Looking Forward to 2024.

[buttaball]

These are all guesses, so I won't speak in absolutes like some other folks, who seem to know a ton about the decisions individual players and recruits will make without ever talking to them, so BY NO MEANS do I know for sure what the players may or may not do, but here's what a project.

• J.J. Returns. The low stats/great efficiency season he has had up to this point will not get him drafted to his highest potential. He would probably drop to a 3rd or 4th round pick at this point, unless he goes nuts in the B1G Championship and playoffs. in addition, the 2023 QB Draft class is absolutely packed with prospects. 2024? Not so much. In addition Blake and possibly Edwards (I'll get to this) being gone will initiate more focus on passing- His boy from HS, Tyler Morris will remain, as will Semaj, Coslton, and other targets.
• If I'm right on J.J. returning, then I think that Michigan moves ahead with the Utah QB transfer as a backup to compete with Davis, Orji, etc.
• If I'm wrong on J.J., look for a much higher profile grad transfer QB to be pursued. Don't laugh, but if J.J. leaves, I'd kick the tires on Taulia Tag considering a grad season. With better coaching and surrounding cast , Tags could be next season's Penix.
• Edwards returns. Where would he go after a poor season running the ball? He MAY even transfer. Marshall will come in a demand carries as a true freshman.
• Mullings will return to play the Haskins role. Benji Hall will have an increased role.
• Our DL will be filthy- Bringing back Graham, Grant, Benny, Derrick Moore, and probably Josiah Stewart is huge.
• Our secondary will remain experienced. Manning the perimeter with be the 6'2" stud Will J, Sabb can play the Sainristil role, Rod Moore has another season, and players like Berry, McBurrows, Waller, and Amorion Walker return with more experience and seasoning.
• LB position will be rebuilt a bit if Colson goes pro after his junior season, with Hausmann as the only experienced starter. Rolder, Hood, and maybe a transfer, young player, or recruit comes in and creates depth.
• Loveland is Michigan's version of Brock Bowers, and put up Bower's type (or jake Butt type) numbers in the receiving game.
• WRs? Morris, Morgan, Fred Moore, and Karmello (still holding out home for Clemons)- Roman has a 5th season, will he take it? If not, I'll be looking for a veteran transfer in.
• Revamped OL will still be very experienced- I'd bet that Jones and Barnhart return for their 5th seasons, a la Zinter and Keegan this year. Very early thoughts have me penciling in a line that R to L looks like this: Hinton, El Hadi, Crippen, Barnhart and Jones, with gentry as the 6th OL, and Persi and Anderson as backups.

All in all I see another B1G contender, with their "weakness" being the revamped OL and possibly LB unit.
Thee key of course is J.J., but other upperclassmen such as Roman, Trente Jones, Colson, Stewart, and Karsen Barnhart returning would be huge.