Seven Michigan football freshmen have burned redshirt in 2023
Michigan Wolverines football is 13 games in, heading into the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl against Alabama and has used contributions from all over to get there. That includes its nine transfer newcomers that combined to start 43 games and some freshmen.
Of the 25-man class, the Wolverines have had seven freshmen burn their redshirts by playing in more than four contests. Sixteen Michigan freshmen have seen game action, while nine haven’t yet competed on Saturdays. Only one — wideout Semaj Morgan — has played in all 13 outings.
Morgan has had a standout freshman season, carving out a role for himself on offense. He’s rushed 3 times for 61 yards and 2 scores and caught 17 passes for 183 yards and a pair of touchdowns. In his first game as a punt returner, Morgan took one back 87 yards inside the Iowa 10-yard line, setting up a touchdown in the Big Ten championship game.
Fredrick Moore (12 games) and Karmello English (six), both wide receivers, are the only other freshmen on offense to burn their redshirts.
The Michigan defense, meanwhile, has four players that burned their redshirts, led by defensive tackle Trey Pierce (12 games) and defensive lineman / edge rusher Cameron Brandt (11).
Cornerback DJ Waller Jr. has been closest defender to being in the rotation, though, and is one of three Michigan freshmen with 100-plus total snaps (123) this season, joining Morgan (128) and Moore (106). Waller has registered 11 tackles and a pass breakup that was a near-interception against Michigan State.
Cornerback Jyaire Hill is sitting at four games played, but per NCAA rules, he can play in the postseason and still retain his redshirt.
Here’s a look at game and offensive / defensive snap counts for Michigan freshmen who have played on Saturdays this fall.
| Player | Games | Offense / Defense Snaps |
| Semaj Morgan | 13 | 128 |
| Fredrick Moore | 12 | 106 |
| Trey Pierce | 12 | 58 |
| Cameron Brandt | 11 | 60 |
| DJ Waller Jr. | 10 | 123 |
| Brandyn Hillman | 9 | 40 |
| Karmello English | 6 | 66 |
| Jyaire Hill | 4 | 56 |
| Enow Etta | 3 | 11 |
| Benjamin Hall | 3 | 31 |
| Cameron Calhoun | 2 | 15 |
| Zack Marshall | 2 | 6 |
| Cole Cabana | 1 | 2 |
| Aymeric Koumba | 1 | 1 |
| Amir Herring | 1 | 1 |
| Adam Samaha | 1 | 1 |
