GBMWolverine
Fansided

Michigan Football: Senior D-Line set to return, Zach Charbonnet to UCLA

By Chris Peterson

Nov 7, 2020; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Zach Charbonnet (24) is tackled by Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Tiawan Mullen (3) during the second half of the game at Memorial Stadium. The Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Michigan Wolverines 38 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Zach Charbonnet (24) is tackled by Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Tiawan Mullen (3) during the second half of the game at Memorial Stadium. The Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Michigan Wolverines 38 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Over the weekend, there was some roster news that concerns Michigan football and one of the items is that former four-star running back Zach Charbonnet has officially chosen his new team.

Charbonnet was one of the best players in the state of California back in 2019 and it made sense for a Pac-12 team to target him, which both UCLA and USC did. While the Trojans may have seemed like a logical fit, Charbonnet instead committed to Brian Kelly and UCLA.

It ends a disappointing two-year career with Michigan football that actually got off to a promising start in his freshman season. It seemed like Charbonnet was poised for a breakout year. He even scored a 70-yard touchdown on his first carry of the season.

But then, he was not given the ball much after that, so a transfer seemed inevitable, especially with Donovan Edwards, a five-star recruit coming in at running back, who was also named Mr. Football in the state of Michigan.

The Wolverines still have plenty of talent in the backfield with Hassan Haskins, Blake Corum, as well as Edwards and fellow freshman Tavierre Dunlap. But still, losing Charbonnet hurts and it will make it even worse if he becomes a star for the Bruins.

D-line reportedly set to return

While there have been plenty of departures from the Michigan football team this offseason, according to Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider (subscription required), Donovan Jeter is one that is expected back for a fifth year.

More from GBMWolverine

It’s not a big shock I guess that Jeter would return. He doesn’t have much of an NFL future at this point, so why not return and try to carve out a productive season?

Jeter was a four-star recruit out of Pennsylvania and maybe his best moment was the defensive touchdown he scored in the season opener against Minnesota.

In the new defensive scheme though, he seems like a good fit as a five technique and he could even provide some depth as nose tackle or defensive tackle if Michigan uses a four-man front.

Jeter’s return doesn’t mean the Wolverines don’t need more defensive tackles though. It should continue to be a focus in the transfer portal leading up to next season and also in the 2021 recruiting class, which has a few days before signing day.

The Wolverines added George Rooks, a four-star defensive tackle this week and could add another DT to the mix before Wednesday. But at least Jeter’s return means another body.

Home/Michigan Football