Throughout the year, several Wolverines were acknowledged for their achievements.
Michigan will play at least one more game in the 2023 season, a College Football Playoff semifinal versus Alabama in the Rose Bowl on January 1. However, at the team’s annual football banquet on Sunday night, the focus changed to reflecting on the season’s triumphs thus far.
The program’s prize winners were announced on social media. The winners are listed below.
Players of the Scout Team of the Year
According to the team’s website, the scout team player of the year award is given to the football player who demonstrates exceptional commitment and effort to making his teammates better as a member of the scout squad. This might bode well for reserve inside offensive lineman Raheem Anderson, who has patiently waited his opportunity to start, and true freshman linebacker Hayden Moore.
Youngest Player of the Year
There are no surprises here! Normally, this award is given to both an offensive and defensive player, but Semaj Morgan was an explosive blip of what was to come for the Wolverines on a 2023 squad loaded with seasoned depth.
Players Who Have Made the Most Progress
Kenneth Grant, Max Bredeson, and Tommy Doman all contributed significantly to Team 144’s success. Following a rough start as a freshman, Grant developed as one of the team’s most prolific playmakers on defense, while Max Bredeson was frequently deployed as a run-blocking fullback who paved the way for Blake Corum and his 22 rushing touchdowns. Doman took over excellently for Brad Robbins and has been a weapon on special teams, helping to flip the field on numerous occasions.
Exemplifying Success in the Classroom
With Zak Zinter and Kris Jenkins anchoring the Wolverines’ offensive and defensive lines, it’s only natural that they’re equally impressive in the REAL trenches: education!
Top LB and DL
Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant had one of the most spectacular seasons you can imagine for two sophomore interior defensive linemen, going from “gifts from the football gods” to the Wolverines’ 2023 shared winners of the team’s top defensive lineman award.
Barrett has been an important part of Michigan’s top-ranked defense. He now ranks second on the team in total tackles with 52 and first in forced fumbles with three.
Top OL
This comes as no surprise after Zinter was named unanimous first-team All-American last week. Zinter is the first offensive lineman from Michigan to earn unanimous All-American honors since tackle Jake Long in 2007.
Toughest Player of the Year, Blue Collar Award
Corum is no stranger to the term “blue collar,” so it’s only natural that he wins the prize of the same name for the second year in a row. He was also voted the Wolverines’ hardest player in 2022, a title that went to Colson this season, who led the team in tackles with 79 while suffering a hand ailment for much of the season.
Special Forces Specialist of the Year, Player of the Year
James Turner was just what Team 144 required. Turner, who took over for Michigan veteran Jake Moody, shot 16-for-18 on field goals, including four in the Big Ten Championship versus Iowa, and only missed one extra point.
Caden Kolesar, unsurprisingly, has responded nicely as a leader of the punt/kick return groups after missing much of last year due to a serious injury.
Offensive Player and Offensive Skill Player of the Year
Corum deserves to be named Offensive Player of the Year after accounting for 43 percent of Michigan’s offensive touchdowns in 2023.
Aside from Corum, the offense has relied heavily on the efforts of Roman Wilson and Colston Loveland, who have combined for 15 of the team’s 21 receiving touchdowns. They are both deserving of the Offensive Skill Player of the Year honor.
MVP
J.J. McCarthy, according to Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, “has shown to be on the path to being the best quarterback in Michigan history.” McCarthy bolstered his argument on Sunday night when he was named the program’s 2023 MVP.
Defensive Player(s) and Defensive Skill Player(s) of the Year
Mike Sainristil is outstanding. The 2023 Big Ten Championship MVP was named Defensive Skill Player of the Year after leading the team with five interceptions, six passes defended, and 151 interception return yards.
Sainristil also shared Defensive Player of the Year honors with teammates defensive anchors Colson and Jenkins.
