I think this is a good move by Michigan's athletic department if viewed as an inoculation to protect next season where they play Texas in addition to the Big Ten games.
won't matter. that schedule is brutal and 2024 is going to be a full-on rebuilding year.
Losing....
Kris Jenkins, DT - going to be a 1st rd pick if he has the kind of year he's capable of...dude is a mutant.
Blake Corum, RB - going to be an NFL draft pick, 2nd best RB they've had at Michigan in oh..decade plus...behind only.....
Donovan Edwards, RB (he's already said he's going pro after this year) - could be the first RB taken in the 2024 NFL draft
Mike Sainistril, NCB - dude is a team captain and
hell of a player at the nickel...those high level slot corners are
tough to find man....they got LUCKY he switched over from WR and was so freaking good- dude is a unicorn- that legit just shouldn't happen...he's got a legit NFL future and will get drafted.
OG Zak Zinter - might be the first guard picked in the 2024 NFL draft
OG Trevor Keegan - surefire NFL draft pick at guard in 2024 NFL draft
OL LaDarius Henderson, OL Drake Nugent, OL Karsen Barnhart, and OL Trente Jones - all graduate - whether any of them are NFL draft picks- we'll see- I think a couple of them might be- but add those four into Zinter + Keegan- so thats basically all of your 2023 starters and 60% of the two deep and tons of starting experience- gone.
Michael Barrett, LB - graduating- really solid college player and B1G starting caliber LB- but likely not an NFL draft pick imo.
Guys who could skip their senior seasons and go pro with big seasons:
JJ McCarthy, QB - has every NFL tool
Junior Colson, LB - ditto
Rod Moore, S - could go pro and has a shot at being a 1st or 2nd rd pick with a level up season- kid is legit the best safety they've had in like OH forever...
Makari Paige, S - ditto
EDGE Braiden McGregor
EDGE Jaylen Harrell
EDGE Josiah Stewart