2024 NFL schedule: 16 Michigan football alums could play in state this year
The Michigan Wolverines sent a healthy helping of players to the NFL over the last few offseason. Several of them will play games 45 minutes down the road in Detroit with both the Lions and visiting NFL squads.
The Detroit Lions feature four Michigan alums in offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones and kicker James Turner. Glasgow, Hutchinson and Peoples-Jones will all make the active roster, while Turner will compete for the kicking job during camp.
In addition to the home-area Lions, as many as 11 other Michigan alums
Week 1: Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions
Visiting players: RB Blake Corum, CB Josh Wallace
Corum makes his official NFL debut in the state he made himself a legend, this time as a member of the Rams. It will be a Sunday Night Football game on NBC, which is a playoff rematch from last season. Wallace signed as an undrafted free agent and will fight for a spot on the roster in training camp.
Week 2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions
Visiting players: G Ben Bredeson
In an NFC Divisional Round rematch, Bredeson is projected to start at left guard for the Bucs after signing in Tampa Bay this offseason.
Week 4: Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions
Visiting players: TE AJ Barner, EDGE Mike Morris, C Olu Oluwatimi
Head coach Mike Macdonald, the former Michigan defensive coordinator, comes back to the state with a trio of Wolverines on the roster. Each of them is expected to compete for spots on the two-deep depth chart.
Week 8: Tennessee Titans at Detroit Lions
Visiting players: EDGE Jaylen Harrell, RB Hassan Haskins
A pair of former teammates reunited in Tennessee this spring with Harrell’s selection in the seventh round by the Titans. He and Haskins currently project to the third team on the depth chart and will fight for roster spots.
Week 14: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Visiting players: EDGE Rashan Gary, CB Gemon Green
Some believed that Gary left potential on the field at Michigan as a college player, but he has developed into one of the league’s better pass rushers. He is in the second year of a four-year, $96 million extension signed last season. Green will compete for a roster spot in the preseason.
Week 18: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
Visiting players: QB J.J. McCarthy, S Josh Metellus
The Michigan quarterback and No. 10 overall selection will likely be a starter well in advance of this game and could have the chance to play a Lions team fighting for playoff seeding in the last week of the season. Metellus is also projected as the team’s starting nickel.
