Is there a credibility issue with Michigan football coaching staff?
Examining the disconnect between positive public comments made by Michigan football’s top brass and underperforming season on the “Hail Yes!” podcast.
The bye week helped Michigan football heal up, but it remains short of full strength for the 2024 home finale.
The Wolverines ruled out seven players for Saturday’s game vs. Northwestern in the pregame availability report teams are required to provide the Big Ten Conference pregame. Junior All-American defensive back Will Johnson will miss a fourth game in a row as he continues to mend a foot injury.
While it is senior day in Ann Arbor, a number of highly talented juniors are also assumed to be playing in their final game at Michigan Stadium. That that includes four projected 2025 first-round selections in TE Colston Loveland, DTs Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant and Johnson.
Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound cornerback, who also missed the Minnesota game in September, has appeared in five full games and the first quarter of a 21-7 loss at Illinois, where he sustained his most recent injury.
Head coach Sherrone Moore said Monday that Johnson was “working through it” and “we’ll see what happens as we go throughout the week,” but it appears Johnson has played in his final game at the Big House. There’s a chance next week for him to suit up at Ohio State; should U-M make a bowl game, it would not be a surprise if a number of top players sit to protect their draft status and make room for younger players to get valuable reps for next season.
Johnson this season has 14 tackles, three passes deflected and two picks, both returned for touchdowns. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Johnson is not expected to suit up next week in the regular season finale at Ohio State.
The next most notable absence is wide receiver Semaj Morgan. The sophomore from West Bloomfield is second on the team in catches (23) and third in yards (134) to go with one touchdown. Morgan, who caught two balls for eight yards in U-M’s last game vs. Indiana, also missed the Minnesota game.
Wide receiver Amorion Walker, who has three catches for 34 yards, is also out, while reserve tackle Jeff Persi is listed as questionable.
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