In about a month, Michigan football will begin preparations in earnest for the 2024 college football season, but it’s not too early to start thinking about which new faces could make an immediate impact once they step onto the field in their first season.
The Michigan Football Association was able to enroll several players early who were able to participate not only in spring ball but also in the extended bowl preparation, as the Wolverines had two additional games and thus competed for the national championship.
There are several players who could step up in their first year. Whether it’s at skill positions, shallow positions, or even positions with a lot of depth. We look ahead to the fall of 2024 and predict five rookies who could hit the field early and make an immediate impact.
1
RB Jordan Marshall
Photo: Isaiah Hole
While the running back corps is loaded with talent and we already know the two main players who will carry the ball (Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings), we’ve seen freshman running backs burst onto the scene in Ann Arbor before when Zach Charbonnet earned the starting job in 2019. While we don’t expect the same from Mr. Football Ohio Jordan Marshall given those ahead of him, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had a role like Chris Evans did in 2016, getting plenty of play and making an early impact.
2
TE Brady Prieskorn
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Prieskorn was an early addition to a deep room and was once a near five-star tight end before falling down the recruiting rankings. Given his playing time, he won’t be playing his first game as a complete rookie, as he’s fully acclimated to the system and already looks physically like a ready-to-play tight end. Although Marlin Klein is expected to be the TE opposite Colston Loveland, there’s an opportunity for Prieskorn to break into the rotation and make a name for himself.
3
EDGE Dominic Nichols
Nichols was mentioned by Sherrone Moore at the UM Club of Flint golf outing as a player who surprised early on. Michigan has options at edge rusher behind starters Derrick Moore and Josaiah Stewart, but neither is particularly experienced in terms of game experience. Just as we’ve seen the Wolverines use younger edge rushers in their first year, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Nichols get on the field early to gain some experience.
4
Running player Cole Sullivan
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Another player Moore mentioned at the golf outing, we already saw good things from Sullivan in the spring game in April. Michigan has some depth at the linebacker position, but it’s thinning with four LBs transferring this season. That opens up the possibility that we’ll see Sullivan in games as a backup behind Jimmy Rolder (who played as a freshman) and Jaydon Hood.
5
CB Jo’Ziah Edmond
Edmond was ranked extremely low when he signed, but rose up the recruiting rankings to become one of Michigan’s top signings in 2014. Although Jyaire Hill and transfer Aamir Hall are battling for the starting spot opposite Will Johnson, since there is no sure thing at the cornerback position, Edmond has the opportunity to emulate Johnson and get playing time early.
