PFF names Michigan football defender as shooting star for 2024

Michigan’s defense will look a lot different in 2024, but the quality of the defense shouldn’t change much. The Wolverines may have lost guys like Kris Jenkins, Junior Colson, Michael Barrett, Josh Wallace and Mike Sainristil. But Michigan gets back stars like Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Ernest Hausmann, Will Johnson, Makari Paige and Rod Moore — if he can return.

We know who the defensive linemen are, but who could be the next star in the making? Earlier this summer, Pro Football Focus published an article revealing who they thought the new shooting stars of 2024 could be, and a Michigan defensive lineman was on the list.

Ja’Den McBurrows was the primary replacement for Mike Sainristil in the slot last year, and after what he accomplished in his limited time in 2023, PFF believes he is in for a big year in 2024.

Michigan’s roster will look very different in 2024, but that doesn’t mean it will be any less talented. After all, there are many promising new additions, especially at the defensive back position.

McBurrows is one of those guys who is ready to step up and shine. Last season, he played 182 snaps and finished with a 73.1 overall grade and a 73.9 coverage grade.

In 2023, McBurrows recorded seven solo tackles with no misses and four run stops. He was targeted 13 times in coverage this year, but allowed just five catches for 40 yards and had one interception and two pass breakups.

– PFF

Even after Michigan acquired four secondary players through the transfer portal, it still feels like it’s a battle between McBurrows and Zeke Berry for the Wolverines’ starting spot. It seems like many fans are putting Berry at the position because of his potential. But as mentioned, McBurrows was Sainristil’s backup last season and he played well when he had the chance.

Personally, I have McBurrows in a starting lineup for 2024. Last year, he was fourth on the Michigan defense with a coverage grade of 73.9 – behind Sainristil, Josh Wallace and Will Johnson.

McBurrows, part of the class of 2021, came to Michigan as a three-star prospect but had the offers of a high-end four-star player. McBurrows had offers from elite programs like Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State and Tennessee, to name a few.

He only played in four games in his first season, but injuries have affected McBurrows’ career so far. He didn’t play a single game in his second season, but he was able to play in 11 contests in 2023. It definitely feels like McBurrows’ time has come to shine for the maize and blue in 2024.

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