The 2022 Michigan football team had a lot of returning players but also some new freshmen that were able to make impacts almost immediately. Former 5-star corner Will Johnson started later in the year but proved to be electric, helping shut down Ohio State’s electric receiving core and snagging three interceptions in five games starting. Even with much of the 2022 team’s core returning, I expect these three freshmen to make an immediate impact on the field.
Running Back Cole Cabana
Cole Cabana, who will be a true freshman this fall, was snagged right from Michigan’s own backyard, as the 4-star was the number 21 overall running back in the nation and number 3 overall player in Michigan in the 2023 class. He also accumulated over 5,000 all-purpose yards during his high school career and set multiple school records for rushing.
Cole was an excellent all-purpose player, as he was used as a receiver and a punt returner at Dexter High School. His impact could be felt immediately, and with AJ Henning’s transfer to Northwestern, a battle for the punt-returning spot may be his for the taking in the fall. He is very explosive with the ball in his hands, and I believe we may see him take reps at receiver. Cole could also be used as a wild-card type guy, much like AJ Henning was used. Either way, we can expect Cole to have some form of impact this season, and I think Harbaugh may have something up his sleeve.
Former Dexter HS RB Cole Cabana (4) – Ryan Sun/mlive
Cornerback Jyaire Hill
Jyaire was the number two overall recruit out of Illinois in the ’23 cycle and for good reason. He ran track in high school and ran 100-meter times of 10.87, 11.01, and 11.08 as a junior, and played both running back and cornerback at the same time. Jyaire also had seven interceptions during his junior year, along with 56 tackles. Jyaire’s impact on the field at Kankakee HS can definitely be translated into college success right away.
His speed and versatility definitely show up on tape, and I would not be surprised if he makes huge strides during fall camp to possibly take the CB-2 spot, with Will Johnson being the clear CB-1. He has the potential to do great things while at Michigan, and I believe he is a future CB-1 on the team.
Michigan CB Jyaire Hill (20) – Jaime Crawford/Getty Images
Wide Receiver Semaj Morgan
Semaj Morgan could very easily compete for the kick-returning duties during his freshman year. He is very versatile, speedy, and has great open-field explosiveness. He caught 61 passes for over a thousand yards and 13 touchdowns his junior year and also contributed a bunch playing cornerback and kick returner as well. His major strengths in high school can definitely show early on in college if Harbaugh chooses to use them in 2023.
I see Semaj competing heavily for the kick-returning duties this fall, but with the depth in the receiving room, I don’t expect him to see the field much. He will be more of a down-the-line player who could contribute a lot to the offense in 2024 and on.
Michigan WR Semaj Morgan (12) – Jaime Crawford/Getty Images
Overall, these three freshmen are each explosive and dynamic in their own ways, and I expect Jim Harbaugh and the coaching staff to develop and make use of the new talent they have coming in this year. I believe that all three of these players can have huge impacts this fall and, in the future, be huge contributors.
