It’s hard to believe that we’re already two full seasons and an entire coaching staff removed from Michigan’s National Championship season in 2023. For most Michigan fans, the entirety of the 2023 season is etched in their memories forever. However, life moves on for the players as their football careers didn’t end at the conclusion of the National Championship game in Houston.
The starters on the 2023 team have had varying levels of success following the magical run. Some are bona fide NFL starters,
while others are clinging to practice squad spots. A few are even still in college. Let’s bucket out the 2023 players by where their football careers have taken them in the time since January of 2024.
NFL Starters
- TE Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
- TE A.J. Barner, Seattle Seahawks
- FB Max Bredeson, Minnesota Vikings
- DE Derrick Moore, Detroit Lions
- DT Mason Graham, Cleveland Browns
- CB Mike Sainristil, Washington Commanders
- CB Will Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
Barner is arguably the biggest success on this list. The Indiana transfer just won the Super Bowl with the Seahawks and scored a touchdown in the big game as the cherry on top. Loveland, Graham, and Johnson all just completed excellent rookie seasons and are in line to start next season with their respective franchises. Sainristil is also a budding star for the Washington defense with a bright future ahead of him.
Bredeson and Moore might be a reach in this category, as they were just drafted this season. However, they do both project to start immediately, as Detroit needs an edge rusher opposite former Wolverine Aidan Hutchinson and Minnesota doesn’t have any other fullbacks on the roster.
NFL Backups/Rotation Players
- QB J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
- RB Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
- WR Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
- OG Trevor Keegan, Dallas Cowboys
- OG Zak Zinter, Cleveland Browns
- DE Braiden McGregor, New York Jets
- DT Kris Jenkins, Cincinnati Bengals
- DT Kenneth Grant, Miami Dolphins
- DE Jaylen Harrell, Tennessee Titans
- DE Josaiah Stewart, Los Angeles Rams
- LB Junior Colson, Los Angeles Chargers
- CB Josh Wallace, Los Angeles Rams
- S Makari Paige, Pittsburgh Steelers
- P Tommy Doman, Buffalo Bills
McCarthy is the big name in this list as he was drafted in the top 10 by the Vikings, but has struggled in his first two years in the NFL. Injuries have played a big part in his struggles, but Minnesota may or may not be willing to wait for things to click for McCarthy, as they brought in Kyler Murray to start over him.
Corum has had an excellent career thus far, but is blocked by Kyren Williams for snaps. He would likely have a larger role on most other teams, but is still a part of an excellent one-two punch. Several other players on this list have struggled with injuries, including Wilson, Keegan, and Colson.
McGregor and Wallace are two of the biggest surprises as neither was expected to contribute at the NFL level. However, both have played meaningful snaps and have carved out decent roles for themselves.
NFL Practice Squad
- RB Donovan Edwards, Miami Dolphins
- WR Cornelius Johnson, Baltimore Ravens
- OT LaDarius Henderson, Indianapolis Colts
- C Drake Nugent, San Francisco 49ers
- OL Karsen Barnhart, Green Bay Packers
Edwards was a lightning-rod for the 2023 Wolverines, breaking off long run after long run. He’ll always be remembered for his two breakaway runs in the National Championship. However, his NFL journey has not been glamorous as he’s bounced around between three teams’ practice squads and doesn’t have a carry in his NFL career. Similarly, Cornelius Johnson hasn’t been able to crack an NFL roster and record a stat. He’ll reunite with former Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter in Baltimore this offseason.
Still in College
- WR Tyler Morris, Indiana
- S Rod Moore, Michigan
- S Keon Sabb, Alabama
The saga and lore of Rod Moore is well known in Ann Arbor. The veteran safety was a true junior during the 2023 season. He tore his ACL prior to the 2024 season and has medically redshirted the last two seasons. Moore returns to Michigan for one last ride this Fall, though whether he will physically be able to contribute is yet to be seen.
Sabb transferred out of Michigan immediately following the National Title. With Rod Moore and Makari Paige both announcing returns, Keon went looking for more playing time and found it in Tuscaloosa with new head coach Kalen DeBoer. In 2026 he will be a redshirt senior for the Crimson Tide and will be fortunate enough to play with one of his younger brothers, Amari.
Tyler Morris returned to Michigan for one more season in 2024 before transferring to Indiana. Sadly, he missed IU’s entire National Championship season with a non-contact knee injury in the offseason. Morris is set to return to the Hoosiers in 2026 for his final season of college football.
Other
- OT Trente Jones, out of football
- LB Michael Barrett, UFL (St. Louis Battlehawks)
- LB Ernest Hausmann, Tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs
- K James Turner, Unknown
Jones signed as a UDFA with the Green Bay Packers in 2024. However, he was injured before the season started, causing him to opt for a medical retirement. Barrett bounced around between various NFL practice squads before opting to play in the UFL for St. Louis.
Hausmann stepped away from the Michigan football team late in the 2025 season to prioritize his mental health. He returned to the program following the season in order to perform draft prep. Ernest went undrafted and has yet to sign anywhere. He was invited to a rookie tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs.
