavering support has been instrumental in shaping the person I am today. Standing here, I am a testament to the collective effort and influence that you all have had on my journey...I am honored and humbled to announce that I will officially be declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft."

Colson played through injury for much of the season. His left hand was wrapped for Monday's title game, after both hands were wrapped for games in November. It didn't seem to bother him, however; he recorded 11 tackles vs. Ohio State, eight vs. Iowa in the Big Ten title game, 10 against Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal, and six vs. Washington to end the season.

A Brentwood, Tennessee, native, Colson played in 42 games (35 starts) across three seasons in Ann Arbor and leaves U-M with a 40-3 record, three Big Ten championships, three wins over Ohio State, two over Michigan State, a Rose Bowl win and, of course, the team's first national championship in 26 years.

Colson is thought to be a potential first-round pick by some experts. He's rated as the No. 2 available linebacker by ESPN's Field Yates and No. 3 by ESPN's Mel Kiper.

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Michigan officially has lost both of its starting linebackers, as sixth-year captain Michael Barrett has no eligibility remaining and will soon enter the NFL draft himself, which means rising junior Ernest Hausmann is the logical next man up.

The top option to compete for the starting job alongside him at the moment appears to be Jaishawn Barham, a Maryland transfer U-M added last month. Jimmy Rolder, Micah Pollard and Jaydon Hood could also figure into the mix as well.

Seniors moving on

Also official on Thursday, Zak Zinter announced via social media that he's headed to the NFL draft. The fifth-year senior was named a consensus All-American this past season, but his year ended in personal heartbreak when he broke his tibia and fibula against Ohio State.

The announcement was merely a formality; Zinter told the Free Press he planned to declare after the national championship game; he capped his career as a three-time Big Ten champion, and two-time first-team All-Big Ten guard over 42 games (41 starts).

"I am extremely thankful for every single one of my brothers on this team," Zinter's post read. "We’ve pushed each other at every level, dealt with adversity, and honored the standard of Michigan football.”

Meanwhile, senior edge rusher Jaylen Harrell became the eighth Wolverine to commit to the Senior Bowl. The 6-foot-4, 242-pound EDGE finished the 2023 season with 31 tackles (15 solo), including a team-high 10 for loss and 7½ sacks.

Offensive linemen Trevor Keegan and LaDarius Henderson, linebacker Michael Barrett and defensive back Mike Sainristil have also committed to play in the game and will enter the NFL draft, as they're out of eligibility. Harrell, fellow EDGE Braiden McGregor, tight end AJ Barner and wide receiver Roman Wilson have accepted invites, but could opt to return to Ann Arbor for a final season.

Monday is the deadline to officially declare for the 2024 draft; the Senior Bowl is Feb 3 in Mobile, Alabama, and the NFL scouting combine runs from Feb. 26-March 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football star LB Junior Colson declares for NFL draft