Wilson, McGregor, Barner declare Senior Bowl
Title says all. Most likely those three are gone for the NFL. Henderson received invite and then entered portal last minute and went to Michigan last year but at this moment expect those three to graduate and go pro.
Awaiting decisions from JJ, Don, Paige, Nugent, Trente, Harrell, Stewart, Colson, and Moore.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:24 AM ^
What? Penix carried a team to the precipice of a national tittle with his arm and some great WRs. He showed that he can win you games with his arm. JJ never showed that because he didn’t have to. He was on a superior team than Penix.
Penix is the better QB in terms of what the NFL wants.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:29 AM ^
Only knock on Penix is health. two knee injuries nearly ended his career and he looked roughed by the end of the game on Monday.
I think that may give some GMs pause on him but he'll certainly be drafted and probably highly so.
JJ would probably pass him only on the basis of potential and health, but I don't know enough about the NFL to know if he's got 1st round potential this year. Seems to me he doenst
January 10th, 2024 at 10:56 AM ^
While I do not disagree that Michigan fans have a bias towards JJ. I don't really understand why you think that Penix is a QB the NFL wants, he's just not that.
He's old, he has had multiple serious surgeries, his decision making is very inconsistent and down right reckless at times. The one thing most people think he's good at, throwing the deep ball, he's actually not all that good at (he only hit on 50% of his deep balls this year.) He's average to below average at driving the ball down the middle of the field, he's average on short passes, and has on the regular forced the ball to the fade or go route even when it's double or even triple covered.
He consistently had a clean and large pocket to throw from, in situations where he is under duress he frequently misses open targets, and he also has the benefit of throwing to receivers that are going to be drafted extremely high in the NFL.
JJ is young, healthy, and has a ton of potential that a lot of NFL teams drool over, if he declares for the draft you're going to see people comparing him to a guy like Josh Allen (Who I do not think he is BTW, but there will be teams that view him as having that type of potential.)
Too much can happen between now and the draft for me to put any guesses on if JJ goes in the first round or not, but I feel very confident that JJ would be picked before Penix at this point in time, who I think, once all the dust settles, will have a similar draft stock to a guy like Hooker last year.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:54 AM ^
He isn’t going before Williams, Maye, Penix, Nix, and Daniels.
Definitely not before Williams, Maye, Daniels, but could very well be the 4th QB off the board. ESPN ($) has him going 12 to the Broncos right now.
Per ESPN ($):
The consensus projection for McCarthy among NFL evaluators is first-rounder. "McCarthy isn't really allowed to do a lot at Michigan, but he's so gritty and tough," an NFC general manager said. "The moxie is through the roof. And he's a much better all-around passer than he gets credit for."
The biggest equation in McCarthy's draft stock is the unknown. Of the top six quarterbacks in the class -- Williams, Maye, Daniels, McCarthy, Penix and Oregon's Bo Nix -- he has thrown the fewest passes (472) and fewest touchdown passes (49)... But he is still firmly in the Round 1 conversation and is seen around the NFL as a potential top-15 pick, as long as he leaves school early and declares.
That said, he could very well fall behind Penix and Nix into the second round, also. I think given his relative lack of production compared to his peers, he is all over the draft boards right now - anywhere from top 12 to late 2nd round. It's kinda crazy.
January 10th, 2024 at 11:24 AM ^
They didn't have a discussion. Harbaugh said as much - he asked JJ if he wanted to talk about the future before the Rose Bowl and JJ said no he wanted to focus on the game ahead total focus.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:56 AM ^
Insiders had stated they felt good about their QB situation even if JJ left and they got no one from the portal.
That said, there's a lot more portal action coming in the spring, so pump the brakes.
I think he comes back to play himself into a 1st rounder
January 10th, 2024 at 9:58 AM ^
Which is why they never let Orgi never throw the ball.
Our eyes tell us that the QB room is not great without JJ.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:23 AM ^
Our eyes haven't seen enough to know that.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:27 AM ^
Our eyes have seen the coaches chose not to use his arm in games. That is a bit concerning.
If they go with Orgi they will need to find an elite WR or two in the portal because Orgi will need differencemakers outside to help him. Right now they have two slot WRs.
January 10th, 2024 at 11:27 AM ^
And elite WRs are coming to Michigan to play in *this* offense to play with a QB who has barely thrown because....
January 10th, 2024 at 11:27 AM ^
Let me know when you see a report from any team that "Insiders are in a panic and uncertain" about anything.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:10 AM ^
"Michigan fans see him as this great prospect and he just isn’t."
I think you're being a little harsh here. When the kid is on, his passes are bulls-eye darts - witness the earhole shots that went right past a LB against MSU and the pass of the year between a LB and a safety against OSU. Those weren't one-off's, he hits pinpoint targets like that quite often and can do it from the pocket and while running in both directions.
I will agree that he proved inconsistent as the season progressed. I'll blame the coaches/scheme somewhat because it is not pass friendly and has poor route trees and overall design. But yeah, he's a little inconsistent and certainly needs another year.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:30 AM ^
Okay. They need to make the offense more pass friendly then because it bogged down way too much this year. The national title game should have been over in the first half, but wasn’t because of subpar offensive performance vs a mediocre defense.
Offense needs to be much better in design and performance next year.
January 10th, 2024 at 11:14 AM ^
I hope JJ stays. He played really well this year, but they say he was hurt for PSU, Maryland and I think OSU. I think the NFL (and fans) want to see their QBs have 300 yard passing games like he had against Michigan State (287) and Purdue (335).
You can't really complain after winning a national championship, but the criticism of Cade McNamara was that he was a game manager and not a playmaker/elite passer. JJ's difference was that he can make plays with his legs, which he did against Washington and that he is a better passer. I'm not sure if it was his injury or our offense, but as others have said, he sort of became a game manager QB recruits like Dante Moore and Bryce Underwood (and WR recruits) have to look at that and nope out.
So, was it our offense or JJ?
I'd love to see JJ (and the Don) stay one more year with promise from Harbaugh that he'll open up the offense. Maybe bring in a stud transfer WR to replace RW and CJ.
January 10th, 2024 at 11:29 AM ^
This is where I am at. He has thrown some absolute screamers in tight windows - NFL throws.
But he has a lot fewer of those vs the other top prospects so we are guessing on his consistency there.
Further he was barely touched the first 8 games - you can see the difference pressure did to Penix. JJ rarely faced that pressure and when he did (PSU) they shut him down completely. Now that may have been due to injury but again lack of data points. How many times has he had to play in a pocket like Penix had to face. Penix probably lost some value too with that game - you have to be able to process under duress in the NFL. Penix looked great most of the year when barely touched.
Stroud for all we mock played fantastic even in the 2 losses to UM. Granted all world WR corps. But his stats stood out and then he played an all world game vs Georgia. So we see a guy like that hold up against pressure in CFB so you have more confidence on what he projects in the NFL.
In the end it's all a gamble - lots of flame outs and then a 6th rounder being a goat and the last guy selected leading San Fran to high end win counts.
As others have said, if he played in a different offense where he was throwing 30+ times a game we would have a much better idea of what he is, as would NFL scouts. Much like a Nico Collins or even DPJ it is not so easy judging QB or WR in the Michigan offense because you get less data points than say a RB OL or TE.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:39 AM ^
I'd expect more of these guys to declare than not, just based off the reasoning of "we won the national title, three Big Ten titles, haven't lost to OSU, what more is there left for me to prove at this level?"
Would love to be wrong, but these guys have to do what's best for them.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:12 AM ^
Yes, we have to take the good (the great, the incredible, that unbelievable) with the bad (to the extent that having a ton of guys go to the NFL after very successful college careers can be bad). As much as I'll miss these very special players, them graduating to the NFL is the dictionary definition of a "good problem."
January 10th, 2024 at 8:40 AM ^
This is one year where players coming back has the least significance for me since I first started being a Michigan fan 35 years ago. We just won a national championship. Although I know this feeling will pass at some point, I wish every player on our roster could make the decision to go to the NFL after a season they all just had. Go Blue!
January 10th, 2024 at 8:54 AM ^
All those with reasonable aspirations of playing in the league should go. The NFL prepares a player for playing there better than college ball does. Michigan has a roster of stockpiled talent that can replace these guys. The larger (looming) question revolves around the coaching staff.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:33 AM ^
Michigan doesn’t have anyone to replace JJ as a passer. Unless Michigan goes to the option with Orgi he isn’t a real option as a QB.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:51 AM ^
We don't know that yet. It is possible Orgi can be a lot like Milroe but Michigan just did not need it yet. I doubt he is Dan Marino-esque but his high school film showed no issue whatsoever in terms of arm strength. Certainly needs to some fine tuning but there is no reason to think that Orji cannot play quarterback.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:17 AM ^
Jamarcus Russell could throw it 70 yards on one knee!
January 10th, 2024 at 11:01 AM ^
I'll take Jamarcus Russell's college career for Orji.
January 10th, 2024 at 11:34 AM ^
No that was Joe Milton - remember we had young Vince Young waiting...
January 10th, 2024 at 3:25 PM ^
Milroe was a 62% passer in HS.
Orgi was a 51% passer as a HS senior.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:57 AM ^
I imagine if McCarthy leaves they will give Orji an opportunity to win the job in the spring. Davis will be and already is on campus and that's great, but you don't want to hand the job to a true freshman unless you have no other choice, or he's Trevor Lawrence.
That said, unless Orji just absolutely blows everyone away, I won't be surprised if Michigan waits until Spring practice is over to go hitting the portal for another QB. There will be another round of portal transfers once Spring practice is over and QBs at other schools have found that they're not going to be starting the following year. So Michigan doesn't necessarily need to be taking fliers on any remaining scraps that are out there right now.
Of course, if McCarthy returns then all of this is moot. QB position is solidified for one more year and Jadyn gets a full two offseasons to be groomed for 2025.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:07 AM ^
I think no matter what our team is going to look different next year due to how many impact players are going to leave. However, I do believe we have the talent to reload rather than rebuild for next year. We had a lot of young guys get minutes this year (especially on defense) and I can only imagine how much winning a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (I still can't believe we get to say this until the end of times!) can alleviate pressure/stress from both players and coaches moving forward. If JJ comes back, we are a top 5 team without question. If he doesn't, I have confidence we will find someone to keep us performing at a high level next season.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:15 AM ^
Why is this getting downvoted? Orji hasn't thrown a pass since the spring game. IF he was the sure fire backup then he would have gotten the Tuttle/Denegal snaps throughout the season. People are enamored with his explosive athleticism, which I get, but usually sure fire backups are allowed to throw passes in real football games.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:32 AM ^
People see doubts as criticism of the team when it isn’t.
If Orgi is your guy you need to surround him with elite skill. Michigan doesn’t have that at the WR position currently.
January 10th, 2024 at 11:36 AM ^
When Orji came in the last few games it was all on designed runs. It was ALL SET UP for trickery there because no one had a thought he would pass. If the coaches trusted him to pass again the playbook was there - everyone was cheating on him to run.
No one has a clue what we have in Orji on this board. But the coaches decisions with him make me wary to project much aside change of pace QB.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:50 AM ^
Betting Colson and Moore declare on defense.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:18 AM ^
One guy that should stay is JJ. No way that guy is a first round pick right now. Honestly same with Edwards. I can't imagine another year wouldn't benefit them.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:31 AM ^
JJ and Edwards would amost certainly increase their stock by staying (barring injury). This year's draft is going to have a considerably better QB pool than next year's.
Edwards goes into next season the #1 back, splitting carries with Mullings, most likely.
January 10th, 2024 at 11:38 AM ^
What if DE has another year like this sans the final game? Then he ain't getting drafted. There is a case for him to go on potential right now - someone will take a chance on those 4 runs (2 v OSU 2 v Bama) if he went now. If he returns and does better - sure that would help. But if is stagnant and puts out 4 big runs next year and 3.4 ypc the others he is going to hurt himself badly. Aside the 2nd run vs Bama his vision was really lacking and they went to Mullings when they wanted the tough in the trenches yards vs DE which is not a great sign for NFL teams.
Everyone assumed "coming back" = improvement for every player. It doesn't. This could be what he is. Or he could improve. Who knows.
January 10th, 2024 at 12:28 PM ^
I suspect if he got the number of carries that Blake got, he'd pop a few more of those big runs. Clearly he's capable, as he did 4x in two of the biggest game of the last two seasons. He has missed holes or mis-read blocking, I don't think that gets easier in the NFL.... His first TD on Monday, he missed the hole, fortunately he was able to bounce out and hit it on his second effort.
DE has homerun speed, which Blake doesn't.
Sure he could have a bad season as #1 back and hurt his draft stock. Coming back always carries the risk of serious injury. I think he's capable of being the #1 back and getting those carries would more likely than not help his draft stock. in this man's opinion.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:18 AM ^
I think Harbaugh declares he's leaving first and a bunch will follow with hopes of catching onto either his or John's roster.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:26 AM ^
Can we collectively start a "Vrabel to ohio state.... there is mutual interest" rumor?
the ohio fan base are clammering for day to be axed immediately and vrabel hired, everyone should go to every college football blog, message board, chat room, caucus, church picnic, pto meeting.... and spread that rumor. just for fun.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:50 AM ^
I'm on board. UM has had to deal with way more rumors the past ten years or so.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:31 AM ^
Business is finished, I get it. But I would have loved to see McGregor and Barner come back to improve their draft stock. I ain't mad at em, thanks for the ride fellas!
January 10th, 2024 at 9:32 AM ^
If JJ leaves Michigan is in a real bad way at the QB spot.
Michigan has got to get a QB. It’s frustrating that they didn’t get someone before. Now we have a situation where they need to get a Rudock-type and hope they can adjust as quickly as Jake did.
I think a few of the rest will comeback because they aren’t consider great NFL prospects so getting NIL money for one last ride makes sense.Either way, understand whatever actions the players take.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:42 AM ^
Heroes. Go get paid and come on back for free drinks anytime!
January 10th, 2024 at 9:49 AM ^
Part of the negative to potentially setting a record for NFL draft picks are a lot of one the fence guys deciding to go out on top, as opposed to coming back one more year.
Side thought: I know this is not happening, but because Blake played in the COVID year, he technically could come back. Correct? Just thinking about how absurd the team would've been on NCAA Football '25.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:54 AM ^
Yeah, he has another year of eligibility but it's an easy choice for him to move on.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:01 AM ^
After winning everything I have no complaints. Use 2024 as a rebuild year to make a run for a championship in 2025. GO BLUE!!!!
January 10th, 2024 at 10:12 AM ^
good for them! They left as 4x champions (3B1G + a National).
Go get paid and enjoy your legacy!
Go Blue
January 10th, 2024 at 10:14 AM ^
Damn, I was really hoping for another year of Barner.
>shows up, becomes the best TE in the country and wins it all, refuses to elaborate, leaves
What a player.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:27 AM ^
Is anyone going to the Senior Bowl? I am a resident in the Mobile area, and I am thinking about attending the practices. I hope to get these Michigan players to sign my Michigan helmet.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:51 AM ^
Tremendous upside to all these guys. Still basking in the afterglow and finally have some snow.
Tremendous.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:58 AM ^
Go do your thing men! Thank you!
January 10th, 2024 at 11:00 AM ^
JJ, Donovan, Mullings, Hinton, Trente, Loveland, Morris, Semaj, Mason G, Kenneth Grant, D. Moore, Hausmann, Sabb, Will Johnson.
All guys that are coming back or should come back….JJ being the biggest question. The team will lose a lot, but if this core of guys come back, I like our chances to at the very least challenge for the B1G championship again. Reload, not rebuild!