It’s postseason awards week in college football, even if the season of the top-ranked Michigan football team is far from finished.
This week, Zak Zinter was awarded a unanimous All-American. Additionally, other first-team All-American lists included Mike Sainristil, Blake Corum, and Will Johnson. Ten players from Michigan were selected to the league’s second and third teams, and nine more were named to the first team of the Big Ten. Additionally, the Wolverines will honor the finest of the Wolverines with hundreds of prizes during their yearly postseason awards ceremony on Sunday at Crisler Center.
We select our favorite performances from the Wolverines this autumn, before of that awards event. In addition to selecting our special teams player of the year, we also look at our choices for Michigan’s MVPs, most-improved players, transfers, freshmen, and unsung heroes on both the offensive and defensive lines.
View our award winners and find out more about the ones that topped our vote.
MVP for Offense: JJ McCarthy
Unanimously, Zak Zinter was an All-American. In touchdowns, Blake Corum topped the country. However, McCarthy has to be the straw that broke the camel’s back for Michigan’s offense this season. Despite injuries, growing pains, and other limitations, the junior quarterback led Michigan to a 9-0 start in 2023 and was ranked in the top 10 in almost every measure. In addition to being incredibly accurate on third and fourth downs (52 for 70, 703 yards, 6 touchdowns, 0 interceptions), he was also a second-best passer in the country (74.2 percent).
His stat lines against Penn State, Ohio State, and Iowa were quieter (35 for 58, 355 yards, one touchdown total), but that doesn’t affect the result of this selection. Michigan fans reading this shouldn’t focus too much on where the Wolverines would be this season without their outstanding quarterback play, as the Wolverines are 13-0 and the best team in the nation mostly because of it.
MVP on defense, Mike Sainristil
The Wolverines’ defense was perhaps the finest in the nation this autumn thanks to a number of spectacular performances. However, Sainristil produced an incredible season that was superior to all others. In addition to recording 30 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, five interceptions, two touchdown returns, six pass breakups, and two forced fumbles, the second-year defensive player and fifth-year senior both played defense. Throughout the season, the nickel cornerback made plays all over the field, forcing 10 QB pressures, forcing four run stops, and only missing two tackles in addition to not receiving any penalties. Sainristil’s adaptability helped Michigan defend the pass and run in a variety of situations, and his ability to produce plays anywhere on the field was a factor in every opponent’s strategy.
Not to mention Sainristil’s leadership, guidance, and consistency during the defense. He was an obvious pick for MVP because he served as the group’s steady hand, eyes, tongue, and heart.
Mason Graham and Michael Barrett received honorable mentions.
Roman Wilson, most improved offensive
Roman Wilson was certain he could demonstrate progress with a totally healthy fourth season, so he chose to return for his senior year. He was right, boy, was he. Out of Hawaii, the former four-star prospect caught 41 receptions out of 58 for 662 yards and 11 touchdowns. From this point last year, there have been 21 more receptions, 391 yards, and eight touchdowns. Additionally, the percentage of passes that are caught (70.7%), 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) have all increased.
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