Six key football players at Michigan announce they will return for the 2023 season

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Last week six key Michigan football the players have announced that they will return for the 2023 season.

The Wolverines are coming off one of the best seasons in program history, winning 13 games for the first time, blowing past Ohio State and earning a second straight Big Ten championship.

With Jim Harbaugh’s future plans once again uncertain, many of the team’s draft-eligible players have tough decisions to make. No one blames them for ending their college careers on a high note and moving on to the NFL.

But between the name, image and likeness dollars and the bloated draft class of players with an extra year of eligibility in 2020, there’s a lot more to these picks than just: Do I feel like I’m ready to go pro?

A few Michigan players have already declared for the draft. Linebackers Mike Morris and Mazi Smith move on, as do linebackers DJ Turner and Gemon Green and tight end Luke Schoonmaker.

But the past week has also given the Wolverines some positive news.

It started last Monday (January 9) when the All-American running back Blake Corum announced his return On the Rich Eisen Show.

The importance of Corum’s return cannot be overstated. He was a threat to win the Heisman Trophy before his injury against Illinois and finished the year with 1,463 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.

But Corum wouldn’t have been nearly as successful without Michigan’s elite offensive line, and that line got two big boosts for 2023 when guards Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter announced their returns.

Zinter was a consensus All-Big Ten First Team honoree, and Keegan was a coaches’ first-team and media second-team selection.

In addition to giving Michigan one of the strongest starting lines in the country, Zinter and Keegan also provide critical depth at the position with Trente Jones, Karsen Barnhart, Drake Nugent, Myles Hinton and LaDarius Henderson battling for spots.

Wide receiver Cornelius Johnson, the other offensive starter, will also stick around Ann Arbor for another year. While his pro opportunities may not have been as plentiful as Corum, Zinter and Keegan, this is still an offseason win for JJ McCarthy and the passing game.

Johnson becomes Michigan’s leading returning player in yards after catching 32 balls for 499 yards as a senior. He also led the team with six receiving touchdowns.

While his raw numbers weren’t overwhelming, Johnson put his stamp on the 2022 season with two long touchdowns at Ohio State Columbus. His 69-yard score ignited a stalled Michigan offense, and a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the next drive gave Michigan its first lead.

Johnson has caught 92 passes for 1,441 yards and 13 touchdowns in four seasons at Michigan.

Defensively, Michigan brings back leader Michael Barrett, who improved this season. His ability to drop back into coverage or play at the line of scrimmage makes Barrett one of the most underrated players on the roster.

Barrett’s return is especially important for the Wolverines after the departures of Green and Turner. Hell joined Mike Sainristil to give Jesse Minter a veteran duo to build around next season.

As a fifth senior in 2022, Barrett finished second on the team with 72 tackles, including 37 solo tackles and 3.5 sacks. He bailed Michigan out of a dangerous situation at Rutgers, picking off two passes and returning one for a touchdown.

Over the past four seasons, Barrett has accumulated 143 tackles, 77 solo tackles and 5.5 sacks. He is also one of the teams most versatile and valuable special teams weapons.

The Wolverines are still awaiting official decisions on a few players before Monday’s NFL draft deadline, but the 2023 team certainly has a strong returning core.

Monday announcements

On Monday morning, defensive lineman Kris Jenkins announced he will also return to Michigan for another season.

Jenkins enjoyed a breakout season in 2022 with 54 tackles, 29 solo tackles and two sacks on the inside of the defensive line.

With the departures of Morris, Smith and Eyabi Okie (transfer portal), Jenkins will have an even bigger role on next year’s line.