Five Players Who Can Help Michigan Win the 2024 National Championship

By Beck Silver

In a season plagued by uncertainty for the Michigan Wolverines , after sending 18 players to the NFL Draft, who can they count on? I’ve put together a non-comprehensive list of Michigan’s proven returning production - players who have made an impact in the past and will be integral this year in the Wolverine’s quest to defend the title . Many media sources are ready to give up on the Wolverines this year, some even ranking them outside of the top ten. These players are ready to prove the pre-season media wrong for the fourth year in a row .

Prior to the list, an honorary mention to Rod Moore who, unfortunately, suffered a season-ending ACL tear during spring practice. Moore would have had another big year after sealing The Game with a late interception last fall.

Kenneth Grant (DT)

Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant is looking to replicate the success and production he saw last year. Bringing 29 tackles (5.0 for loss), 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, five pass breakups, one interception, and one fumble recovery, Grant had a very strong sophomore season . The Junior earned Second Team All-Big Ten by coaches and Third Team All-Big Ten by the media. Grant is looking to continue his development this year alongside Mason Graham . This duo will be one of, if not, the best in college football this season and will be a big part of Michigan’s elite defense.

Mason Graham (DT)

Defensive Tackle Mason Graham is looking down the barrel of a big junior season. After a very successful 2023 season (36 tackles, 7.5 for loss and 3.0 sacks with three quarterback hurries, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery) Graham has returned and is expected to be both a starter and leader on Team 145. In the 2023 season, Graham was named First Team All-Big Ten by coaches, Third Team All-Big Ten by media, and was the Defensive MVP in the Rose Bowl after a critical tackle for loss in overtime. Graham will be half of Michigan’s dynamic defensive duo alongside Kenneth Grant this season.

Donovan Edwards (RB)

Running Back Donovan Edwards is expected to have a big year with the Wolverines in the 2024 season. Fitting right into the run-first offensive scheme that Michigan and Sherrone Moore love, Edwards has already racked up north of 1600 yards in his three seasons in his three seasons. He had a huge year in 2022, stepping up after star RB Blake Corum’s knee injury held him to six yards before being pulled from The Game.

Although Edwards had a quieter year last year, still behind Corum in the depth chart, he made a huge impact in the National Championship with two long touchdown runs against the Huskies.

Edwards will be heavily relied upon in the run game, however at Big Ten Media days both he and Sherrone Moore alluded to the abilities of second-string RB Kalel Mullings , who is expected to have a breakout season this year. Edwards and Mullings will likely share carries, with Edwards taking the bulk of them, as Michigan continues their run-heavy offense.

Colston Loveland (TE)

Colston Loveland is another player going into a big junior season. Loveland has been hugely impactful since his freshman year and caught his first career touchdown in Michigan’s 45-23 win in The Game. In the 2023 season, Loveland caught 45 passes for 649 yards and four touchdowns . Loveland was named First Team All-Big Ten by coaches and Second Team All-Big Ten by the media.

In addition to his solid receiving production, the star TE’s size (6’5”, 245lbs) makes him a great blocker. Loveland will likely be the best tight end in college football for the 2024 season and the Wolverines have high expectations for him. One uncertainty for the Wolverines is their wide receiver room, although it is the home of potential breakout player Tyler Morris . This uncertainty may lead to a heavier reliance on Loveland’s receiving ability, especially in the first few games.

Will Johnson (CB)

Cornerback Will Johnson is arguably the best player on the Wolverines’ roster. Johnson is entering his junior season as the best cornerback in college football (and the #1 overall player in EA College Football 25) and is expected to maintain that title with another high-impact year. Johnson’s production in the 2023 season included 27 tackles, eight pass breakups and four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), making him a consensus First-Team All-Big Ten selection.

Johnson was also named the Defensive MVP for his role in the 2023 National Championship win against the Washington Huskies. In this game Johnson intercepted Michael Penix Jr’s first passing attempt of the second half, heavily shifting the momentum in the Wolverine’s favor.

There's no question that the Michigan Wolverines have a lot of talent to replace. However, Michigan also returns some of the sport's most elite players. Does Michigan have some uncertainties and questions? Absolutely, but who doesn't?

OSU ran a solid QB in Kyle McCord out of town after last season's loss and now doesn't have a great plan (presumably they'll be starting Will Howard). They also brought in Alabama center Seth McLaughlin who struggled greatly against the Wolverines in the Rose Bowl last year. Oregon is attempting to replace Bo Nix and while Dillon Gabriel is good, Nix was elite. Georgia is facing culture issues and run-ins with law enforcement which is actively costing them players. Texas lost star WR Xavier Worthy to the draft. Alabama has a brand new head coach in Kalen DeBoer and lost much of their roster to the portal.

The above teams are the best in the sport. Many of them are favored to win their conference and they're all expected to make (and some of them are expected to win) the College Football Playoffs, yet they all have some glaring question marks. If these can overcome the adversity of some lost talent, who's to say Michigan can't?