The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1298950
NOVEMBER 2020 THE WOLVERINE 21 2. Kwity Paye, Sr., DE No. 4 on the August list, the other half of Michigan's "Salt & Pepper" defensive end combination with Hutchinson has become a leader and future early round NFL Draft pick. He was a second-team All-Big Ten selection (by the coaches) last year after leading the team with 12.5 tackles for loss, finishing second in sacks (6.5) and notching 50 overall tackles. The 6-4, 272-pounder came off the board at No. 16 in Pro Football Fo- cus' 2021 NFL mock draft released Oct. 1. PFF analyst Mike Renner even dubbed him the No. 1 college player that "needed football this fall," and noted "he could be a top-10 pick." 3. Cameron McGrone, R-So., LB McGrone was third on this list in August and remains there. He made the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award (nation's top linebacker) this fall after finishing fifth on the team in tackles (66) and fourth in tackles for loss (9.5) last year. He also notched four sacks, five quarterback hurries, one pass breakup and a forced fumble while replacing an injured Josh Ross in the lineup. "I feel like we have the best combi- nation of speed and physicality [in the country]," McGrone said of the line- backing corps … and it starts with him. He's hinted this could be his last sea- son in a Michigan uniform. 4.. Ronnie Bell, Jr., WR Bell, No. 9 on the previous top 25 list, has been thrust into the No. 1 receiver position by himself with Collins' deci- sion to opt out. In truth, he might have ended up there anyway. Bell notched 48 receptions for 758 yards last year, both team bests, and caught one touchdown pass, an area he'll look to improve upon this fall. He was the most dependable receiver when it came to breaking open on his routes, and he was the Wolverines' best blocker at the position. Though he dropped some balls last year, including a game-tying touch- down at Penn State, there's a reason head coach Jim Harbaugh said he'd take 100 players just like Bell if he could get them. 5. Jalen Mayfield, R-So., OT Mayfield, the lone returning starter on the line, initially opted out shortly after the Big Ten announced the post- ponement of the season. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had listed him No. 14 on his first big board of the top prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft in May, and Mayfield was preparing to head to California to train before changing his mind and opting to re- turn. The NCAA granted his request to rejoin his team in late September. "It was great to see him make the decision to come back," redshirt junior right guard Andrew Stueber said. "I can't wait to play next to him." Mayfield was No. 12 on the August list. 6. Zach Charbonnet, So., RB Charbonnet (previously ranked No. 7) wasn't completely healthy last year coming off knee surgery, but he still made his mark as a true freshman. He finished with 726 yards and 11 touchdowns on 149 carries as a fresh- man, seeing action in all 13 games, and is now healthy and in the best shape of his life, according to offensive coordi- nator Josh Gattis. The Wolverines have a number of options in the backfield, but Charbon- net has the skills to become a 1,000- yard rusher. He's also Michigan's best back in pass protection, proving last year he was an all-around player and a true team-first guy. 7. Carlo Kemp, 5th-Sr., DT Kemp (previously No. 10) will probably always be underrated due to his size — he's not the prototypical wide interior lineman, standing 6-3 and 286 pounds — but he'll never be underappreciated by his teammates and coaches. He notched 40 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks last fall, and earned third-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches for his efforts. "He's been such a great leader," Hutchinson praised. "I learned so many things from him. I'm so grate- ful get to have him by my side for the season. "He's so good at what he does when it comes to leadership, football, on the field, off the field. It's just great to have him back." Kemp's ability to time snap counts has made him an effective pass rusher from the middle, but it's an area in which he's still trying to improve, and he's gotten stronger each year. Brown expects Kemp will be even better getting to the quarterback and blowing up offensive lines in his final year. "He really knows his craft," the de- fensive boss said. "I think he's at a per- fect weight. He's probably what some people would say is little bit light, but he really understands blocks. Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Carlo Kemp served as a team captain last year and is a good bet to do so again this fall. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN