Though the No. 1 Michigan football team’s season is far from over, it’s postseason honors week in college football.
Zak Zinter was named a unanimous All-American this week, while Mike Sainristil, Blake Corum and Will Johnson landed on a handful of first-team All-American lists. Nine Michigan players were named first-team All-Big Ten, while another 10 were named to the league’s second and third teams. And on Sunday, the Wolverines will conduct their annual postseason awards show at Crisler Center, where they will hand out dozens of awards highlighting the best of the Wolverines.
Ahead of that awards show, we make our picks for some award-winning performances from the Wolverines this fall. Below, we look at our picks for Michigan’s MVPs, most-improved players, transfer of the years, freshman of the years and unsung heroes on both offense and defense, and make our pick for special teams player of the year.
Zak Zinter was a unanimous All-American. Blake Corum led the nation in touchdowns. But when it comes to the straw that stirred the drink of Michigan’s offense this season, it has to be McCarthy. The junior was a top-10 quarterback by pretty much every metric in 2023, and helped Michigan coast to a 9-0 start as it underwent injuries, growing pains and shortcomings elsewhere. He was accurate as a passer (74.2 percent, second nationally) and was absolutely money third and fourth downs (52 for 70, 703 yards, 6 touchdowns, 0 interceptions).
His stat lines were quieter in Michigan’s three ranked matchups (35 for 58, 355 yards, one touchdown combined against Penn State, Ohio State and Iowa), but that doesn’t change the outcome in this choice. The Wolverines are 13-0 and the No. 1 team in the country in large part due to their excellent quarterback play, and Michigan fans reading this don’t want to think too hard on where the Wolverines would be this season without him.
The Wolverines had many defensive standouts this fall, making it arguably the best defense in the country. But Sainristil put together a marvelous season, one that stood a head above the rest. The fifth-year senior and second-year defensive player recorded 30 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, five interceptions, two touchdown returns, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles. The nickel cornerback made plays all over the field, generating 10 quarterback pressures, four run stops and committing just two missed tackles and zero penalties all season. Sainristil’s versatility allowed Michigan to defend the run and pass in multiple scenarios, and his ability to make plays all over the field factored into every opponent’s game plan.
And that’s to say nothing of the leadership, mentorship and consistency Sainristil brought to the defense. He was the unit’s heart, eyes, mouth and steady hand, making him an easy choice for MVP.
(Honorable mentions: Michael Barrett, Mason Graham)
Roman Wilson opted to come back for his senior season, adamant that he could show growth with a fully healthy fourth season. And boy, was he right. The former four-star recruit out of Hawaii caught 41 of 58 passes for 662 yards and 11 touchdowns. That’s an increase of 21 receptions, 391 yards and eight touchdowns from this point last year, as well as an increase in reception rate (70.7 percent), yards per target (11.4), yards per route run (2.68), average depth of target (14.8 yards), drop rate (2.4 percent) and passer rating when targeted (225.7).
He jumped from 98th among power-five wide receivers in PFF’s receiver grade last season to 14th this season, and it’s fair to wonder just how balanced Michigan’s offense is able to be this season without his breakout season.
(Honorable mentions: JJ McCarthy, Trente Jones)
In our eyes, this is a three-man race between Kenneth Grant, Keon Sabb and Rayshaun Benny, but Grant jumps out the most to us. The tackle recorded 26 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception, four pass breakups, 18 quarterback pressures and 13 run stops. This comes after totaling eight tackles, two pressures and two run stops as a true freshman last fall.
Grant’s ascent isn’t surprising to anyone inside Michigan’s program — his combination of size and speed has enamored teammates and coaches since he arrived on campus last year. And even in a crowded position room, Grant parlayed that talent into production in a major way this fall.
(Honorable mentions: Rayshaun Benny, Keon Sabb)
Three of Michigan’s primary offensive starters were transfers (Nugent, LaDarius Henderson, AJ Barner) and another who started several games and was in the mix all year (Myles Hinton). But when it comes to who was best, it’s hard not to go with Nugent. The center was named first-team All-Big Ten and one of three Rimington Award finalists. He ranked 16th of 79 Power-Five centers in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency, didn’t allow a sack all season, was 13th in run-blocking grade and eighth in the site’s overall grade.
Barner has a compelling case, as one of the nation’s best run-blockers and a solid secondary receiving threat at the position behind Colston Loveland. But Nugent came in with big shoes to fill, and did it admirably, taking home this award.
(Honorable mentions: AJ Barner, LaDarius Henderson)
Remember when No. 2 cornerback was Michigan’s biggest concern? Josh Wallace put those worries to bed with a strong 2023 season. The UMass transfer recorded 26 tackles, two tackles for loss, four pass breakups and a forced fumble. In coverage, he allowed 17 receptions and 168 yards on 34 targets, with only 47 yards after the catch. He allowed just one completion longer than 21 yards, missed just two tackles and committed one penalty all season. He was 32nd of 154 Power-Five cornerbacks in passer rating allowed, per PFF, and was 16th in the site’s coverage grade.
Josaiah Stewart (26 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two pass breakups) made a compelling case in a season where he seemed to get better each week. But out vote is for Wallace, who solidified Michigan’s biggest uncertainty this fall.
Three of Michigan’s primary offensive starters were transfers (Nugent, LaDarius Henderson, AJ Barner) and another who started several games and was in the mix all year (Myles Hinton). But when it comes to who was best, it’s hard not to go with Nugent. The center was named first-team All-Big Ten and one of three Rimington Award finalists. He ranked 16th of 79 Power-Five centers in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency, didn’t allow a sack all season, was 13th in run-blocking grade and eighth in the site’s overall grade.
Barner has a compelling case, as one of the nation’s best run-blockers and a solid secondary receiving threat at the position behind Colston Loveland. But Nugent came in with big shoes to fill, and did it admirably, taking home this award.
(Honorable mentions: AJ Barner, LaDarius Henderson)
