Chances JJ and DE return in 2024?
Is JJ really ready for the NFL? I think he needs another year of college ball
DE def needs a year of being “the guy” cuz a few great games in 2022 ain’t getting him drafted after the season he’s had in 2023
With NIL it might be worth it for both of them to stay. I may also be extremely biased :)
I think we all thought they would both be gone to the NFL after this year but I’m not so sure anymore. What do you think?
November 18th, 2023 at 10:07 PM ^
All Ill say is the defense will be primed. Bring back these two and whooo boy.
Edit. Obligatory beat Ohio.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:27 PM ^
Whoaaaaah Nelly!!!*
November 19th, 2023 at 12:18 AM ^
If JJ wants to go to the NFL, he is late first round at worst. He would grade well at the combine.
it comes down to what JJ wants to do, and NIL makes the choice easier (less downside either way).
I think JJ loves Michigan, and will be back next year.
November 19th, 2023 at 12:34 AM ^
I think this is correct.
This is a part of life, and a family dynamic, that you can never have again. JJ is the sort of man who gets that.
November 19th, 2023 at 2:16 AM ^
Do you know him?
November 19th, 2023 at 12:41 AM ^
I agree, but I think what JJ wants to do depends in no small part on what JH wants to do and does...
here's hopin'
November 19th, 2023 at 2:58 PM ^
I find this highly unlikely. This is a very deep draft at QB and teams that have late first round picks don’t need QBs. I love watching JJ, but I think he is probably a late round NFL pick at this point. I have not seen any of the people rating the draft, who usually get the draft right, rating him highly.
November 19th, 2023 at 4:35 PM ^
exactly JJ is not going in the first round If he heads to the draft he’s a mid round pick. Another very good season in college would vault him to first round
November 18th, 2023 at 10:08 PM ^
As a QB, I think you only leave early if you are going to go in the top 10-15. In the mock drafts I've seen, JJ is somewhere between middle of 1R all the way to the middle of 2R. I've only see him top 10-15 in one or maybe two mocks. If he lights up OSU and in the post season, maybe his stock climbs. Otherwise I think he should come back.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:53 PM ^
Wrong
He will interview well, he is mature, he is a nature leader, (a lot of QBs have physical tools but don't have those things see Carson Wentz along with many others) and his athleticism will show out at the combine.
NFL teams over draft QBs every single year.
I hope he comes back but NFL teams will desperate for help will draft QBs completely out of sequence vs other positions because of importance of that oosition.
November 18th, 2023 at 11:25 PM ^
He is also younger than the other qbs. That matters because his ceiling is higher. If he finishes strong than he is a lock in the top 15
November 18th, 2023 at 11:44 PM ^
Man, Alum96 you are on a heater of negativity right now. You would have no idea you’re a fan of a 11-0 football team that is 36-3 since 2021. You sound like someone who’s living through the 2008-2010 Rich Rod Era. I hope you find something that makes you happier.
November 19th, 2023 at 12:19 AM ^
If your team is doing dumb things and, therefore, failing to reach its potential, then it is not negative to point that out. And that is true even if your team is undefeated. ]
Michigan is very good this year. But Alum96 is correct to observe that Moore really did not call a good game today and, therefore, Michigan underperformed today.
November 19th, 2023 at 8:57 AM ^
Its a game vs the 4th best team in the conference sandwiched inbetween two Top 10 opponents. The team thought their HC would be back this week and 2-days before the game it was announced he wasn't, their LB coach gets fired who by all accounts was loved within the program. Constant negative press surrounding the team with distractions. Their LT didn't play, their WR1 played for 5 minutes and their QB wasn't allowed to run.
Its the first game of the season where Michigan only won by 1-possession. Georgia barely squeezed by Auburn earlier in the year, they have the #2 composite talent in the country. Are they failing to reach their potential? Ohio State, Florida State, Washington, Texas, there isn't a Top 10 team that doesn't have at least 1 disappointing game vs. an inferior opponent.
Michigan isn't going to go scorched earth on every team every game and Michigan fans that have those type of unrealistic expectations sound like some entilted silver spoon kids.
November 19th, 2023 at 10:10 PM ^
Demanded, you have described 90% of the people on this board
November 18th, 2023 at 11:58 PM ^
Too many QBs will be drafted ahead of him this year.
November 18th, 2023 at 11:59 PM ^
If he destroys OSU and they win the NC, then he probably leaves because not much else to prove at that point.
November 19th, 2023 at 8:54 AM ^
This is actually very poor logic.
He will grade out well at the combine and will get drafted in the first round. He has some very big holes in his game. Does he throw a ton of interceptions, no, but he throws a lot of balls that should be intercepted. I believe he will be a turnover machine in the pros because he never let's a play die. I don't think he has ever thrown one ball away. He will ALWAYS try and fit it in somewhere or will take a huge sack trying to scramble backwards.
JJ would benefit being drafted by a better team with more of a supporting cast around him.
He also still has a horrible deep ball in that he bever puts air under his throws.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:09 PM ^
It's a very strong QB class. JJ could definitely come back.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:09 PM ^
I would love if they come back, but I am sure they will do whatever they think best for them. I hope they come up big in 4 more games and ride off into the sunset.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:09 PM ^
Chances of them returning hinge on whether Harbaugh returns. They’re not comin back for a rebuild.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:23 PM ^
Yep, that's it right there.
November 19th, 2023 at 12:10 AM ^
Rebuild? Think again, our defense is going to be lights out again.
We have, Grant, Graham, Johnson, Hausmann, Rolder, Derek Moore, Stewart, Benny, J Hill, Walller all returning. Also maybe Colson, Braiden, Rod Moore.
Our OL depth has been built up, we have great frosh WR's, good RB's waiting their turn, Loveland will be back and even if JJ leaves, I think Orji could give us a Jalen Milroe type season.
So don't despair folks.
November 19th, 2023 at 6:51 AM ^
Minter has been outstanding. I’m worried he leaves for a bigger job. Is there yet another Ravens go getter out there??
November 19th, 2023 at 7:25 AM ^
In my opinion, there’s no chance Orji is the starter next year.
November 19th, 2023 at 9:27 AM ^
Defense will be great again. Offense is another story - not a rebuild but I'd argue it'll be a difficult reload.
We have OL depth but they aren't Keegan / Zinter (elite) types. We'll have a new QB (most likely) and a whole new RB room - I like Mullings and Hall but they are not Corum / Edwards.
We have some promising young WR's but losing Wilson and Johnson is gonna hurt.
If JJ doesn't return this could very well be a 9-3 team (unless we get a home run grad transfer QB, which is possible but I won't count on that). Like Iowa but better much better on offense.
November 19th, 2023 at 8:11 PM ^
Agree on Wilson. Tough to replace, but there's a chance portal can get replacement or near replacement level if JJ returns. Here's a wild thought: try to convince Donovan to come back in that role, move him to WR, take him out of backfield. Sacrilege? Maybe, but I think it's his best chance at next level to have a career, not a stint, in NFL.
I think Morris is already replacement level CJ. Sophomore Morgan > Freshman Morgan. Maybe English and F. Moore make some hay, but I think team will need try to get a proven upperclassman WR in portal. If JJ returns, I think odds go way up a portal guy would look at Michigan.
November 19th, 2023 at 7:30 PM ^
Yeah I'm not sure why people think next year's team will have a big drop off. Will they be as loaded as this year's team? Probably not. But we'll have to see who returns and who comes in via portal. Still, the roster will be very competitive, barring unexpected exits.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:14 PM ^
I like your odds better than mine.
25% JJ
80% Edwards.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:55 PM ^
DE still has some work to do to catch up to Barry and Walter.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:10 PM ^
I hope they’re both gone because that would mean we accomplished our mission this season.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:11 PM ^
The Don’s stock was much higher 10 months ago than it is now. He would benefit from another year as long as he stays healthy.
JJ should go regardless of how this season goes. Worst case is that he ends his career 22-3. Best case is 26-1. He’s one an incredible job here. Now he’s earned the opportunity to get paid
November 18th, 2023 at 10:44 PM ^
Hey man. We’ve been paying players for a couple of years now.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:12 PM ^
1st: Fuck Ohio
2nd: IMO, JJ would be better served for another year, but what do I know. Donovan would be a day 2 or 3 pick due to speed and athleticism
I hope they stay, would be nice to have them with that schedule next year.
3rd: Fuck Ohio
November 18th, 2023 at 10:14 PM ^
DE has already gone on record as saying he wants out after this season.
I guess anything can happen but I’d bet he’s gone after this season.
November 18th, 2023 at 11:01 PM ^
Yeah he seems more worried about the league than UM.
Very rare to see such regression from a 19-20 year old RB last year to this. I thought he could be like Gibbs from the Lions as a RB/slot but he will wilt vs NFL speed in between the tackles. He has been unable to beat Bowling Green type defenders for reasons beyond comprehension. Forget TJ Watt Warner Wagner type studs.
He seems like he has regressed like a 28 year old NFL RB does in his 29th age year where they degrade precipitously overnight. Boggled what has happened to him.
November 19th, 2023 at 12:06 AM ^
If he is interested in going to the NFL, he needs to have a hell of a game against OSU. Needs to display his ability to break tackles between the tackles like last year and get in the end zone.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:15 PM ^
On another note, I wonder which player or players snitched on partridge to the ncaa investigators? And why would partridge instruct them on what to say?
November 18th, 2023 at 10:33 PM ^
Who cares who snitched? Trying to create another controversy?
November 19th, 2023 at 12:12 AM ^
Partridge would tell players in a panic because they were being interviewed more than "just tell them the truth," which is all he could legitimately say to them.
I don't think that there was anything nefarious going on, just Partridge not thinking very clearly.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:16 PM ^
JJ should return. I'd assume Donovan will too.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:30 PM ^
Neither of them will return. RBs have limited carries in a career and Edwards will be able to take advantage of not having his eaten up in college. JJ's stock won't go up next year. He knows that. He will be in the NFL next year as well.
November 19th, 2023 at 12:08 AM ^
JJ has not looked particularly good the last few games. Needs to play confident and have a good game against OSU.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:17 PM ^
lol, they would both definitely get drafted. JJ has a ton of time left in the season against (hopefully) 4 good defenses to prove he's worth it. Donovan is too talented. He could come back to be the guy, but a running back only has so many years
November 18th, 2023 at 10:33 PM ^
Also, it feels weird to say, if this is who Donovan Edwards is after three years... I don't know if his vision as a running back is going to get much better? If this is who you are after 250+ carries, I don't know if it's changing.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:43 PM ^
Edwards is probably gonna be a WR in the NFL. He'll get slotted into a Percy Harvin type role and crush it. He's just not an every down, between the tackles athlete.
If I had to wager on either of them coming back, it'd be JJ. Another year wouldn't hurt him and the 2025 class isn't looking to be as good as 2024, so he could improve his stock. But I think it all depends on what he does the rest of the season - and that could be two more games, or four more. Either way, he seems like the kind of kid who's gonna take everything into consideration and make a thoughtful decision.
That said, given injuries if any kid has a chance to go pro (and be a 1st - 3rd rounder) I don't see why they'd come back.
November 19th, 2023 at 12:53 AM ^
Are we all going to be 95 years old and still saying “Percy Harvin type roll”?
November 19th, 2023 at 9:19 AM ^
As a UF alum, yes I probably will still be saying that at 95.
November 18th, 2023 at 10:17 PM ^
Both would definitely be drafted in the 2024 draft. JJ I still believe would go in the first round, albeit probably somewhere in the backhalf if I had to guess based on the last few weeks.
DE is more challenging to project, but he's a probably a mid round pick with the way he can catch the ball out of the backfield. That's an extremely valuable asset in today's NFL.
I think they could both improve their draft stock with a good senior season, but both are firmly on NFL draft boards in the '24 cycle.