Michigan Football: 3 Positions That Need Answers Going Into 2023
The 2023 Michigan football season has the potential to be a special one for the Wolverines. With a plethora of returning weapons, numerous high-level transfers, and a handful of promising freshmen, the team has very few holes on paper.
Players, coaches, and fans know what they’re getting in most spots.; J.J. McCarthy will be able to sling the ball around at quarterback. The stable of edge rushers at Jesse Minter’s disposal will once again wreak havoc on opposing backfields. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards will look to be the best running back duo in the country.
But not everything is as clear, nor as glamorous. With all of the bright spots this team has going into fall camp, there are a few questions that need to be answered. These questions could very well determine the type of season Michigan football has on the field and will be critical for the Wolverines to answer.
Cornerback
Two-thirds of the Michigan football corner slots are locked down. Sophomore Will Johnson has the potential to be one of the top corners nationwide outside, and grad student Mike Sainristil will look to repeat his great 2022 season in the nickel slot.
Who is lined up opposite of Johnson, however, remains entirely in the air.
Sophomore wide receiver convert Amorion Walker is a freak athlete that had a lot of buzz during spring practice, but showed there was still work to be done after a shaky spring game.
UMass transfer Josh Wallace has two years of solid experience under his belt, but only recently joined the team and is unproven against power five competition. Sophomores Ja’Den McBurrows and Myles Pollard could also be in the mix but also lack experience.
While they’ll have time to figure it out, it’s crucial that the Wolverines are able to find and develop someone that can play at an elite level as a second corner.
Rival Ohio State returns both Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, who are elite receivers that can torch just about anyone.
When the two play, it’s entirely possible that the division will once again be at stake, and failure to contain either of those two could swing the game in favor of the Buckeyes. The battle for the position will be one to keep an eye on not just in the fall, but as the season progresses.