Michigan football’s transition from Team 144 to Team 145 might not be as bad as some think

Fresh off the National Championship, Team 145 looks to continue a legacy established by last year’s Michigan team. Despite losing so much, the transition might not be as tough as some think:

Over the last several seasons, I’ve uttered the words, “I never want Jim Harbaugh to leave Michigan.” many times. I’m not lying when I tell you I even said that during the 2020 season. “Who else are you going to get?” I’d ask.

That’s why when the Los Angeles Chargers announced Harbaugh was their next head coach, nearly everyone at my day job came over to say, “Hey, sorry about Harbaugh.” Who is going to call Michigan, “America’s Team,” talk about chickens, or tell us that “bet” actually means “Bringing Everyone Together,” as if his players invented the word?

It wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be.

Jim Harbaugh did what good leaders do: identify guys who can keep the program running

Sherrone Moore is the perfect fit after Harbaugh’s crazy suspensions in 2023. I doubted the move ahead of the Penn State game, thinking maybe Jesse Minter or Jay Harbaugh may have given us a better shot at winning. Well, I was wrong. Moore’s passionate speech after that game shows us how much he cares about Harbaugh, his players, and winning.

Harbaugh gave us the answer to my question, “Who else is there?” He introduced us to the next Michigan Man.

Moore is coming off a 4-0 run as the acting head coach last season, with big wins against No. 9 Penn State and No. 2 Ohio State . He’s winning over fans again since the Wolverines announced Harbaugh would be back in Ann Arbor for their game against Fresno State as the team’s honorary captain , just after the NCAA hit Harbaugh with a four-year show cause. Additionally, Moore brought on a coaching staff that includes Wink Martindale, the creator of the defensive scheme we have grown to love, and a guy who tweets “Buckle up!” when we’re on commitment watch.

Losing Harbaugh sucks, but the transition to the new coaching staff is better than I would’ve thought possible.

Michigan’s next QB might not be a first-round draft pick, but he’ll do what he can to make the team successful

I expected J.J. McCarthy to declare for the NFL Draft , but deep down hoped he’d pull a Blake Corum and come back for another season. That didn’t happen, but Michigan’s next man up at the position won’t make it all about him.

The team doesn’t need any of the guys competing for the starting job to go out and be McCarthy. They’ll need a guy who can complete passes and help move the ball downfield when the run game stalls.

What stands out in their offseason interviews is Alex Orji, Davis Warren and Jack Tuttle support one another and want what is best for the team more than anything. That will help keep the culture intact.

Last year, the team used Orji in some of its biggest games, compiling 15 rushing attempts for 86 yards and one touchdown. He’ll be a crucial piece of this year’s offense, even if he doesn’t win the starting job.

Tuttle looked good when he was on the field. He only played 55 snaps, but his 15 attempts, 130 yards and one touchdown helped him earn a 76.0 from Pro Football Focus. Tuttle did what he needed to do most — protect the ball.

Warren wasn’t on the field much last year either, and his stats don’t look great. However, he performed well in the spring game and could make the jump this season. He hit two receivers for 42-yard and 48-yard touchdowns, and it seems like that success in his pass game is carrying him into the fall.

Michigan kept consistency on the OL through its coaching staff

Michigan lost six linemen to the NFL, but Moore is keeping things going at the position by promoting Grant Newsome to offensive line coach. On top of that, experiences players like Myles Hinton (72.4 PFF grade last year – highest tackle at U-M) will play a ton more in 2024.

Other guys competing for a starting job have experience as well. Jeffrey Persi only played in eight games last season, but had a 78.5 PFF grade for pass blocking and a 63.3 grade overall. Meanwhile, Giovanni El-Hadi (guard) and Greg Crippen (center) have patiently waited their turn and have been in Ann Arbor for four years now. As seniors, it appears their time is now.

This year’s offensive line will still have the same toughness we saw over the last few seasons. See Josh Priebe’s lip photo below — it’s reminiscent of Blake Corum’s battered nose following the Penn State win.

Michigan’s skill players will step up when needed

Michigan lost its top receivers Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson and lead rusher Blake Corum. Luckily, the Wolverines still have Colston Loveland, who looks like on of the best — if not the best — tight ends in all of college football and a potential first-round pick next spring.

Semaj Morgan had an 82.8 PFF grade last season, and WR Tyler Morris, had 13 catches for 197 yards, and one touchdown. These are two players who’ve shown they won’t just catch the ball — they’ll do everything they can to make a play after the catch.

Don’t forget Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings will continue Michigan’s dominant run game. Edwards may not have had the season stats he wanted, but showed up big time in the National Championship with two long touchdowns. Mullings had an 82.0 PFF grade, 36 carries for 222 yards, and one touchdown, averaging just over 6.2 yards per carry.

Michigan’s defense is returning some key pieces

Michigan lost a lot of guys to the NFL, but there’s a reason the 2024 defense is still expected to be one of the best in the country. Defensive tackle Mason Graham registered 35 tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble as a sophomore, and he did it well enough to get a 90.0 PFF grade. Kenneth Grant had an 80.4 PFF grade at the end of 2023.

Of course, cornerback Will Johnson returns and is a potential top-10 pick in the draft after this year. But then there are guys who played a lot last season — Josaiah Stewart, Derrick Moore, Quinten Johnson and Makari Paige played at least 300 snaps in 2023. They may not have started in games, but they have significant snaps on some of the biggest stages.

Add in Jaishawn Barham, who Michigan picked up in the transfer portal, and this defense will be tough to score on.

You listen to any of these guys in interviews and it is almost as if nothing’s changed. Maybe it’s the weather shifting or that we’re finally in August, but I thought transitioning from Team 144 to 145 would be more difficult. Now, I’m not so sure. We’ll obviously have to see how it all plays out on the field, and that’s the ultimate good news — football is almost back. Cheers to Team 145, and let’s go blue.