Identity Shift Under Sherrone Moore Is Key For Michigan Football Heading Into The 2024 Season

Heading into the 2023 season, Michigan was a program that most expected to be a very good football team, but there was still the expectation that it wouldn’t quite be enough. They had just come off of an embarrassing 51-45 loss in the playoffs to TCU a year prior, a game that the Wolverines had no business losing. That loss became even more unsettling once the Horned Frogs were throttled in the National Championship game 65-7 to the University of Georgia. Michigan would have undoubtedly stood a better chance in that game than TCU but it begged the question: Just how big was the gap between the Wolverines and the college football elite?

It could have most certainly been fool’s gold but there was a moment very early in the 2023 season where there was a question as to whether the “college football elite” was truly elite. There were some good football teams, as there always are, but it did look like a more wide-open field than usual. Could that be because of the transfer potential or access to throw around some “NIL money”? That certainly could play a part in the parity, but regardless, there was an argument to be made that more well-rounded teams without a ton of deficiencies had a higher chance to come out on top more than ever. It might come down to the team with the fewest flaws.

That was Michigan in 2024, resulting in a championship. Were they the most top-heavy group in college football? Absolutely, not. Did they have an elite player? Maybe in a couple of spots but they somewhat went unnoticed throughout the majority of the season. Was there an obvious weak spot? Not one that someone could see clearly.

We saw 18 former Michigan players invited to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, with 13 of them being drafted in April. The former was an NFL Draft record, while the latter was a high for the 2024 NFL Draft. That speaks to the volume of talent, as well as the experience. When you have that many talented upperclassmen, it is easy to buy into a culture and put out a tremendous product on the field.

The depth of the 2024 Michigan team ended up winning out. They were simply deeper than Ohio State, Alabama, and Washington; the three teams they had to beat down the stretch to help capture their first title since 1997. Now with the target on their back, the Wolverines head into the 2024 season with a much different recipe for success. As stated, they are losing a lot of veteran talent. The depth will just not be to the level we saw in 2023. The frontline talent, however, could be what drives Michigan back toward the top.

ELITE TALENT COMING BACK

There were some who liked to look quickly at the Michigan roster defects, 2024 schedule, the coaching changes, and immediately dismiss their chances. That seems like an ill-advised perspective, seriously underestimating the talent they do have coming back in 2024. What they are losing in talent, they are more than making up for with future high draft picks and several players who could contend to be the top player at their position nationally in the fall.

The 2024 version of the Wolverines starts with their defense, where they could be featuring several top 2025 NFL Draft picks come next April. If you start on the defensive line, you will find defensive tackle Mason Graham, who was arguably the top player on the Michigan roster during its playoff run. No. 55 in the middle of the defense is an elite run defender who has been a regular in first round mock drafts this summer. His partner in crime inside, Kenneth Grant, might even be more physically gifted. At a listed 6-3 and 339 pounds (there’s no way he’s only 339 pounds), Grant is an impressive mover for his size. There is a chance that the Wolverines have the best interior duo in the country this upcoming season.

Michigan’s best overall player on the team is cornerback Will Johnson, who has also been a favorite in the top ten of preseason mock drafts so far. His combination of size (6-2, 204 pounds), football intelligence and movement skills is an impressive combination. Johnson also has an argument as the top overall cornerback in college football this upcoming fall.

On defense, there is also a long list of players who could be drafted come April. While they might not go nearly as high as the previously mentioned player, the depth is impressive. Pass rushers Josiah Stewart and Derrick Moore, linebacker Jaishawn Barham, and safeties Makari Paige and Rod Moore ( even with his preseason injury ) are very much worth keeping an eye on.

On offense, there are bigger remaining question marks. But even that side of the football has high-level talent. That includes tight end Colton Loveland, who is widely considered the top tight end returning in college football after a breakout sophomore campaign.

The biggest wildcard talent on the whole team might be running back Donovan Edwards, who was expected to take a giant leap in 2023 and potentially declare early for the 2024 NFL Draft. That did not go to plan. After 1,191 total yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore, Edwards averaged less than 2.5 yards per touch in 2023 and 400 fewer yards despite playing in 15 games. Health was an issue last season, but when he is healthy, Edwards is a dynamic offensive player with home run ability. Just turn on the Washington game last season.

If Michigan doesn’t win, or takes a massive step back in 2024, it won’t be because of the top end talent on the roster.

HOW MUCH DOES QUARTERBACK PLAY MATTER?

In a vacuum, a lot. Quarterback is not only the most important position in football but arguably in all of sports. We can’t undersell its importance.

For some programs, however, the overall importance of the quarterback can differ. On the championship team last season, JJ McCarthy was a valuable member of the Wolverine offense. His raw stats were good, but not spectacular. McCarthy’s biggest impacts were being a steadying force and making some timely plays in the biggest moments.

Would anyone consider McCarthy a top five quarterback in college football past season? Would anyone consider the Wolverines a dynamic passing offense? Would anyone say that passing was the offense's identity? The answer is probably no to each one of those questions.

With the running game and trench play being the identity of the program, there is a world where the quarterback position can be good enough, but not overly spectacular and they could still be successful. That’s the most reasonable vision for the 2024 season.

Redshirt sophomore Alex Orji is the one slated to be the starting quarterback to begin the season. He is an intriguing, but enigmatic player who brings a lot of potential and question marks to the table. The biggest questions surrounding Orji are in his consistency as a passer, and general accuracy.

Those are never concerns any quarterback wants to have. The good news is that Orji does bring athletic skills to the table that should allow to supplement some production and make his impact felt. Some of the athletic testing numbers that have been associated with Orji almost feel mythical. At nearly 240 pounds, it has been reported that Orji has recorded a 41 inch vertical jump, broad jump 10’6”, ran 3.97 seconds in the short shuttle, and 6.65 seconds in the three-cone drill. All those numbers are incredible for a quarterback his size.

Things aren’t going to look the same with Orji compared to McCarthy. The passing game will probably not be as efficient but the dynamic he brings as a runner could be able to make up for that. Different isn’t always worse, sometimes it’s just different.

TRUSTING IN SHERRONE MOORE

Jim Harbaugh was a very, very strange guy. But when he isn’t eating his own boogers, he’s winning a lot of football games and being a tremendous coach. He left for the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason, leaving a major void. Coach Harbaugh built Michigan back to a level we haven’t seen in recent memory.

The Wolverines are being turned over to a very familiar name in Sherrone Moore. What exactly will things look like Under Coach Moore? We have a small understanding considering that he served as a head coach during four football games in 2024 while Coach Harbaugh was suspended. That included the program's 30-24 victory over rival Ohio State.

While that small sample size is promising, things will undoubtedly look different. It’s safe to assume that Michigan will be built off of similar values, although Coach Moore will have his own spin. That’s where the question comes in. Will he be able to sustain that success? How will Coach Moore handle the everyday process or building a team? Those are the things we don’t know.

From a roster perspective, one thing that is very comforting is that Coach Moore will still be heavily involved with developing the offensive line. During his rise as offensive coordinator the last couple of seasons, that’s what Michigan has been built off of. Heading into 2024, that is the team’s biggest question mark.

From a talent perspective, the offensive line has a chance to be good but anything you have to replace five starters, a lot of questions will surface. It may be irrational but if there’s one thing you would feel good about for Michigan in 2024, figuring out the offensive line might be at the top of the list. That is the biggest key to try and replicate success this season.

There are no guarantees that Michigan will be the same team, or nearly close, in 2024 that they were in 2023. The naysayers have validity in their skepticism. Things will have to go right but there is still reason for optimism for the Wolverine in 2024.