ESPN Personality Shares Why He 'Loves Michigan' In 2023

ESPN personality and College Football analyst, Greg McElroy, released his preseason top 25 and he talked about his top 10 teams in his podcast 'Always College Football'.

The former Alabama and NFL quarterback ranked Michigan No. 2 behind Georgia entering the 2023 season. McElrory's top five consisted of Georgia, Michigan, Alabama, Ohio State, and LSU.

Why does McElroy have Michigan so high entering 2023? He says he loves what the Wolverines have this year. Even after using the transfer portal to bring in offensive linemen, he believes the Wolverines' O-line will be just fine.

“I love Michigan this year,” McElroy said. “I’ve been very outspoken about Michigan dating back to last year. They’re phenomenal. I expect them to be really good again this year. Do have concerns, I know they’ve gone out to the portal. They’ve been a very attractive portal destination for offensive line talent in the past. But will they be able to replace what they had last year? We’ll find out. I think that group will be very good."

Michigan got a huge boost to its 2023 chances when Heisman-contending running back, Blake Corum, said he would return for his senior year. Donovan Edwards and Corum combine for one of the best duos in college football.

"We all know what they have at running back..," said McElroy. "The rich get richer between Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, they’re going to be in great shape at that position.”

The ESPN personality believes the wide receiver position may be a weak spot for Michigan entering 2023, but with the emergence of Cornelius Johnson, he thinks the Wolverines will be fine there. McElroy also shouted out sophomore Colston Loveland who he believes will be featured in the TE-heavy offense.

“I think Colston Loveland has a lot to like at the tight end spot,” McElroy said. “He’ll be a featured player. You also get AJ Barner via the transfer portal. I think the one question that you might have is at wide receiver but even that might be a bit of a stretch knowing the identity of this offense is going to be ground and pound until it’s not. Cornelius Johnson is a difference maker expecting to get as many touches as humanly possible within that offensive scheme.”

But what excites McElroy the most about Michigan is its junior gun-slinger, J.J. McCarthy. He believes Michigan has the best quarterback in the Big Ten and he thinks the Wolverines' quarterback will take a massive step forward this year.

“A lot of my excitement about Michigan centers around the improvement of JJ McCarthy,” McElroy said. “I think he’s really on the cusp of becoming a superstar in the world of college football. I think he’s the best quarterback in the Big Ten right now... I want the upside potentially of JJ McCarthy."

“I believe he has it in him and I think his best football is in front of them. I really believe that and I would be surprised if he doesn’t take a significant step this year in 2023.”

The analyst then turned his attention toward Michigan's top 10 defense. McElroy loves the depth of the Wolverines' defense and mentioned guys like Mason Graham, Michael Barrett, Junior Colson, and Will Johnson as being big-time contributors in 2023.

He's excited to see what look Michigan has in Week 1, especially on the Edge. McElroy wants to know which one of the Wolverines Edge defenders will be an All-American this season.

“I love the depth of this defense,” McElroy said. “I love the edge this defense plays with and it seems like every year it’s like man, I wonder what Michigan is going to roll out Week 1 with what they have on the edge? It’s like one year after another it’s like every year, here comes another All-American defensive end. Take your pick this year, there’s plenty of options to choose from. I love this Michigan group from top to bottom, this should be one of the nation’s very best.”