Though Michigan came up short in the College Football Playoff vs. TCU, the team had valuable contributors on both sides of the ball. Who are the top Michigan prospects to keep an eye on in the 2023 NFL Draft cycle, and what do the scouting reports detail about their transition to the pros?
Michigan 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Brad Robbins, P
Strengths: Two-year starter known for getting terrific hang time on punts. Terrific directional kicker who displays touch and the ability to place the ball inside the 20 or out to the hash marks. More than 20% of his punts were placed inside the 20 last season, and one-third resulted in fair catches. Had just a single punt blocked in 179 attempts the past five years at Michigan.
Weaknesses: Slow getting the ball off his foot. Though he has a good leg, he’s not a true field flipper.
Overall: Robbins is an outstanding directional punter with the ability to place the ball wherever necessary and get enough hang time on punts to allow coverage units to make their way downfield. His overall leg strength is not elite, yet Robbins does enough things well to get consideration in the late rounds.
DJ Turner, CB
Strengths: Skilled CB with average size. Loses nothing transitioning off the line of scrimmage, stays on the receiver’s hip out of routes, and has an explosive burst to the ball. Very athletic, tracks the pass in the air, and can drive to the throw out of his plant.
Physical, battles receivers throughout the route, and doesn’t get overmatched by larger wideouts. Keeps the action in front of him, displays good route recognition in zone, and possesses outstanding hands for the interception. Works well with safeties to bracket receivers over the middle of the field. Plays like a good athlete. Confident but also good.
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Weaknesses: Gets overmatched by larger receivers. Struggles getting off blocks. Average skill in run support.
Overall: Turner has been one of my favorite cornerback prospects the past two seasons. He possesses next-level ball skills as well as a next-level attitude and comes with starting potential.
Want more information on Turner? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: DJ Turner, CB, Michigan | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Gemon Green, CB
Strengths: Underrated corner with a solid game. Tracks the pass in the air, stays on the receiver’s hip out of breaks, and has a burst to the ball. Mixes it up with opponents throughout the route, effectively diagnoses plays, and runs downfield with opponents. Quick closing to the action, fires up the field, and gives effort against the run. Wraps up tackling.
Weaknesses: A bit late flipping his hips in transition. Must do a better job consistently getting his head back around to locate the pass rather than faceguarding opponents. Struggles in battles.
Overall: Green is a talented corner with solid ball skills who offers potential as a dime back in either zone coverage or backed off the line of scrimmage.
Jake Moody, K
Strengths: Two-year starter who was a consensus All-American kicker in 2021. Completed 82.8% of his field goals last season after 90% the year prior. Has a career-long field goal of 59 yards. Had just one kick blocked in 84 attempts over the past five years. Gets solid hang time on kickoffs, allowing coverage teams to get downfield.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t have a huge leg. Completed less than 70% of his field goals from 50 yards or longer. Pulls field goals when he misses.
Overall: Moody comes off a somewhat disappointing campaign, yet has shown a ton of consistency as a short and intermediate field-goal kicker and is an asset on kickoffs.
Joel Honigford, TE
Strengths: Massive college tight end who is primarily a blocker. Strong, fires off the snap into blocks, and turns defenders from the line. Blocks with excellent knee bend, gets leverage on opponents, and attacks assignments. Solid short-area pass catcher who extends his hands to make the reception away from his frame.
Weaknesses: Runs like an offensive lineman rather than a tight end. Has just one reception in five years of college football.
Overall: Honigford has speed limitations and is not an offensive threat, but he would be very useful for a team that needs a blocking TE in short-yardage or goal-line situations.
Luke Schoonmaker, TE
Strengths: Tall, fluid tight end with natural receiving skills. Fundamentally sound as a blocker, bends his knees, and gets leverage on opponents. Quickly releases off the line into pass routes, runs relatively sharp routes for a big tight end, and adjusts to grab the errant throw from the air.
Follows the QB across the field to make himself an available target, adjusts to the errant throw, and makes several athletic receptions. Extends his hands to offer the quarterback a target and makes the reception away from his frame. Effective blocking on the second level and seals opponents from the action.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t show great downfield speed and isn’t a true deep threat. Must improve his route-running balance and do a better job positioning himself out of routes. Has a linear build and may struggle against physical linebackers at the next level.
Overall: Schoonmaker was highly rated coming into the season and did a good job last year despite playing through an injury. He’s not the exceptional downfield threat teams want at tight end these days, but he does everything very well and comes with an upside.
Want more information on Schoonmaker? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Mazi Smith, DT
Strengths: Explosive defensive tackle who is an athletic freak. Fires off the snap and is very aggressive. Has a violent playing style, plays with great leverage, and possesses a closing burst. Quickly diagnoses plays and remains disciplined with assignments. Easily changes direction, displays good lateral movement skills, and gets down the line of scrimmage or outside the box to make plays.
Keeps his feet moving, plays with balance, and rarely gets knocked off his feet. Holds the point and is tough to move off the line. Shows the ability to catch the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage despite low sack numbers. Flashes tremendous hand technique shedding blocks. Occupies opponents to allow teammates to get to the ball.
Weaknesses: Often tied up easily by blocks or out-positioned from plays. Inconsistent first step off the snap.
Overall: Smith has been a favorite of mine the past three seasons. He wreaks havoc on the inside and creates opportunities for pass rushers. While many in the scouting community have a much lower opinion of Smith, I believe he offers starting potential as well as scheme versatility.
Want more information on Smith? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Mike Morris, EDGE
Strengths: Developing pass rusher with a large upside. Very athletic, plays hard, and keeps coming. Breaks down well, uses his hands to protect himself, and displays speed in backside pursuit. Easily bends off the edge, quickly changes direction, and possesses a closing burst.
Gets a lot of momentum going upfield, can be tough to stop, and creates much havoc behind the line of scrimmage. Stands over tackle or comes out of a three-point stance with an explosive first step. Uses his hands well, stands up tight ends, and gives effort against the run.
Weaknesses: Must improve his overall body strength. Was a bit streaky last season and faded down the stretch. Has only one season of big-time production.
Overall: Morris showed flashes as a sophomore in 2021 and then elevated his game last season. He possesses solid size as well as growth potential and comes with a large upside. If Morris continues to improve, he offers potential as a devastating pass rusher at the next level.
Want more information on Morris? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Mike Morris, EDGE, Michigan | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Olusegun Oluwatimi, C
Strengths: Tough, smart center who gets the most from his ability. Very quick in all his actions, can kick out in a small area, and stays square, sealing defenders from the action. Slides in space, blocks with tremendous leverage, and has a great sense of what’s happening on the field.
Keeps his head on a swivel and always looks to hit someone. Sets with a wide base, sinks his butt at the line of scrimmage, and blocks with outstanding pad level. Fires off the snap into blocks and is explosive at the point. Shows great field vision.
Weaknesses: Struggles adjusting or redirecting on the second level. Not a dominant run blocker who gets a lot of movement. Plays like an average athlete.
Overall: Oluwatimi is a tremendous story who did a great job at Michigan last season after transferring from Virginia. Despite being highly rated in some areas, he displays a lot of ordinary physical skills and was exploited at times during Senior Bowl practices. He’s a late-round choice and a backup at the next level, but Oluwatimi’s approach to the game will help him.
Want more information on Oluwatimi? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Olusegun Oluwatimi, C, Michigan | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Ronnie Bell, WR
Strengths: Reliable wideout whose game really took off last season. Fluid releasing off the line of scrimmage, quickly exits breaks, and stays low to position himself for the reception. Tracks the deep pass in the air, extends his hands, and grabs the ball away from his frame.
Sturdy receiver who comes back to the ball and snatches the ball out of the air. Quick-footed and creates yardage after the catch. Keeps his head on a swivel and gives effort blocking. Possesses big hands for a receiver.
Weaknesses: Plays to one speed and doesn’t play to his 40 time. Has been streaky in the past.
Overall: Bell comes off a terrific 2022 season where he continually came up big for Michigan. His Senior Bowl practices were not out of the ordinary, and there is no specific area of Bell’s game that really stands out. He offers potential as a fourth or fifth receiver at the next level and comes with return potential.
Want more information on Bell? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Ronnie Bell, WR, Michigan | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Ryan Hayes, OT
Strengths: Hard-working and efficient college left tackle who bends his knees, blocks with leverage, and works his hands throughout the action. Patient, stays square, and displays above-average footwork sliding off the edge. Keeps his feet moving and makes great use of angles. Solid run blocker who can be devastating at the point of attack.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t play like a great athlete. Overextends into blocks on occasion. Struggles to adjust. Arms measure under 33 inches. May have to move inside to guard.
Overall: Hayes was a terrific starter for a Michigan team that liked to run the ball with a quarterback who scrambled all over the place. He’s efficient and gets the most from his ability, yet lacks great upside. His arm length may force a move into guard, but Hayes offers starting potential in a system that doesn’t require him to zone block.
Want more information on Oluwatimi? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Ryan Hayes, C, Michigan | NFL Draft Scouting Report