In 2024, the Michigan Wolverines will play a difficult schedule. Their schedule, which includes games against teams like Ohio State, Texas, Washington, Oregon, and others, is perhaps the hardest in the nation. Fortunately, this year’s more relaxed timetable made it possible for a number of actual freshmen and other newcomers to get useful experience.
The Wolverines’ projected loss of quality on both sides of the field means that the 2024 recruits will have their baptism by fire the following year. It will be expected of many of these young players to mature rapidly and support a team that is likely to have many gaps to fill.
Let’s take a look at some incoming freshmen who could play a big role next season.
OT Andrew Sprague
After this season, Michigan’s offensive line will lose both skill and depth. The Wolverines will probably acquire one or two players through the portal, but their major goal is to keep their rotation strong. If the best offensive lineman in the class was able to play early in the next season, it would not be shocking.
Sprague weighs 295 pounds and is 6 feet 8 inches tall. Ben Herbert is anticipated to aid develop his body to the fullest extent possible once he gets to university. As a top-10 offensive lineman right now, Sprague should be ready to contribute right away for the Wolverines if he can rapidly adjust to the collegiate game’s faster tempo.
RB Jordan Marshall
One shifty running back exits, another enters. The Wolverines lose Blake Corum following this season, and while
Donovan Edwards’ strategy is not quite clear, but Michigan will get back players like Cole Cabana, Ben Hall, and Kalel Mullings. Jordan Marshall, a four-star pledge, with the skills to go in and start right away.
This year, the Wolverines had trouble at times making gaps for their backs. Since Corum could create plays on his own, he ended up receiving more carries in the final moments. Marshall and Corum both have comparable rushing styles, so if the Wolverines find themselves in a similar circumstance the next season, Marshall might be a game changer. After finishing his senior year with over 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns via the air, he was crowned the 2023 Ohio Mr. Football.
TE Brady Prieskorn
The Wolverines have been known to maximize the use of their tight ends in recent years. The coaching staff likes to develop their tight end room into both elite blockers as well as receiving threats. This has paid dividends, creating matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. Brady Prieskorn fits the bill for exactly what the Wolverines want.
Coleston Loveland will be back for a third season and if A.J. Barner returns, Prieskorn will have two incredibly talented tight ends to learn from. He put up good receiving numbers his senior season, catching 33 passes for 665 yards and eight touchdowns. He could very well be TE1 in 2025.
CB Jo’Ziah Edmond
The Wolverines regularly rotated in their freshmen in the secondary this season. With Michigan set to lose Mike Sainristil and Josh Wallace, Michigan will be looking to maintain depth in the future. There is no reason to believe the coaching staff won’t continue to rotate fresh faces in to get some experience moving forward.
It is within the realm of possibility that Jo’Ziah Edmond could get decent playing time next season. He is a big
6-foot-1 corner who, when paired with Will Johnson, might match up more effectively against downfield threats. During his senior year, he played on both sides of the ball and recorded excellent stats: five interceptions and 59 tackles.
The next season will see a significant increase in competitiveness, leaving Michigan with little time to acclimate new freshmen to the collegiate game. After this season, the Wolverines will hold onto some talent that will aid the incoming class in getting ready for a larger role as the coaching staff shapes their new squad. Prior to the exciting 2024 season, it will be worthwhile to keep a watch on the players listed above.
