NFL Draft prospects talk Michigan breakout candidates, including a WR who's 'going to be a dawg'
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Michigan Wolverines football has a lot to replace after losing nearly all of its starters from the 2023 squad that finished 15-0 and won the program’s 12th-ever national championship. However, there’s still a lot of talent that remains and opportunities for players to break out. At the NFL Combine, where there are a record 18 Wolverine draft hopefuls, departing Michigan players discussed the future.
“Coming into that first game and throughout the whole season, it’s going to be interesting to see who steps up and really makes a name for themselves, coming from that championship team where a lot of guys left,” wide receiver Cornelius Johnson said. “Eighteen guys are here at the combine — that’s almost a full starting unit on offense and defense. So, seeing who steps up is going to be really interesting.”
Johnson revealed some wide receivers he’ll be watching.
“A lot of the guys in the wide receiver room I’m looking forward to, some of the guys I worked with. [Junior Tyler] Morris, [sophomore Semaj] Morgan, [senior] Peyton O’Leary — those guys — and then we’ll see. The quarterbacks, running backs. Excited to see them at the pro day and catch up with those guys once I get back to campus.”
Fellow former Michigan wideout Roman Wilson had another name in mind: Sophomore Fredrick Moore. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder had just 4 catches for 32 yards in limited opportunity as a freshman, but he impressed in spring practices and fall camp, climbing the depth chart after enrolling early in January 2023.
“Definitely Fredrick Moore,” Wilson said of who’s next up. “He’s got the size, the speed, the work [ethic]. I think he’s going to be a dawg this year and next year and the year after. That’s my guy.
Added Wilson: “Semaj Morgan, all of the receivers, pretty much, they’re all very underrated.”
From a defensive backs perspective, Wilson said that Michigan junior Will Johnson, the Defensive MVP of the national championship game, is a special player.
“Since I saw him,” Wilson said of when he knew that was the case. “He came to one of our playoff practices; he was showing up to practice like every day. I was like, he’s going to be a dude. I’ve never seen a recruit dedicate his life like that to football.”
Former Michigan running back Blake Corum, meanwhile, believes there’s a lot left in the running back room, including senior Donovan Edwards in addition to studs on defense.
“There are tons of players,” Corum said. “They’re already talking about [junior defensive tackles] Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Will Johnson. Those guys, [junior linebacker] Jaishawn [Barham] that came in from Maryland.
“Donovan is going to have a breakout year. I talked to him last night, man. He’s ready; he’s prepared. [Sophomore back] Ben Hall. He’s working his tail off right now.
“And then the quarterbacks, whether it be [graduate Jack] Tuttle, [junior Alex] Orji, [senior] Davis [Warren] — you name it — they’re going to be prepared.”
Corum is looking forward to see Michigan continue to win under new head coach Sherrone Moore, who was the running back’s offensive coordinator last season.
“I’m excited to see what my boys do this year,” Corum explained. “There are going to be a lot of breakout players and guys that will be ready for the league next year. But in the meantime, I know they’re working hard with [head strength and conditioning] Coach [Justin] Tress, and I know they’re sticking together as brothers and they’re going to carry on that culture, that winning mindset of doing whatever it takes to win. That’s the culture that we built there, so I know they’re going to continue that and it’s going to be a great season.”
