Five Michigan football storylines to watch during fall camp

These are key storylines to watch. #GoBlue

It’s August, which means two things: Michigan started fall camp on Wednesday, and college football games will be played at the end of the month.

Michigan won’t be playing any games in August, the Wolverines start the season against Colorado State on September 3rd, but that’s only one month away. The maize and blue return most of the offense, but the defense will look a little different this season after losing the likes of Aidan Hutchinson, David Ojabo, Josh Ross, Daxton Hill, and Brad Hawkins.

The Wolverines are coming off of a Big Ten Championship year, and coming off their first College Football Playoff appearance. The maize and blue finished No. 3 in the final AP poll of the 2021 season. Expectations are going to be very high this season in Ann Arbor.

There are going to be plenty to watch from afar this fall. There will be intense position battles, and it will be very telling on who gets the start in week 1.

Here are our five storylines to watch this fall in Ann Arbor.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=60918]

Big Ten coaches anonymously talk Michigan football

What do you think about their assessments? @GoBlue

Athlon Sports came out with an article on Tuesday in which other Big Ten coaches talk anonymously about the schools residing in the conference.

Athlon Sports asked for honest assessments from the coaches that it contacted, but in order to do so, it needed to be anonymous.

When it comes to Michigan, it appears there were four different coaches that had a say about the Wolverines.

The first coach talked about Michigan being a changed program in 2021. The unnamed coach said the energy was different — for the better — and the Wolverines had more speed. This coach thinks Michigan is pretty loaded on offense, but the coach is curious about how Jim Harbaugh and Michigan handle the quarterback situation between Cade McNamara and JJ McCarthy.

“This was a changed program in 2021, and the results reflect that. Even before they beat OSU or won the conference, I think the coaches in the league knew it could happen. You saw a different energy here; they had more speed than in recent years, and they were still just as physical. They were violent on film. It was Michigan football. They had two good backs that got downhill, one is coming back this year, and I expect more of the same on offense. They have good tight ends, and they’re still young overall on offense. The big pieces are in place on this side of the ball. We’re curious how they’re managing the two quarterbacks and if J.J. [McCarthy] gets more time. They both have upsides, but that’s always a tricky thing to manage correctly.”

The second coach has questions about the Michigan defense. He noted that both Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo are gone, and it’s not just a plug-and-play situation. The Wolverines will be trying to replace NFL players, and the coach wonders how that will work.

“Defensively, you can’t just replace those edge guys. Those are NFL players, and Michigan is great, but that’s not a plug-and-play situation for anybody. So the defense will have a different identity. The measure of this program is how they replace league-caliber guys who leave. How deep can you stock your roster to where you’re sending these guys off and still competing close to that level?”

The third coach has a short statement about new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Minter is coming from Vanderbilt, but he worked with former Michigan coordinator Mike Macdonald with the Baltimore Ravens. This coach doesn’t believe Michigan will see much of a scheme change with the coordinator change. During Big Ten media days, the players had similar sentiments.

“[DC Jesse] Minter will transition right in; I don’t think you’re going to see any kind of departure in terms of scheme.”

The fourth and final coach wants to see how Michigan resupplies after 2021. Does losing so many good players on the defensive side of the ball hurt the Wolverines, or do they have enough players to soften the blow?

“What you’re looking for this year is how fast they resupply. Was ’21 the exception or the new rule?”

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=61156]

Mazi Smith says Olu ‘is going to make that o-line so much better’

Super excited Michigan landed him! #GoBlue

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Michigan offensive line won the Joe Moore Award for being the best offensive line unit in all of college football in 2021. The Wolverines return three of the five starters, but they lost Andrew Vastardis and Andrew Steuber from that prolific offensive line.

At the right tackle position, replacing Steuber won’t be easy, but Michigan has two viable candidates that can get the job done. Trente Jones appears to have the inside track of getting the starting nod, but Karsen Barnhart will be battling to get the job during Fall camp.

Jim Harbaugh went transfer portal hunting to find a replacement for Andrew Vastardis at center and found an excellent one. The Wolverines landed Olu Oluwatimi from Virginia. The former Cavalier was a Rimington Award finalist in 2021, which is an award given to the nation’s best center. Oluwatimi was also an All-American and he took the most snaps of any center in the ACC last year with 910 snaps.

Oluwatimi has the experience and grit to step right in as the starter on day one for Michigan. Of course, he has three years of starting experience at Virginia and he has made 32-straight starts.

On Tuesday, during Big Ten media days in Indianapolis, we heard a few players talk about the new starting center in Ann Arbor. Mazi Smith was one of the players that Michigan took, and he shared his excitement to line up against Oluwatimi in practice. Smith said it’s nice to go up against someone that won’t lay down.

“He a monster man, like me, so it’s fun you know iron sharpens iron and we kind of adopted the definition of that when he got here,” said Smith during Big Ten media days. “We talked about it and I haven’t had a center to go up against like him since Cesar Ruiz. I’m just like I love going against guys that that ain’t gonna lay down like Olu. He’s athletic, he’s big, he’s strong, he’s competitive, he’s everything that you want in a center.  He’s going make that o-line so much better you know and he gonna make me so much better.”

It’s also important that the incumbent starting quarterback has a good comradery with the starting center. On Tuesday, Cade McNamara was asked about his relationship with Oluwatimi. He shared that Olu has been McNamara’s roommate on the tour of Michigan trip that the team has taken, and Olu has taught him a few things.

“I think our relationship has done nothing, but just continued to grow,” McNamara explained on Tuesday. “On the trip, he’s been my roommate, and I’m happy that we were able to do that, that we were able to room together. He’s teaching me some new things already. And some stuff he’s talked to me about, you know, some of his experiences. I just really look forward to getting to know him better. I don’t worry about Olu as far as whether he’s working hard or if he’s gonna be ready for the season. I don’t worry about that at all. I just want to make sure that he’s comfortable and that he’s enjoying his time here in Michigan.”

A popular question on Tuesday was asking each player to name a surprise player or a breakout player for the fall. McNamara didn’t want to name any surprise player, but he did mention his new center. McNamara stated that Oluwatimi would have a big impact on the team in 2022.

“I think we have, I mean, we just have a lot of talent on our team,” said McNamara. “We have a lot of guys who are gonna play big roles. There’s also a lot of dudes with a lot of experience. I think those guys are going to be counted on when we face adversity. But I mean, as far as who’s the one guy you might see playing time a little extra this year, a freshman or newcomer, we’re all pretty well aware that Olu is going to have an extremely big impact on our team. That’s one I’m extremely confident he’s going to play well this season. But as far as who’s going to be a surprise, we’ll see.”

As good as Michigan’s offensive line was in 2021, adding a Rimington Award finalist to an already stout line can only add fear into the opponent’s defense. The Wolverines can most certainly have an even better offensive line in 2022 with the addition of Oluwatimi.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=61122]

Erick All: Turning the 2020 season from ‘the worst season I’ve ever played’ into a key role for 2022

Awesome to see him bounce back from that 2020 season. #GoBlue

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Going into the 2020 season tight end Erick All was being called a “sure-handed” pass-catcher according to teammates and his coaches. The four-star recruit from the class of 2019 from Fairfield (Ohio) was predicted to be a major breakout performer for the 2020 season, but drops got in the way.

According to Pro Football Focus, All dropped 25% of balls that were on target to him, and the analytic site gave All a 28.1 grade for hands/drops. 2020 was not a good year for the tight end.

Erick All was one of the four Michigan football players that attended the Big Ten media days on Tuesday in Indianapolis, and he was asked about that 2020 season and what it did to him mentally. All acknowledged that it was the worst season he has ever played. He gives thanks to mentor Greg Harden — who would mentor student-athletes at Michigan — for helping him get his focus back.

“Man, it’s that was my worst season I’ve ever played in my life,” All admitted during Big Ten media days. “Ever. And I’m like, it’s just the game. Like, when when I talked to Greg, Mr. Greg Harden, he basically put me back in that mindset. And basically reminded me football is a game, you’re supposed to have fun, you’re not supposed to treat it like a job. And I’m not supposed to treat it like it runs your life. It’s a sport. You don’t need football, you need to focus on what you do after football and what other things you can focus on other than football. It basically changed my life because I was probably more than likely going to be stuck in the same mindset.”

The starting tight end at Michigan said hearing all that hype going into the season killed him mentally, especially after dropping that first ball during the season. He said it was like a switch flipped in his brain and it was over. But now he is treating the game like it should be treated — having fun, but staying competitive.

“Just hearing all the hype about me, just killed me and I dropped that ball, I just dropped one ball,” said All. “And it was just a switch that just hit my brain like it was just over for me. Talking to Greg to flip that switch back in the right spot. I got into the game as more of like a fun, fun and competitive and I’m treating it like how it should be treated. I feel like that’s the way to succeed in this game. Going out there worrying about targets and worrying about receptions it’s going to lead you down the wrong path. And I can tell you that firsthand.”

Last season, in 2021, All bounced back in a huge way after regaining his focus. He caught 38 receptions for 437 yards and two scores. PFF had him with a significantly better 9.5% drop rate for 2021.

Now Erick All, along with Luke Schoonmaker, is listed on the Mackey Award watch list for the nation’s best tight end. Jim Harbaugh made a statement on Tuesday that he believes Michigan has the best two tight ends in the country.

“Erick All. I think, in my opinion, his biggest competition for being the best tight end in the country will be Luke Schoonmaker and I think Luke Schoonmaker’s toughest competition to be the best tight end in America will be Erick All,” Harbaugh admitted on Tuesday.

Later on, Harbaugh talked about his veteran players on the team like Cade McNamara, Ronnie Bell, Erick All, and others, about how much leadership they have shown to the younger players. How they are coaching them up and setting a tremendous example.

The last John Mackey Award winner at Michigan was Jake Butt back in 2016. He helped show what a dynamic tight end can do for an offense. Erick All has those same qualities, just like running 47-yards against Penn State — on a less than 100% ankle — for a winning touchdown.

The Michigan offense is loaded at wide receiver and tight end, but we can most certainly expect Erick All to have a tremendous season in Ann Arbor.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=61122]

Jim Harbaugh shares Michigan football’s four goals for 2022

Love how confident this team is! #GoBlue

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. —  After Michigan defeated Ohio State last season 42-27, the season seemed just about perfect. The Wolverines defeated their arch-rival in shocking fashion, and the maize and blue were headed to the Big Ten Championship to face Iowa.

But there was just one blemish on the Michigan resume. A loss against Michigan State earlier in the year.

The last time the Wolverines beat both rivals, Ohio State and Michigan State, in the same year was way back in 2003. That was 19 years ago, and the Wolverines are going to do everything they can do to make sure that drought ends this season.

During Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday, Jim Harbaugh shared what his four goals were for Michigan in 2022. He wants to beat both the Buckeyes and Spartans in the same year, and he wants to win the Big Ten Championship, and win the College Football Playoff.

“So our goals would be to beat Ohio State and Michigan State in the same year, win the Big Ten Championship, and win the National Championship,” Harbaugh shared. “Those are our four goals”

It may seem like an obvious goal to most fans, but before 2021, it just wasn’t really talked about. Michigan had more of a ‘one game at a time’ approach, but now the Wolverines are really focused on defeating their rivals year in and year out.

Cornerback DJ Turner was asked about beating both the rivals and why it was so important to the team. He shared his views and said that beating both of them would just be a cherry on top of a great season. Turner acknowledged earlier that it eats him every day the way the Wolverines lost to the Spartans.

“I mean, those are our major rivals,” said Turner at Big Ten Media Days. “And so you never want to lose any game. And then Michigan State and Ohio State like, that’s just bigger. That’s the cherry on top of not losing. So we haven’t done it and we will try to do it this year.”

Since the 2020 game was canceled due to COVID-19 within the Michigan program, the Wolverines haven’t played in Columbus since 2018. Most of the players on the Michigan team haven’t been to Columbus, and Jim Harbaugh was asked about that and if he had any advice for those players. The Michigan coach said his team won’t flinch.

“So yeah, I mean, they’re not gonna flinch if that’s what you’re asking,” said Harbaugh. “I mean, there’s nothing really got to teach them or, or show them or tell them. I know our team really well by now. They don’t blink, they don’t flinch at stuff. And you know, just keep attacking and building and that’s definitely our goal — to win the championship again, and fight like hell for Michigan to get that done.”

A big reason that Michigan beat the Buckeyes the way it did was due to the trench play. Hassan Haskins ran for five touchdowns and the Wolverines’ offensive line flat out bullied the Ohio State defensive line. Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara shared that he was even a little surprised by that. He went on to say that the offensive line was very confident last year and he doesn’t see that changing this year.

“In a sense, I was surprised to how kind of out of hand I thought it was, I thought the gap was pretty big during that game,” said McNamara on Tuesday. “And I’m sure Ohio State didn’t feel very good about that. I know that the o-line was very confident in themselves going into that game. That was our identity last season was that we’re going to be physical and I do not see that changing.”

McNamara talked about how finally defeating Ohio State gives the team more confidence and is a weight off of their shoulders. He said that the team will be confident going into Columbus, but it’s on him as a leader to make sure Michigan doesn’t get complacent. McNamara said he is focused on team 143 and what last year’s squad did doesn’t really matter now.

“I think now that we know what that looks like we’re gonna be even more confident going into that game,” said McNamara. “I think a part of being a leader, being a member of this team is to make sure that we don’t come complacent not just myself but as a team. I think we have stressed that mentality pretty strong this offseason that Team 143 is a different team. And what team 142 did last season doesn’t really matter.”

Tight end Erick All said that he expected Ohio State to be like superstars last year, and the team prepared for them that way. He believes if Michigan can view every team as a team full of superstars — and be prepared for that — the outcome will always be good for Michigan. All shared that being in Columbus doesn’t concern him because the Buckeye fans can’t play in the game.

“We went to the game expecting for them to be like NFL superstars,” said All on Tuesday. “I mean, and I feel like if you do that for any opponent, opponent, the outcome will turn out good.”

“It’s not gonna change anything,” All shared about being in the Shoe. “Fans cant come out there and play the game for them. It’s the same team.”

Team 143 appears to be confident and ready, but the theme of Big Ten Media Days was that the Wolverines have zero entitlement. Jim Harbaugh said his team keeps attacking, which is what he loves about them.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=61118]

Cade McNamara is confident and embraces the quarterback battle in Ann Arbor

Got to love his leadership here. #GoBlue

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — When it was announced that Jim Harbaugh was taking Cade McNamara to Big Ten Media Days along with Erick All, DJ Turner, and Mazi Smith it may have raised some eyebrows. But not because of the player McNamara is — he just led Michigan to the best season its had in a very long time with a Big Ten Championship along with making it to the College Football Playoff.

What raised some eyebrows is that McNamara is the first quarterback that Jim Harbaugh has brought to Big Ten Media Days since he has been with the Wolverines. So does that mean Cade McNamara is the starting quarterback at Michigan?

Yes and no.

During his press conference in Indianapolis, Jim Harbaugh said that Cade McNamara is Michigan’s starting quarterback when his team goes out for the first series during Fall camp. He noted that sophomore JJ McCarthy would get the same opportunities during Fall camp.

“Yeah, Cade is the starting quarterback,” said Harbaugh at Big Ten Media Days. “He’s gonna be lining up, first practice, he’s gonna be taking the — be with the first team. Now, eventually over the training camp J.J. will get the same opportunity, he’ll get the same opportunity that Cade will. They’re both gonna get a ton of reps. And, you know, there’ll be time to for to have that competition and determine who will be the starting quarterback for the first game.”

Earlier in the day Harbaugh said that Cade was going to be tough to beat out for the starting job, but then he countered with JJ would also be tough to beat out for the starting job.

“I mean, the best player is going to play,” said Harbaugh. “We’re going to know who the best player is by who plays the best. Cade McNamara is going to be really tough to beat out for the starting quarterback job. J.J. McCarthy is going to be really tough to beat out for the starting quarterback job.”

A quarterback battle is nothing new to McNamara. He has been in a quarterback controversy ever since he came to Michigan. In 2020, Joe Milton beat him out, but then McNamara ended up taking over before being injured against Penn State. Then in 2021, it was a battle against five-star JJ McCarthy. He isn’t going to be down about that but is choosing to continue to be a great leader and let his play do the talking.

“Yeah, I mean, I have kind of been in a competition with the exception of my redshirt freshman year, just every single year that had been in Michigan,” said McNamara. “That’s something that’s not really foreign to me at this point. So I mean, anything I do is gonna be for the sake of the team winning, and that’s what’s most important on my mind. What comes with that is having good relationships with my teammates, and for me, I take a lot of pride in what I bring to the team from a leadership standpoint. So allowing negativity or anything like that, I don’t think that’s healthy for the team or really for myself, either.”

Instead of letting what seems like never-ending quarterback battles bother him mentally, McNamara is choosing to embrace it. He believes that being in a battle will not only make him get better, but it’ll help him get better faster. The former four-star from Nevada says he cannot get complacent — a familiar tune with the entire football team — but he’s going to put the work in to be the starter for Michigan in 2022.

“Well, yeah, I think, no matter what position you’re in, I think if you become complacent you become vulnerable,” McNamara said at Big Ten Media Days. “And I think this whole entire situation has really helped me in that sense that I have zero complacency as to where, what my situation is and where I am on the depth chart. So if anything, I’m getting better faster than me just sitting in the quarterback room comfortably.”

While he may not be complacent, one thing that we can say is McNamara is very confident. He believes in his leadership and the team believes in him. The incumbent starter says that he has put himself in a good position.

“I feel like it’s my team,” said McNamara “Nothing against anyone. I just think I’ve put myself in a position that, if I say something, I will be listened to. If anything, really, I’m confident in myself.”

It sounds like a true quarterback battle in Ann Arbor, and one thing is for certain, the one that performs the best will start.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=61122]

Jim Harbaugh believes the Big Ten should help out with an NIL plan

Coach has some great ideas!

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. — The college football landscape looks completely different today compared to the past, even just a few years ago. The world of college football looks different for numerous reasons, but the main two are arguably the biggest: Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and the ever-revolving conference expansion.

During Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday in Indianapolis, Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren noted the joining of USC and UCLA in the year 2024 and the opportunities that arise with their addition to the conference. “We are blessed now, especially with the addition of the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, that we will have a footprint in the three major media markets from New York to Los Angeles to Chicago, which will allow us to be even bolder when it comes to corporate partnership and activation,” said Warren. “So I’ll look forward to building a very successful and robust business in that area.”

He talked about how the Big Ten was finalizing its media rights and an announcement would be coming sooner rather than later — there is a bunch of different networks trying to get their hands on the Big Ten media rights. Of course, when the Big Ten announces this major agreement, money will be flowing in, so the commissioner had some questions to answer about NIL. Warren said he was a big proponent of NIL for student-athletes, so talks will happen in the future.

“Name, image and likeness is another area that we’ve been talking about this last, past year”, said Warren. “I still strongly believe — I’m a big proponent of name, image and likeness. I am so grateful that many of our student-athletes have been blessed with the ability to monetize their name, image and likeness.  That said, I am disappointed that we still have to operate with these various patchwork of laws from a state-level standpoint. We need federal legislation to help put in some guardrails to make it even more cleaner, to make sure these name, image and likeness is not used as a recruiting inducement.”

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was at the first day of Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday, and he has an idea for NIL in the Big Ten. He believes that once the Big Ten signs its mega TV deal, it should administer money to the student-athletes for using their Name, Image, and Likeness. He talked about how the television companies use the players’ names, and how they show their image on the screen.

“Yeah, I mean, the Big Ten even,” said Harbaugh. “They use their name image and likeness on the TV broadcasts, they’re the ones signing the mega TV deals. The new ones coming in 2024. Why can’t that be TV deal from the Big Ten. Because that’s who’s negotiating the TV deals and that’s where the big money is.”

Harbaugh was also asked about the reported $13-million NIL deal that Ohio State has for its football players. Harbaugh sure-handily said he believes Michigan could double that, but he didn’t go into much detail on how that would happen.

“My thoughts were I think we can do more,” said Harbaugh. “I think maybe we can even double that at Michigan. I think that’s possible. And I think it’s going in a terrific direction that way. I mean, you know me, I’ve always been for NIL I believe players should have a share in the revenues. And I think that’s something that’s really possible at Michigan, so I think that’s where we’re headed.”

It should be noted that Kevin Warren said that the Big Ten is starting a student-athlete advisory committee that will speak with the current Big Ten athletes to grasp what they may need. He said that anything is on the table including talks about NIL.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=61118]

Michigan football player ratings in Madden 23

The GOAT is the No. 1 QB! #GoBlue

You know football is just about a month away when Madden — the video game — releases its player ratings.

ESPN spent a week showing and debating the overall ratings at each position that the marque video game has come up with. Of course, there is always controversy surrounding the ratings, a ton of players go to social media to make a point that their ratings should be higher.

As of now, Madden is the only NFL simulation game on the market, but the return of NCAA football is imminent and is supposed to be out in 2023. The game is hoping for a July return in 2023.

You can buy Madden 23 on August 19th on the shelves, or purchase it online.

For this article, we are going to show you every former Wolverine, what position Madden has them listed at, and their overall rating.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=60850]

How former Michigan basketball players did in Las Vegas Summer League

Hope these guys sign an NBA deal soon! #GoBlue

After competing from July 7 – 17, the Las Vegas Summer League concluded on Sunday after the Portland Trail Blazers took home the Summer League title.

There were eight former Michigan basketball stars that competed in Las Vegas and we are going to show you how each former Wolverine fared. Some did quite well, while others didn’t get too much of a chance to show what they are capable of.

A big thing happened for former five-star Caleb Houstan. After his first game with the Orlando Magic, the former Wolverine officially signed a deal with his new team. Details were not disclosed, but the deal was expected to be a two-way deal with the Magic.

Houstan wasn’t the only player to ink a deal during the Summer League. DJ Wilson signed a multi-year deal with the Toronto Raptors.

The other six former Wolverines are hoping they showed enough to get a deal with an NBA team in the near future.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=60798]

Two Michigan football pass catchers ranked in top 25

Can’t wait to see these two play in 2022. #GoBlue

After PFF ranked Blake Corum third overall — the best in the Big Ten — now Pro Football Focus has moved on to ranking the top 25 wide receivers and tight ends.

The Wolverines have a plethora of weapons for whoever takes the reign at quarterback, whether it’s Cade McNamara or JJ McCarthy, the maize and blue have the capabilities of having an elite offense for the 2022 season.

On the wide receiver end of things, Anthony Treash has Ronnie Bell ranked 19th in his top 25 rankings.

Like Demus (Maryland), Bell is also coming off a major knee injury. He missed nearly the entire 2021 season after going down in Week 1. When healthy in his four years at Michigan, the 6-foot, 192-pound receiver has been a productive after-the-catch threat, breaking 22 tackles and averaging 9.7 yards after the catch from 81 receptions.

The former three-star product out of Kansas City, and former high school basketball star, only played in the first game of the season last year after suffering a terrible knee injury, but Bell has shown that he has the ability to be a No. 1 wideout when healthy.

During the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Bell caught 74 passes for 1,159 yards (15.6 yards-per-catch). The only thing Bell hasn’t been is a touchdown threat,  he has only had five touchdowns in his four seasons in Ann Arbor. That should change this season when Bell suits back up for the maize and blue when he gains control of being a top receiver for Michigan.

When it comes to the tight end position, it has been a staple in the Michigan offense since Jim Harbaugh became head coach back in 2015. The Wolverines have had some really good playmakers at that position that can catch and block, and this upcoming season shouldn’t be any different. The maize and blue have two top tight ends at the position that will see valuable playing time: Erick All and Luke Schoonmaker.

Anthony Treash lists All as the No. 6 tight end in the country. He categorizes him as one of the biggest sleepers.

After an underwhelming first two years on campus, All is starting to finally develop into the player Michigan was expecting. The 2019 four-star recruit earned a 75.4 receiving grade last year, more than 30 grading points higher than his 2020 mark.

The 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end looks to impose his will in the running game, recording five big-time run-blocks en route to a 76.4 run-block grade this past season. The latter ranked eighth among Power Five tight ends with at least 200 such snaps.

The former four-star Ohio product had a ton of preseason hype back in 2020, and was projected as being a top pass catcher going into the Fall, but drops really haunted the tight end who could only haul in 12 total catches.

But things turned around for the physical specimen in 2021 when All reeled in 38 catches for 437 yards and two touchdowns. He is expected to become an even bigger focal point in the offense in 2022 and if everything comes together, All could be looking at a career season.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=none image=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=60524]