Predicting Michigan's Trajectory For The Next Three Years

Over the last two seasons, Michigan has been better than any program in the country not named Georgia. Two massive wins over Ohio State in a row, to go along with back to back Big Ten titles and two appearances in the College Football Playoff have Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines among college football royalty. Because of that, the brand that is Michigan, the resources and the constant improvements to NIL, experts see the Wolverines as a fully awake giant at this point.

ESPN senior writer Adam Rittenberg recently ranked the top 25 college football programs over the next three years. So basically, he's ranking the programs based on what they've done, what they'll do this year and how that will translate into success in 2024, 2025 and 2026. He currently has the Wolverines at No. 4 behind only Georgia, Alabama and Ohio State, which certainly creates some interesting points of discussion.

Scouting the Wolverines: Michigan's remarkable rise since 2020 has included upgrades at just about every position, and growth from coach Jim Harbaugh and the staff. The team is not just winning but achieving Harbaugh's vision, overpowering opponents at the line of scrimmage. Michigan's recruiting is starting to approach the level of other top-five teams, as ESPN currently ranks its 2024 class at No. 2 nationally, helped by the commitment of quarterback Jadyn Davis, the No. 37 overall prospect, and others like top tight end recruit Brady Prieskorn (ESPN No. 92 overall) and running back Jordan Marshall. The Wolverines are also effectively using the portal. This year they've added transfers like linebacker Ernest Hausmann (Nebraska), edge rusher Josaiah Stewart (Coastal Carolina), kicker James Turner (Louisville), and offensive linemen LaDarius Henderson (Arizona State), Drake Nugent (Stanford) and Myles Hinton (Stanford). Michigan could have the best offense in Harbaugh's tenure this fall, especially if quarterback J.J. McCarthy improves on downfield throws. Michigan returns the nation's best running back tandem in Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, veteran wide receivers like Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson, and an emerging star in tight end Colston Loveland. The line will need to keep reloading after 2023, but coach Sherrone Moore has the group in a good spot.

Since 2021, Michigan ranks fifth nationally in points allowed. The defense last fall showed its staying power after losing several stars and coordinator Mike Macdonald to the NFL. Playcaller Jesse Minter returns and will oversee a unit set up well at linebacker, safety and -- potentially -- along the defensive line, especially if Stewart, Jaylen Harrell, Derrick Moore and others can provide a pass-rushing boost. The defense needs to keep producing stars, and cornerback Will Johnson could be one of them for at least the next two seasons. Linebacker projects as a strength with Junior Colson, Michael Barrett and others. A long-term core of Johnson, Moore, Hausmann, lineman Mason Graham and others is very exciting. Michigan's 2024 recruiting is a bit offense-heavy at the top but also features three ESPN 300 defenders.

Everyone seems to know that Michigan will be very hard to handle in 2023, but things do get interesting after that based on how the roster looks now. To see a national writer at ESPN, who always slurps the SEC, put Michigan up at the top with the likes of Georgia and Alabama is certainly promising. Ohio State is always going to be there, but Michigan definitely has Ryan Day's number right now.