These guys will undoubtedly play a part in how the season pans out for the Wolverines.
The Michigan Wolverines are set to look a whole lot different this fall than a season ago. Not only do they have a first-year full-time head coach, but they’ll also feature a new starting quarterback, running back and wide receivers, among other key positions.
But the coaching staff has been working hard this offseason to ensure a successful follow up to 2023’s national championship by acquiring star talent via the transfer portal and the high school ranks.
Today, we discuss Michigan’s five most important newcomers for the 2024 season.
5. Jordan Marshall – RB
If there is any true freshman that makes an impact in 2024, it might be Marshall. He was ranked the No. 4 running back and No. 79 overall player in the class, according to 247Sports’ composite, and has a high ceiling thanks to his vision, ability to run between the tackles, and quality speed.
Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings will carry the load this fall, but RB3 seems pretty open at this point. Benjamin Hall could be the guy right now, but it would not shock me to see Marshall get a legitimate shot.
4. Dominic Zvada – K
With James Turner now in the pros, the Wolverines turned to the portal once again at the kicker position and brought in Zvada from Arkansas State.
Zvada converted 17-of-18 field goals as a true freshman in 2022 and followed that up by making 17-of-22 attempts last year. He is 2-of-3 on career kicks of 50+ yards, and he has missed just one career extra point on 72 attempts.
Of course, he still has to earn the starting job over redshirt freshman Adam Samaha, but the Wolverines brought in Zvada following a rough outing from Samaha at the spring game. Reading the tea leaves, it appears Zvada is the favorite to be Michigan’s starting kicker.
3. Aamir Hall – CB
Will Johnson is unquestionably CB1 in Ann Arbor, but for the second year in a row, it’s unknown who will start on the other side. One contender is Hall, who played at an elite level at Albany last season.
Hall compiled 63 total tackles, five interceptions, 15 pass breakups and one forced fumble en route to FCS All-American status. At 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, he has the size and strength to compete as a boundary corner in the Big Ten. While he isn’t a burner, he has more than enough speed. When it’s all said and done, I think Hall emerges as CB2 this fall.
2. Josh Priebe – OL
Michigan has had stellar offensive lines over the years, and fans are expecting it to continue despite six offensive linemen leaving for the NFL. To help replace guys like Zak Zinter and Trevor Keegan, Michigan brought in Priebe, a former captain at Northwestern.
A veteran guard, Priebe played 36 games (29 starts) for the Wildcats over four seasons in Evanston. He started every game last fall and made the All-Big Ten third-team (coaches and media). He will very likely be Michigan’s starting left guard.
1. Jaishawn Barham – LB
It’s hard to replace guys like Junior Colson and Michael Barrett, but life should be easier for Brian Jean-Mary and company with Barham transferring over from Maryland.
Barham was a freshman All-American in 2022 by the the College Football News and was also a finalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award the same year, given to the top freshman in all of college football. He had 59 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery that season.
He followed that up with 37 tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception, one pass breakup and three quarterback hurries in 11 starts last year. Barham not only fills a big position of need, but he is a high level linebacker that makes plays all over the field.
Honorable mentions: Wesley Walker, S (Tennessee); Cole Sullivan, LB (freshman); Jaden Mangham, S (MSU); CJ Charleston, WR (Youngstown State)