Mark Stoops is leaving Louisville in the latest coaching poll.
The college football season is officially over after the Michigan Wolverines won the championship in Houston on
Monday night.Now that the season has officially begun, one final coaching poll was conducted to get the fan
base excited about the future of these programs.For Mark Stoops, the contest against the Louisville Cardinals
took another step in the right direction when he left the Cards off his final ballot.After a perfect first 11 games of
the season, the last three could not have gone worse for the Cardinals. It started with the Cats’ upset win at Floyd
Street on Thanksgiving weekend and culminated with the team laying an egg against Florida State in the ACC
Championship Series. Not to mention the Holiday Bowl win against USC that held off key players like Caleb
Williams.Despite the year coming to an end, the Cards finished the year 10-4 and have plenty of momentum
heading into the offseason.Did Mark Stoops do this to add to the rivalry? Absolutely not. However, it will make it
that much sweeter if the Cats get another win against the Cards next season..
Michigan defensive end Junior Colson makes NFL draft decisionThis season, Colson led Michigan with 95 tackles
and added two tackles for loss and two pass breakups.After the Michigan football team and the national
championship, the Wolverines are faced with the decisions of returning to Michigan for one year or the NFL.And
consider quarterback Junior Colson in the latter group. The young guard and former top-100 recruit is headed to
the draft. He made the announcement Thursday afternoon.andquot;I want to express my heartfelt thanks to
Michigan andquot; Colson wrote. andquot;My time in Ann Arbor has been the cornerstone of my past three years
or life, an experience for which I am deeply grateful and will cherish forever.andquot;andquot;I am honored and
humbled to announce that I am officially declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.andquot;At 6-foot-1, 246 pounds and
inexperienced, Colson is widely considered a mid-level prospect in the NFL draft. Colson is the No. 130 overall
prospect and the No. 6 quarterback overall, according to Pro Football Focus’ preliminary 2024 big board and
#039;That season, Colson led Michigan with 95 tackles and added two tackles for loss and two pass breakups.
Before the bowl games, the junior led the Big Ten and was second among 172 power-5 linebackers in missed
tackles (three of 82). He also improved in coverage (6.3 yards per target allowed) and against the run (11th
among five power-5 linebackers in PFF’s run defense category, second in run-defense tackles).Colson is a largely
unproven passer (2.5 sacks against 257 career tackles) and interception (five interceptions, zero forced fumbles or
interceptions in three seasons at Michigan), but the NFL likes him just fine. looking for his tough shots and
comfort playing through injury.With his size (6-foot-3, 246 pounds) and a fairly large film sample (he’s played
1,791 snaps and recorded 240 tackles in 41 games so far), now might be the optimal time to make a splash.As we
wrote in December, andquot;The way opposing coaches are talking about Colson seems to point to him being a
second-day draft pick and Michigan’s best defensive player, but that doesn’t seem to be the consensus among
scouting services. If NFL feedback suggests Colson could be in the top 100, we expect him to make the jump now.
But if the feedback is now softer and more optimistic about the future, we could see Colson return to All-
American senior seasons.andquot; 4,444 4,444 Colson joins a growing number of Michigan starters who are
ineligible, have accepted exhibition invitations or declared for the NFL draft. Also on the roster are running back
Blake Corum, wide receiver Cornelius Johnson, wide receiver Roman Wilson, tight end AJ Barner, tackle Karsen
Barnhart, tackle LaDarius Henderson, guard Trevor Keegan, guard Zak Zinter, center Drake Nugent, defensive end
Kris Jenkins. , wing Braiden McGregor, wing Jaylen Harrell, linebacker Michael Barrett, cornerback Mike Sainristil
and cornerback Josh Wallace.Instead of Colson, Michigan is turning to Ernest Hausmann, who had 46 tackles this
season, Jimmy Rolder and Maryland transfer Jaishawn Barham, who had 37 tackles for the Terrapins last year.
Jaydon Hood, Micah Pollard and Christian Boivin also recorded tackles at linebacker for the Wolverines this
season.Michigan OL Zak Zinter Officially Declares For NFL DraftMichigan Football OL Zak Zinter Declares For NFL
Draft.ANN ARBOR, Mich. — After an exemplary career at Michigan, offensive lineman Zak Zinter will enter the NFL
draft, he announced Thursday afternoon.As expected, the decision goes to the All-American Right Guard. Zinter, a
consensus First Team All-American in 2023, announced the news on social media with the following
message:Michigan Nation,The memories and friendships I have made over the past 4 years will last a lifetime.
Words cannot describe how grateful I am to wear a helmet with wings and earn a degree from the best university
in the country!First I want to thank my family and friends who have been there for me week after week, especially
my mom and dad who have never missed a game throughout my career. Thanks to my brother and sister for
being my biggest fans. It meant the world and I can’t imagine this trip without you all. I thank Coach Harbaugh
for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the winningest program in the nation and for guiding me
throughout my college career. Coach Moore, you have pushed me on and off the field to become the player and
man I have always dreamed of becoming. Our O-line group is special and the bond we have will last forever. A
big thank you to the best athletic training staff in the country who always went out of their way to take amazing
care of me every step of the way.What makes this team special is the culture we’ve all built together. What we’ve
created here over the past four years is LEGENDARY. Weand made history together and always supported each
other. I am extremely grateful for each of my brothers on this team who pushed each other at every level,
overcame adversity and respected thelevel of Michigan football.I want to thank Wolverine Nation, the best fans in
the world, for always believing in this team and for the unwavering support each of you have shown me. I am
grateful to leave my legacy as a captain and a Michigan man. This would not have been possible without my faith
and trust in God and His plans for my life. Isaiah 41:10.After that I officially declare the 2024 NFL
Draft.andquot;Those who remain are Champions andquot; Get blue!Zinter started every game that season until U-
Mand#039 suffered a broken tibia and fibula in the second half of a win over Ohio State in late November. By the
time of the College Football Playoff national championship game, he was walking without assistance. He is
projected to be selected in the first three rounds.
