Tag: Michigan

2024 NFL draft: Chargers hosted LB Junior Colson on top 30 visit

Junior Colson reunited with some of his former coaches from Michigan.

According to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Michigan linebacker Junior Colson is meeting with “friendly faces” in Los Angeles for a top-30 visit with the Chargers.

Presumably, Colson would be reunited with former Michigan coaches Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter at the Chargers’ Costa Mesa facility. It would mark the team’s second official top-30 visit for a Wolverine player in this cycle. Blake Corum had a meeting with the Bolts about two weeks ago.

Colson is arguably the headliner of this linebacker class, along with names like Payton Wilson and Edgerrin Cooper. The Chargers also met with Cooper on April 4th. It looks like LA is at least doing its research on a linebacker class that is viewed as top-heavy by many.

The former Michigan national championship linebacker is considered to be one of the best in coverage in the class. Colson registered an 83.4 PFF grade in coverage in 2023 and run defense grades of 80+ in each of the last two seasons.

The Chargers need more true starting-caliber linebackers even after the signing of Denzel Perryman. Colson, and presumably Daiyan Henley, would go a long way in nullifying some of Perryman’s known coverage deficiencies at his age.

Given Colson’s relationship with Minter, one has to wonder if he’s a potential dark horse candidate to take up green-dot play-calling responsibilities if drafted by the team.

When first hired, Minter stressed the importance of not overwhelming star safety Derwin James with responsibilities. While James could theoretically take over the green dot role post-Brandon Staley, it would be interesting to see if the new Chargers’ defensive coordinator looks towards another name on the defensive side of the ball instead. Colson would undoubtedly be a contender for that responsibility if drafted by LA.

Breaking down picks for Chargers in The Draft Network’s 4-round mock draft

The Chargers kick off the draft by selecting Rome Odunze.

As the 2024 NFL draft inches closer, The Draft Network’s Damian Parson released his latest four-round projections.

To kick things off, the Chargers stand pat at No. 5 overall after the Cardinals select wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and take WR Rome Odunze.

At 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds, Odunze is a talented receiver with great size, good route running and savvy, strong hands and contested catch ability.

Odunze set a school record this past season with 1,640 receiving yards, the most in the NCAA. His 92 receptions were just two shy of a single-season program record, and he was named a first-team all-American.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh has already had a good look at Odunze when Washington faced Michigan in the National Championship game. Odunze finished with five catches for 87 yards.

In Round 2, Los Angeles beefs up the offensive line with the selection of Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton.

Guyton is a raw player at the position, having only started playing tackle in college after being a defensive end. However, he is a great athlete with the physical ability to mold into a good NFL starter.

Guyton could sit behind Trey Pipkins and continue to develop his game before taking over at right tackle.

In Round 3, the Bolts get a familiar face for Harbaugh by picking running back Blake Corum.

After signing Gus Edwards, Los Angeles is still building their backfield, and they see Corum as a complement.

Corum was productive for the Wolverines this past season, rushing for 1,245 yards and a program-record 27 touchdowns en route to the school’s national title. He finished his collegiate career with a whopping 58 rushing scores.

Corum isn’t the youngest player—he will be 24 this upcoming season—but he has already put in plenty of mileage. He has the patience, vision, and quickness to be an effective back in the NFL.

With their first selection in Round 4, L.A. addresses the secondary with cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett. Pritchett is well-built for the position, with the speed and foot quickness to stay in phase with receivers and the versatility to play inside/outside and in different coverages.

Five picks later, Harbaugh takes another Michigan player in wide receiver Cornelius Johnson. Johnson is a big-bodied deep threat with raw athleticism and good playmaking ability to make contested catches. He is also physical in the run-blocking department.

Watch: Jake Evans’ game-winning goal in 2018 Frozen Four

Remember this?

Not long ago, Notre Dame was a regular contender for national championships. Perhaps that’s why quite a few NHL players today once played in South Bend. Among those is [autotag]Jake Evans[/autotag], who has done pretty well for himself with the Montreal Canadiens. But whatever he does the rest of his career, few feelings will compare to the game-winning goal in the 2018 Frozen Four against Michigan:

As of this writing, it’s been six years and one day since Evans etched himself into Irish lore forever. The Irish ended up losing to Minnesota-Duluth in the national championship game, but Evans contributed to the Irish’s cause in that game with the secondary assist on their lone goal by [autotag]Andrew Oglevie[/autotag].

Perhaps someday, there will be a moment that surpasses this one and ends with the Irish as the last team standing. For the moment though, there is an established precedent that they can get as close as possible without actually winning it all. Most programs would take that in a heartbeat.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

New Orleans Saints sign another free agent linebacker

NFL Network reports the New Orleans Saints signed another free agent linebacker, adding Khaleke Hudson from the Washington Commanders:

Here’s more help at linebacker. The New Orleans Saints are signing free agent Khaleke Hudson from the Washington Commanders, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, who says it’s a one-year deal. Hudson played a lot of snaps on both defense (405) and special teams (344) last season, and he’s looking to build on that growth in 2024. He had 74 tackles in 2023.

A former fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft out of Michigan, Hudson is stepping into a good situation to compete. The Saints lost Zack Baun in free agency and have not re-signed special teams aces like Andrew Dowell, Ryan Connelly, or Ty Summers. Another one of their top backups, Nephi Sewell, isn’t expected to be ready in time for training camp after suffering a late-season ACL tear. Hudson has a good shot at making the team.

So the Saints will have Demario Davis starting at one spot and Pete Werner competing with Willie Gay next to him. Hudson enters the mix with Sewell, D’Marco Jackson, Anfernee Orji, and Monty Rice to round out the depth chart. Last year five linebackers made the 53-man roster and four more were kept on the practice squad, so we should expect more additions in the months ahead.

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Chargers sign FB Ben Mason

The Chargers added a fullback.

The Chargers signed fullback Ben Mason on Tuesday.

Drafted by the Ravens in the fifth-round pick of the 2021 NFL draft, Mason has only logged one career snap.

During his college career at Michigan, Mason played a few positions but he was most effective as a fullback. He scored seven touchdowns in 2018 and was an excellent blocker in the run game.

His familiarity with Greg Roman’s offense and his blocking prowess should make him a good fit for Los Angeles, which will put an emphasis on the running game.

2024 NFL draft: Chargers hosting RB Blake Corum on visit

The Chargers are bringing in a running back that Jim Harbaugh is familiar with.

The Chargers are hosting former Michigan running back Blake Corum on a pre-draft visit, Corum said on the Rich Eisen Show.

“I’m excited to go talk to Coach Harbaugh and the new staff that I don’t already know and see what it’s like out there,” Corum said.

After signing Gus Edwards, Los Angeles is still building their backfield and they see Corum, who is familiar with Jim Harbaugh, as a potential target.

Corum was productive for the Wolverines this past season, rushing for 1,245 yards and a program-record 27 touchdowns en route to the school’s national title. He finished his collegiate career with a whopping 58 rushing scores.

Corum isn’t the youngest player, set to be 24 this upcoming season, and he already has plenty of mileage used. But he has the patience, vision, and quickness to be an effective back in the NFL.

Corum projects as a mid-round selection.

Mutual interest reported between former Wisconsin G Connor Essegian and a Big Ten rival

There is mutual interest between former Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian and Michigan, according to a report from 247Sports.

There is mutual interest between former Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian and Michigan, according to a report from 247Sports’ Davis Moseley.

The young guard entered the transfer portal on Sunday after a quiet second season with the Badgers. He averaged 3.2 points and 7.3 minutes per game in 2023-24, down from 11.7 points and 27.4 minutes per game as a freshman in 2022-23.

Related: If Wisconsin decides to move on from Greg Gard, who could it target as its next head coach?

Essegian transferring isn’t entirely surprising. It would have been tough for him to crack Wisconsin’s guard rotation in 2024-25 with Chucky Hepburn, John Blackwell, Max Klesmit and A.J. Storr set to return.

A potential transfer to Michigan would certainly be an interesting twist in Essegian’s relationship with the Wisconsin faithful. He remains a fan favorite even with the decision to transfer, though landing at Michigan could change things.

The Wolverines are working to rebuild their program after firing Juwan Howard following an 8-24 season. Former Florida Atlantic head coach Dusty May was recently hired and appears to already be at work in the portal.

For more on Wisconsin’s roster and transfer portal activity, check out Badgers Wire’s ongoing 2024 transfer portal tracker.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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Seahawks send 3 assistants to watch Michigan Pro Day

Seahawks send 3 assistants to watch Michigan Pro Day

By and large, the initial waves of free agency have come and gone. Now, teams are gearing up in full force for the 2024 NFL draft. Such is the case for the Seattle Seahawks, who have taken a trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The reigning National Champions, the Michigan Wolverines, are hosting their annual pro day for their NFL prospects. In attendance are coaching representatives for the Seahawks.

Seattle’s offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb made the trek to Michigan. He was joined by offensive line coach Scott Huff and linebackers coach Josh Bynes. Interestingly, head coach Mike Macdonald was not there. Seeing as though he was previously defensive coordinator for the Wolverines, his absence is at the very least notable.

Still, having top assistants there does mean quite a bit, especially when one is the man in total control of the offense.

The biggest name is of course quarterback JJ McCarthy, whom the Seahawks have met with. By nature of them acquiring Sam Howell via trade, it seems unlikely McCarthy will end up in Seattle. But then again, this is the NFL, and nothing is ever truly impossible.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Grading Seattle’s second wave of free agent signings, trades

Ranking all 32 NFL teams after first wave of 2024 free agency

O’Connell, Adofo-Mensah not at J.J. McCarthy’s pro day

Does it matter that head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah are not at J.J. McCarthy’s pro day?

While in search of a quarterback, the Minnesota Vikings are doing their due diligence to find their quarterback of the future. With that in mind, their absence from J.J. McCarthy’s pro day raises a major question.

Why weren’t they there?

It’s very common for general managers and head coaches of top quarterbacks to be at the pro day but O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah chose not to attend. It’s a peculiar choice on the surface but it makes sense when you look at it further.

Earlier in the week, it was reported that the Vikings would be holding a private workout with McCarthy. During pro days, you get time with the player but there are up to 31 other teams who also could want time to him as well. A private workout can give them a lot more information than spending a fraction of the time with him at the pro day would. You will get to see a lot more than just him throwing the football, especially since the major pro days are often aired on television.

Don’t read too much into the private workout either, as the Vikings will likely have them with all of the top quarterbacks in the NFL draft.

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Ex-Giants DC Wink Martindale the highest-paid assistant in college football

Former New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is reportedly the highest-paid assistant coach in college football.

Former New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is now the highest-paid assistant coach in college football, reports Doug Samuels of Football Scoop.

Martindale and the Giants parted ways in January after a falling out with head coach Brian Daboll. Less than a month later, he landed the defensive coordinator position with the University of Michigan where he reportedly signed a three-year deal with a base salary of $2.3 million in 2024.

That number will increase to $2.5 million in 2025 and $2.7 million in 2026.

“Wink’s awesome, man. I love Wink,” Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said, via The Athletic. “He’s such a great, vibrant person, a great human being, obviously an extremely intelligent coach. The boys love him. He brings such a great vibe to the team, and experience, obviously.”

Martindale has had quite a successful career as an assistant coach. He was the coach of several amazing NFL defenses including the Super Bowl XLVII champion Baltimore Ravens.

Most recently with New York, in his first year, he led the Giants to the 18th-best scoring defense after years of misery for Big Blue. His defensive prowess helped the Giants win nine regular season games that season and a playoff game.

However, the team’s defense stats fell to 26th in the league during the 2023 regular season. Martindale was not getting the trademark pressure on the quarterback from his troops that he was so well known for. He will now have big shoes to fill at Michigan as they are coming off of a national championship with college football’s best defense.

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