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Big Ten Football: Every team’s most important newcomer in 2021

By Dante Pryor

Dec 19, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day lifts the Big 10 Conference championship trophy as running back Trey Sermon (right) reacts after defeating the Northwestern Wildcats at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day lifts the Big 10 Conference championship trophy as running back Trey Sermon (right) reacts after defeating the Northwestern Wildcats at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jim Harbaugh, Michigan football. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan football. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan Wolverines, 2-4

This season is a pivotal year for the Wolverines, and that has nothing to do with what happened last season. Michigan has COVID issues almost the entire season and suspended team activities. This season fans and writers alike get to see if Harbaugh can develop a quarterback.

Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines have been criticized for not developing a quarterback the way Harbaugh did at Stanford and San Fransisco. J.J. McCarthy, the best prospect Harbaugh has had at quarterback, is on campus. McCarthy with Cristian Dixon and Donovan Edwards has an opportunity to start this fall.

  • JJ McCarthy, QB: McCarthy is everything Michigan fans and Jim Harbaugh have waited for since the Wolverines’ former quarterback became head coach. McCarthy has an elite arm and can make all of the throws. McCarthy can push the ball downfield or put the ball between defenders. Though not a running quarterback, McCarthy can evade pressure when things break down, throwing the ball accurately on the run or tucking and running. McCarthey has every chance to start day one.
  • Cristian Dixon, WR: With wide receiver Xavier Worthy reopening his recruitment, Dixon is the highest-rated receiver the Wolverines have. Dixon, a Mater Dei high school product from California, Dixon is a physical long receiver with room to grow. Dixon bullies smaller defensive backs and runs past those trying to press him at the line of scrimmage. With Nico Collins gone, Dixon will compete for snaps on the outside.
  • Donovan Edwards, RB: With Chris Evan and Zach Charbonnet gone this season, Edwards is in a prime position to compete for the starting job at running back. Edwards looks the part; he has the size to plug and play on day one. Edwards is an every-down back who can block as well as catch. Though Edwards to not have elite speed, he has enough to break long runs and is the most explosive back on Michigan’s roster right now.
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