Michigan Wolverines news: Kris Jenkins and other ‘freaks’, a historic AP poll ranking, and more
Michigan football received its highest preseason ranking in the AP poll since 1991, plus more Michigan Wolverines news.
Since the arrival of Jim Harbaugh as Michigan football head coach, the Michigan Wolverines have been in the AP Poll quite often.
When the AP Preseason Top 25 poll was released on Monday, with Michigan football ranked as the No. 2 team in the country, it was the 59th poll that had the Michigan Wolverines in the top 10 during the Jim Harbaugh era.
Before his arrival, from 2008-2014, Michigan football was ranked in the AP Top 10 just one time. That shows you how far the Wolverines have come under Harbaugh, who is now seeking a third consecutive Big Ten title, despite ridiculous allegations from the NCAA.
It’s still pretty historic because U-M hasn’t started a season ranked this high in the AP poll since 1991. The Wolverines also received two first-place votes, one of which was from Rece Davis.
Michigan football has four ‘freaks’
Bruce Feldman of The Athletic has been putting out his list of the biggest freaks in college football over the past few years and has now released the 2023 version, which includes four Michigan football players highlighted by defensive tackle Kris Jenkins at No. 6.
Amorion Walker, Alex Orji, and Roman Wilson are the other freaks. Wilson is incredibly fast and he’s going to have a huge season as a wide receiver for the Michigan Wolverines, you can just feel it. Walker is battling to start at corner, and Orji is a backup quarterback.
However, we keep hearing rumblings about Orji being used in other ways, such as a runner. When you have Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards though, you want most runs to go to those guys, so we’ll see how much action Orji actually gets.
Lavert Hill signs with Pittsburgh Steelers
Former Michigan Wolverines standout Lavert Hill has signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, giving him another crack in the NFL.
Hill went undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft after being named All-Big Ten back in 2018. He had six career interceptions for Michigan football, and two defensive touchdowns, as well as 20 pass defended.
Next. Projected Michigan football depth chart for 2023. dark
Hill earned his shot in the NFL after a really solid campaign in the XFL. He played 10 games for the St. Louis Battlehawks and recorded 25 tackles and two interceptions, which earned him All-XFL honors. Now, it has earned Hill another shot in the league and here’s hoping he sticks.