Zak Zinter named unanimous first-team All-American, five Michigan players earn accolades
Michigan Wolverines football senior right guard Zak Zinter is a unanimous All-American, named a first-teamer by all five major designators, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Associated Press, Sporting News and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
Zinter is Michigan’s first unanimous first-team All-American on the offensive line since left tackle Jake Long in 2007. Those two are the only Wolverine offensive linemen to accomplish the feat since Steve Hutchinson, a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, in 2000.
The North Andover, Mass., product is Michigan’s 26th-ever unanimous All-American and the fourth in the head coach Jim Harbaugh era, joining senior running back Blake Corum (2022), Aidan Hutchinson (2021) and Jabrill Peppers (2016).
The Wolverines have had unanimous All-Americans in three-straight seasons for the first time since a four-year stretch from 1988-91 — defensive lineman Mark Messner (1988), defensive back Tripp Welbourne (1989-90) and wide receiver Desmond Howard (1991).
Zinter’s 76.6 overall PFF grade ranks 16th in the country among guard with at least 330 offensive snaps. He checks in tied for 18th (75.8) in run blocking and 94th in pass protection (73.8).
The 6-6, 322-pounder appeared in 45 games with 42 starts during his four years at Michigan, helping the Wolverines win the coveted Joe Moore Award for the nation’s top offensive line in both 2021 and 2022. The Maize and Blue were named semifinalists for the honor this season, but were not among the group of four finalists.
Zinter broke his leg during the third quarter of Michigan’s 30-24 win over Ohio State Nov. 25. He will miss the remainder of the season but was at midfield for the coin toss and accepted the championship trophy on behalf of the 13-0 Wolverines at the Big Ten title game one week after going down.
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All told, five Michigan players earned All-America accolades, including Corum and graduate defensive back Mike Sainristil, both of whom scored first-team honors by one elector.
Corum finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting, his second consecutive year in the top 10 (No. 7 in 2022). Last season, Corum became Michigan’s first running back to be named a unanimous All-American for the first time since Bob Chappuis in 1947.
Sainristil led the Wolverines with 5 interceptions. He was tabbed as a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and second-team choice by the coaches.
Two Michigan defensive tackles also checked in as All-Americans — senior Kris Jenkins and sophomore Mason Graham. Jenkins picked up two second-team accolades and one third-team honor, while Graham was listed as a second-teamer by Sporting News.
Here’s a look at Michigan’s All-Americans:
OL Zak Zinter: First team (Walter Camp, FWAA, AP, Sporting News, AFCA)
RB Blake Corum: First team (AFCA), second team (Walter Camp, FWAA), third team (AP)
DL Kris Jenkins: Second team (FWAA, AFCA), third team (AP)
DB Mike Sainristil: First team (Sporting News)
DL Mason Graham: Second team (Sporting News)
