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2023 Season Countdown: #92 Cristian Dixon

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Name: Cristian Dixon
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #85
Last year: I ranked Dixon #68 and said he would be a backup wide receiver (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: 75

Dixon has been ranked in the sixties for the past couple years, and he has turned his opportunities into three games played and 1 catch for 7 yards. Despite opportunities opening up for wide receivers with an injury to Ronnie Bell in 2021 and Mike Sainristil moving to defense in 2022, Dixon has been biding his time on the bench. Last season he only played against Colorado State. There are plenty of walk-ons who got more playing time.

So now I’m dropping Dixon to #92. Every time a younger receivers hits campus, it seems like they earn more hype than Dixon: Darrius Clemons, Tyler Morris, Fredrick Moore, Semaj Morgan, etc. Walk-ons Peyton O’Leary and Jake Thaw have shown more than Dixon. This season there will be some snaps open where Ronnie Bell used to play, but I don’t think Dixon will benefit much.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

2023 Season Countdown: #93 Brandyn Hillman

Name: Brandyn Hillman
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 191 lbs.
High school: Portsmouth (VA) Churchland
Position: Safety
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Hillman was a senior in high school (LINK). He passed for 1,312 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he ran for an additional 1,236 yards and 22 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 83

Hillman was a late flip from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. After signing with the Golden Domers, there was an issue with his transcript that wouldn’t allow him to enroll. At that point he was released from his National Letter of Intent. Michigan, which hadn’t even offered him during the cycle, saw he was available, threw him an offer, got him to visit, and then got him to sign. It was quite a stroke of luck for the Wolverines.

Hillman is an excellent athlete with quarterback experience, and quarterbacks often translate well to the college game. We’ve seen it with various players in recent years, including Desmond Morgan (QB to LB), Courtney Avery (QB to CB), Zach Gentry (QB to TE), Michael Barrett (QB to LB), and Luke Schoonmaker (QB to TE). All those players did well, but there is usually a period of transition to the college game; even Desmond Morgan, who played defense in high school, needed time to get ready. Furthermore, Michigan is in pretty good shape at safety with Makari Paige and Rod Moore as the starters, plus a few quality second-year players like Keon Sabb and Zeke Berry. Hillman has a chance to be a good player down the road, and I think he might start getting some experience as a backup and/or on special teams this season.

Prediction: Backup safety and special teamer

Way Too Early 2024 Depth Chart: June 2023

The following depth chart has removed these listed players from the depth chart due to various reasons, even though some could return with a fifth year or COVID year exception:

• QB Jack Tuttle (graduation)
• RB Blake Corum (graduation)
• WR A.J. Henning (graduation)
• WR Cornelius Johnson (graduation)
• WR Roman Wilson (graduation)
• OL Karsen Barnhart (graduation)
• OL LaDarius Henderson (graduation)
• OL Myles Hinton (graduation)
• OL Trente Jones (graduation)
• OL Trevor Keegan (graduation)
• OL Drake Nugent (graduation)
• DT Cam Goode (graduation)
• LB Michael Barrett (graduation)
• LB Nikhai Hill-Green (transfer to Charlotte)
• LB/RB Kalel Mullings (graduation)
• LB Joey Velazquez (graduation)
• CB Mike Sainristil (graduation)
• S Damani Dent (transfer)
• S Quinten Johnson (graduation)
• S R.J. Moten (transfer to Florida)

It also assumes that every currently rostered player and every currently committed prospect will be here in 2024, which is obviously not true.

Hit the jump for the depth chart.

2023 Season Countdown: #94 Cameron Brandt

Name: Cameron Brandt
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 260 lbs.
High school: Chatsworth (CA) Sierra Canyon
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Brandt was a senior in high school (LINK).
TTB Rating: 82

Ranked as a 3-star and the #456 overall player in the country, Brandt was close to having Michigan fans’ undivided attention during the late signing period in February. Michigan wrapped up almost every spot in December, but Brandt – who was committed to Stanford for a while – was someone the Wolverines were working on for a long time. It seemed like a foregone conclusion that he would end up in Ann Arbor rather than in Palo Alto, where longtime coach David Shaw resigned, but he kept fans wondering until the last minute.

Brandt has the body to potentially contribute early at 6’4″ and 260 lbs., but the situation on the defensive line doesn’t really require much from young guys. Eyabi Okie (Charlotte), Taylor Upshaw (Arizona), and Mike Morris (Seattle Seahawks) all departed from the defensive front, but they should be replaced by Josaiah Stewart (Coastal Carolina) and an up-and-coming crew that includes Braiden McGregor and Derrick Moore, among others. Brandt could play some backup snaps, and he could watch the entire season from the sideline. Regardless, he’s a solid prospect who should have some solid seasons in the maize and blue if he waits his turn.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

2024 Recruiting Update: June 26, 2023

COMMITMENTS

Brandywine (MD) Gwynn Park defensive end Devon Baxter committed to Michigan (LINK).

Ijamsville (MD) Oakdale defensive end Dominic Nichols committed to Michigan (LINK).

OFF THE BOARD

Frisco (TX) Reedy offensive tackle Max Anderson (4-star, #18 OT, #201 overall) committed to Tennessee. At one time he was pegged for Michigan, but once the offensive line class started to fill up, Anderson seemed reticent to join such a large OL class.

Hit the jump for more.