Michigan Football Sleepers For 2023: Linebacker

Michigan is pretty much set at every position on the field, but there's always potential for someone new to step up in a major way.

Michigan has stacked up two incredible seasons in a row and is riding as high as ever under Jim Harbaugh. In fact, the Wolverines are returning 81% of its production from last year's team, which included a win over Ohio State, a Big Ten title and a second straight appearance in the College Football Playoff. That production mark is good for 5th in the entire country and 1st in the Big Ten. Because of that, there aren't many question marks on the roster.

In fact, most positions are completely solidified — quarterback and running back being two of them. Wide receiver is experienced and quite deep, although Michigan's offense has limited production there a bit, and tight end looks new yet solid with rising sophomore Colston Loveland and Indiana transfer AJ Barner holding things down. Along the offensive line, Michigan is as deep as any program in the country and is widely viewed as the best unit in college football. In fact, it doesn't really matter who Sherrone Moore decides to start; several very reliable and experienced offensive linemen are going to be watching from the sidelines this fall. Left guard, center and right guard are as solid as can be with Trevor Keegan, likely Stanford transfer Drake Nugent and Zak Zinter forming a formidable interior. There will be battles at both tackle spots but there are about six or seven players who could legitimately battle for two openings. Along the defensive line, things feel pretty set with Braiden McGregor and Jaylen Harrell coming off the edge, while Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant hold down the interior, with perhaps the best player of the bunch, Kris Jenkins, moving all over the place. There are also going to be some key rotational players up front on defense including Derrick Moore and transfer Josaiah Stewart.

Linebacker is also extremely solid and even better than last year after adding true sophomore tackling machine Ernest Hausmann via the transfer portal. Last year at Nebraska as a true freshman, Hausmann racked up 54 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and one fumble recovery in seven starts. Pair him up with Junior Colson and Mike Barrett, and you have one of the best linebacker trios in the nation. Because of that, it's hard to select a sleeper, because it just doesn't seem like the three backers mentioned above will come off the field much. Still, Jimmy Rolder played quite a bit last year as a true freshman, so he's my guy.

Last year as a rookie, the 6-2, 228-pound Rolder played 155 snaps and appeared in 13 games. He notched 14 tackles and really looked the part in his No. 30 jersey. He's big, versatile and really packs a punch when tackling a ball carrier. With the addition of Hausmann, snaps are going to be hard to come by, but if anyone can step up if needed, it's Rolder. After a freshman year of decent playing time, Rolder should be primed and ready to play plenty of meaningful snaps should his number be called.