Michigan Football: 3 Second-Year Players Poised for Stardom in 2023
Fans of Michigan football can now exhale. Jim Harbaugh has confirmed that he will return for the following campaign after once more entertaining NFL rumors.
And because of the return of Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum to the backfield, as well as JJ McCarthy playing his second full season at quarterback, the Wolverines will probably be the favorites to win the Big Ten for a third consecutive year.
And these men in their second year will surely advance the cause.
#3. Derrick Moore, Linebacker
With a number of players graduating and going to the NFL over the previous few years, one could say that Michigan has evolved into the new "DLU." Next up will be Derrick Moore.
He participated in 14 games during his first season with the Wolverines, recording eight tackles and two sacks. He made several significant plays, but he hasn't even begun. Although Mazi Smith and Mike Morris are no longer part of the defensive line group, Moore will now have more opportunities to play than he did in year one.
He's not getting much attention right now as a possible breakout player for the Wolverines in 2023, which is unfortunate since he soon will.
#2. Colston Loveland, Tight End
Under the Jim Harbaugh era, the tight end position has thrived, and the 2023 season will produce similar results. Due to the departure of Luke Schoonmaker and Erick All's decision to transfer to Iowa in order to join Cade McNamara, Colston Loveleand, a promising young tight end who briefly played for the Big Ten winners last season, returns to the Wolverines.
It will be difficult to duplicate Schoonmaker's 2022 output of 35 receptions for 418 yards and three touchdowns, but Loveland appears to be a future rising star. And in 2023, he will undoubtedly surpass that amount.
JJ McCarthy already has a good relationship with Loveland since as a freshman, he had 16 catches for 235 yards and two touchdowns. His second season will be crucial because I believe he can be an All-Big Ten tight end.
#1. Will Johnson, Cornerback
Even though Will Johnson is already a star for Michigan, I don't believe he has reached his full potential yet.
The former five-star cornerback registered 27 tackles, two tackles for loss, three interceptions, and three pass breakups in his one season. The local prospect had a great year, and he'll have an even better one in 2023.
In 2022, he never appeared to be outmatched, which is unusual for a cornerback in his first season. As DJ Turner and Gemon Green are no longer with the team, the cornerback slots will be quite open. Johnson will be the obvious starter and will have to support the defensive backfield on his own.
