By Beck Silver
After outlining five proven players who can help Michigan defend the National Title this year, it’s now time to explore some breakout players who are looking to have their first big year. While Michigan has some great players coming back including Colston Loveland, Donovan Edwards, Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Will Johnson and others, if the Wolverines want to perform as well as they did last year they will need some younger, newer players to step up and play at the next level. These players have the ability to compete with elite programs, however many of them were stuck in the depth chart behind NFL-caliber players on last year’s roster.
Josh Priebe (OL) – Transfer
Josh Priebe is a transfer portal addition to the Wolverines this year from Northwestern. Priebe completed four years there and finished his senior year as a team captain. He was a member of the 2020 Big Ten West Championship team and started 29 games for the Wildcats. Additionally, during his senior season he earned Third Team All Big Ten honors. Priebe will likely spend his final year of college football eligibility on the interior offensive line for the Wolverines who look to replace several drafted players. The 6’5”, 305 lb. lineman will be relied upon to make an instant impact by continuing the standard of excellence that exists with Michigan’s line.
Jaishawn Barham (LB) – Transfer
Coming from Maryland, junior Jaishawn Barham is looking to continue the success he saw last year. In the 2023 season Barham recorded 37 tackles (three TFL, three sacks), intercepted one pass, broke up another, and had three QB hurries. Barham’s lone interception from last season was against former Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy during the conference matchup between the Wolverines and Terrapins. The 6’3” 248 lb. linebacker will be a great addition and reinforcement on the Michigan defensive line.
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Tyler Morris (WR)
Tyler Morris is a junior ready for his breakout season. Not only will Morris be contributing to the wide receiver room in Ann Arbor, but he’ll also be returning punts again this year. Last season Morris appeared in all 15 games and returned punts in nine games, having 13 catches and one touchdown. Although these numbers may not be as explosive as those from drafted receivers Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson, Morris had a heavy impact on Michigan’s 2023 National Championship. During the CFP Semifinal against Alabama, Morris caught a 38-yard touchdown to put the Wolverines ahead shortly before halftime. Michigan’s wide receiver room is one of their biggest concerns for the upcoming season, so Morris will likely be getting more targets than last year and a heavier reliance may be put on TE Colston Loveland.
Kalel Mullings (RB)
Kalel Mullings is a graduate student who will likely be the second-string running back behind Donovan Edwards. Mullings appeared in 13 of 15 games last season, carrying 36 times for 222 yards and one touchdown. Mullings is in a difficult position, as although he may be a breakout position this year, he likely will not start over Edwards. Edwards will be among the best running backs in the sport this year and will take the bulk of the carries. That being said, at Big Ten Media Days both Edwards and Sherrone Moore alluded to Mullings’ ability. Edwards even went on to say he was looking forward to seeing the contributions and touches from Mullings and the rest of the RB room in Ann Arbor. Mullings will likely be to Edwards as Edwards was to Blake Corum in the 2023 season. He is a fantastic second string for the Wolverines to have.
Alex Orji (QB)
Alex Orji is an incoming junior and a fan favorite to take over the starting quarterback position. Orji appeared in six games last season including the Rose Bowl against Alabama and the National Championship against Washington. Although there is still a very active quarterback battle going on in Ann Arbor during camp, many expect Orji to take the field on Aug. 31 against Fresno State. Orji appeared alongside Davis Warren in the spring game as a starting quarterback, however his bigger competition for the position may be seventh year player Jack Tuttle. Orji’s strength is in his legs and his scrambling ability, but he hasn’t yet proven his passing accuracy in a game setting. If Orji is named the starter he will, without question, have a breakout season. It doesn’t matter which of the potential quarterbacks is selected, the player who takes over the starting spot for the Wolverines will become a household name in college football.
Semaj Morgan (WR)
Like Tyler Morris, Semaj Morgan is a player who had an impact on last year’s season. The sophomore saw action in all 15 games as a wide reciever, but also saw 14 games on special teams. Over the 15 games, Morgan caught 22 passes for 204 yards with two touchdowns. Additionally, he had four carries for 67 yards and two touchdowns and on special teams returned 12 kicks for 186 yards and returned three punts for 101 yards. Semaj Morgan was a highly dynamic player last year and, much like Morris, will likely see a lot of touches this year given Michigan’s thin wide receiver room. Morgan will have the benefit of experience next year, given he was able to be an active part of Michigan’s College Football Playoff run last year as a true freshman.
In many ways, the media is ready to give up on the Wolverines this season citing statistics such as returning production (based on starters) and schedule difficulty. However, what many media outlets are missing is Michigan returns many elite players who happened to be stuck behind the NFL-caliber starters last season. These were players that would have started on many other rosters in the country. The above players are just six of the studs Michigan has the opportunity to develop. They aren’t all former five stars, but Michigan thrives in development not necessarily recruitment. While Michigan does have concerns going into this season, fans should be excited by the talent they have on the roster and will develop throughout fall camp and the regular season.
