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Michigan Football: Top 3 way-too-early breakout candidates for 2022

By Christopher Mangum

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines in action against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines in action against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 02: Chez Mellusi #6 of the Wisconsin Badgers is tackled by Junior Colson #25 and David Ojabo #55 of the Michigan Wolverines during the game at Camp Randall Stadium on October 02, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. Michigan defeated Wisconsin 38-17. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 02: Chez Mellusi #6 of the Wisconsin Badgers is tackled by Junior Colson #25 and David Ojabo #55 of the Michigan Wolverines during the game at Camp Randall Stadium on October 02, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. Michigan defeated Wisconsin 38-17. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

2. Junior Colson

Though Junior Colson will only be a sophomore heading into 2022, he may become Michigan’s next defensive star. With much of the Wolverines’ defense leaving this off-season, Colson will have a chance to prove himself as a high-caliber linebacker this coming season.

Heading into his freshman season with the Wolverines, Colson was rated as a four-star recruit by 247Sports and was the No. 10 player for his position in the 2021 recruiting cycle.

Colson did not earn a starting role in 2021, yet he still saw significant playing time in former defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald’s defense. Michigan has since hired a new defensive coordinator, though the Wolverines will still be running the same scheme that MacDonald implemented a year before, meaning Colson will likely still fit right in.

In 2021 Colson recorded 60 tackles; 28 were solo tackles and recorded 0.5 sacks in Michigan’s 21-17 win at Penn State. Colson also recovered a fumble against Rutgers in the Wolverines’ 20-13 Big Ten opener win over the Scarlett Knights. As a starter, Colson could quickly become Michigan’s next defensive star.

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