X-factor

"The longer it takes for Junior to figure out how good (he) is, the better off Junior's going to be," Jim Harbaugh recently said.

Make no mistake, Michigan is going to bank on that improvement in 2022 in the form of increased production and playmaking. With another first-year coordinator on staff and heavy turnover on defense, the Wolverines are going to need plenty of guys at all three levels to step up this. Michigan’s had its share of star linebackers pass through in recent years — from All-American Devin Bush to Cameron McGrone — and Colson figures to be the next. He can go in at any time and do exactly what I do, and I can go in at any time and do exactly what he does.” He was later adopted and spent his teen years in Tennessee, where his new parents introduced him to the game of football. “He’s got a great work ethic, great attitude; all the physical skills, really smart.