By Danielle Daniels

2023 National Awards – Postseason Accolades

• McCarthy Named Among 10 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Finalists (Oct. 31)
• Zinter Selected as Finalist for NFF William V. Campbell Trophy (Oct. 25)

Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalist (Nov. 21) — Running back Blake Corum was selected as one of 10 semifinalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, presented annually to college football’s best player. Corum is the nation’s top scorer (120 points) with an NCAA-best 20 rushing touchdowns. He is one shy of setting a new single-season rushing touchdowns record at Michigan, and with 51 career rushing scores, he is five shy of setting the new career mark (currently 55). Corum has 888 rushing yards overall this season for a top-12 scoring offense and he ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns on the then-No. 1-rated rushing defense at Penn State earlier this month. Three finalists for the 2023 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award will be named on Nov. 28 and the winner will be recognized as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Friday, Dec. 8. » Walter Camp Football Foundation Release

Broyles Award Semifinalist (Nov. 20) — Offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Sherrone Moore was selected as one of 15 semifinalists for the 2023 Broyles Award honoring the top assistant coach in college football, it was announced by the Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation. Moore has led the U-M offense and offensive line groups to great success through U-M’s 11-0 start. Michigan averages a scoring margin of +29.3 points per game, the top figure in the country, and is one of four teams to rank top-12 in both scoring offense and scoring defense. The offense boasts the nation’s leading scorer in Blake Corum (120 points), who has tied the U-M single-season rushing touchdowns record (20). Moore has been interim head coach for the Wolverines for three games this season (Bowling Green, at Penn State, at Maryland). » Broyles Award Release

Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 20) — Defensive back Mike Sainristil was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following his two-interception game at Maryland last weekend (Nov. 18). It was the first game of Sainristil’s career with multiple interceptions and the first by a Wolverine since Will Johnson intercepted Purdue twice in the 2022 Big Ten Championship Game. Both Sainristil’s picks came in the second half, including one in the fourth quarter with under five minutes remaining to help preserve the U-M lead and bring the team to 11-0. He also made three tackles in the game. This is the first Big Ten weekly award of Sainristil’s career. He is the third Wolverine to win a weekly honor from the conference this season and the second on defense (McCarthy, Stewart). » Big Ten Release

East-West Shrine Bowl Breakout Defensive Player of the Week, Reese’s Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 20) — Defensive back Mike Sainristil has been chosen as the Breakout Defensive Player of the Week by the East-West Shrine Bowl and has also been named the Reese’s Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week after his standout performance helped Michigan win its 1,000th game in program history and improve to 11-0 on the season at Maryland last weekend (Nov. 18). Sainristil intercepted two passes for his first career multi-interception game. Both came in the second half including one in the final minutes of the fourth quarter to help preserve the lead.

Outland Trophy Semifinalist (Nov. 15) — Offensive lineman Zak Zinter has been named as one of seven semifinalists for the Outland Trophy. Zinter is an offensive leader for a Wolverine unit averaging over 400 yards and 39.0 points per game. U-M ranks third nationally with 28 rushing touchdowns this season, and the offensive line has allowed just 12 sacks in 10 games. Michigan’s 3.6 tackles for loss allowed per game is fifth in the country and the unit supports the country’s top scorer and rushing touchdown leader in Blake Corum (108 points; 18 rushing touchdowns). Zinter himself has played the second-most snaps of any Wolverine this season (538) and has been charged with just four hurries and no sacks allowed in 250 pass-blocking snaps. Finalists for the Outland Trophy will be named on Nov. 28. » Outland Trophy

Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Semifinalist (Nov. 14) — Quarterback J.J. McCarthy was named as one of 20 semifinalists for the 2023 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award. McCarthy directs a top-10 scoring offense (39.0 points per game) and ranks second nationally in pass efficiency rating (187.2) and completion percentage (76.2) while ranking third in yards per attempt (10.25). He has 18 passing touchdowns and another two rushing despite nine fourth-quarter pass attempts all season long. Fans can vote for McCarthy through Friday, Nov. 24. Three finalists will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 28. » Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award

Joe Moore Award Semifinalist (Nov. 14) — The Wolverine offensive line was chosen as one of 12 semifinalist units for the 2023 Joe Moore Award presented to the best offensive line in college football. U-M sits at 10-0 and boasts the No. 10 scoring offense (39.0 points per game), averaging over 400 yards per game. The offensive line helps pave the way for the nation’s leading scorer in Blake Corum (18 rushing touchdowns, 108 points) and the nation’s No. 2 passer in pass efficiency rating and completion percentage in J.J. McCarthy. Together, they permit just 3.6 negative plays per game (fifth nationally) on average with 12 sacks allowed across 10 games while helping the Wolverines convert 42-of-47 red zone chances with 36 touchdowns. The Maize and Blue are the two-time defending champions of the award (2021-22), the first-ever unit to win consecutive honors. Finalists will be named on Tuesday, Dec. 5. » Joe Moore Award

Maxwell Award Semifinalists (Nov. 13) — Quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running back Blake Corum have been named semifinalists for the Maxwell Award, presented annually to college football’s best player. McCarthy and Corum help lead the 10-0 Wolverines’ No. 10 scoring offense (39.0 points per game). McCarthy ranks second nationally in pass efficiency rating (187.2) and completion percentage (76.2) and third in yards per attempt (10.25) with 18 passing touchdowns with another three rushing. He is averaging 236.5 yards of total offense per game despite nine fourth-quarter pass attempts all season. Corum is the national leader in rushing touchdowns (18) and scoring (108 points), three scores clear of the next-closest back. He is two scores shy of matching U-M’s single-season record and a force in an offense averaging over 400 yards per game. Corum is coming off a 26-carry, 145-yard, two-touchdown performance against the No. 1-ranked rushing defense at Penn State last weekend. Finalists for the Maxwell Award will be named on Nov. 28. » Maxwell Award

Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist (Nov. 13) — Defensive lineman Kris Jenkins was selected as a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football. Jenkins has posted 22 tackles (eight solo) with 3.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks and one interception for a Michigan defense ranked first in scoring (7.5 points per game), total defense (232.1 yards per game), and red zone defense (57.1 percent allowed) among five total categories. Jenkins anchors a unit that permits 11.9 first downs per game and has not been scored upon in the third quarter of any game this year. Finalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on Nov. 28. » Chuck Bednarik Award

Patrick Mannelly Award Semifinalist (Nov. 13) — Long snapper William Wagner was recognized as one of 10 semifinalists for the Patrick Mannelly Award given to the nation’s top long snapper. Wagner has snapped in all 10 games for the Wolverines, handling all 39 punts and field goals and 49-of-51 PAT snaps in 2023 after returning from a season-ending injury suffered in 2022. Wagner is a trusted part of the protection unit for U-M’s field goal and punt units and he has helped the Wolverines convert three tries from 40-plus yards (42, 46, 59 yards). The punt unit that he helps direct allows only 5.8 yards per return on 28 punts. Three finalists for the 2023 Patrick Mannelly Award will be named on Nov. 27 and will be invited to attend the award presentation dinner on Saturday, Dec. 9, near Chicago. » Patrick Mannelly Award

Biletnikoff Award Watch List (Nov. 13) — Wide receiver Roman Wilson was added to the Biletnikoff Award watch list by the Tennessee Quarterback Club Foundation. Wilson leads the Wolverines with 36 receptions, 589 receiving yards and 10 touchdown catches. His double-digit scoring this season has been the most productive by a U-M wideout since Mario Manningham scored 12 in 2007. Wilson has multiple catches in nine of 10 games this year for U-M’s top-10 scoring offense that averages more than 400 yards per game. The Biletnikoff Award, named after Fred Biletnikoff, honors the top FBS receiver at any position. Semifinalists will be announced on Monday, Nov. 20. » Biletnikoff Award

Lott IMPACT Trophy Semifinalist (Nov. 10) — Linebacker Junior Colson is one of nine semifinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation announced. Colson is the leading tackler on the nation’s top defense with 49 stops and two tackles for loss on the season. He has helped the Wolverines lead the nation in total defense, pass yards allowed per game, first downs allowed per game, red zone defense, and scoring defense. The Lott IMPACT Trophy is awarded to the collegiate football defensive IMPACT player of the year; IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity. Finalists for the award will be invited to the annual Lott IMPACT Trophy Awards show on Dec. 10 in Newport Beach, Calif. » Lott IMPACT Trophy release

Mackey Award Semifinalist (Nov. 8) — Tight end AJ Barner has been selected as one of nine semifinalists for the John Mackey Award, given annually to college football’s most outstanding tight end. Barner has appeared in all nine games for the Wolverines with six starts. He has caught 14 passes totaling 192 yards with one touchdown and has been a force in the run game as a blocker, helping U-M rank No. 1 in the Big Ten in total offense (424.2 yards per game). He had a career game against Michigan State (Oct. 21), hauling in eight receptions for 99 yards — both career bests dating to his time at Indiana — and scored on a 22-yard touchdown. Barner is one of two Big Ten representatives on the list, joining Ohio State’s Cade Stover. The Mackey Award will name its finalists the week of Nov. 27 and the award will be part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards on Friday, Dec. 8.

Ray Guy Award Ray’s 8 (Nov. 6) — Punter Tommy Doman was honored as one of Ray’s Eight by the Ray Guy Award for his performance against Purdue last weekend. Doman punted four times and delivered all four balls at or inside Purdue’s 12-yard line with kicks landing at the 12, 10, five and three-yard lines. Two balls were fair caught, one was downed, and another rolled out of bounds, with no returns allowed. Thanks to that effective punting and Doman’s six touchbacks on eight kickoffs, Purdue started 12 of 14 drives at or inside its own 25-yard line. This is Doman’s second time this season being named to Ray’s Eight.

Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist (Nov. 2) — Running back Blake Corum has been named one of eight semifinalists for the Wuerffel Trophy, presented annually to the FBS player who combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field. Corum is tied for the FBS lead in rushing touchdowns (13) and ranks top-10 at Michigan in all-time rushing yards (ninth) and rushing touchdowns (third). Off the field, he has made “Football is my passion, but giving back is my purpose,” his mantra. He has demonstrated that with incredible generosity during his time as a Wolverine. Through NIL earnings, he has generously contributed money and many hours of his time to bettering the Ann Arbor campus community and the nearby areas of Ypsilanti and Detroit, Mich., in addition to his hometown in Virginia. Whether he is organizing a meal drive or a toy drive, finding time to read to kids, purchasing back-to-school materials for a community in need, or literally providing food to his neighbors, Corum is committed to making a difference. » Wuerffel Trophy Release

Lombardi Award Semifinalist (Nov. 1) — Zak Zinter was recognized as one of 12 semifinalists for the 2023 Rotary Lombardi Award, awarded by the Rotary Club of Houston. The Award is distributed to the college football lineman of the year who best embodies the values and spirit of NFL’s legendary coach Vince Lombardi. Zinter is a team captain and leader for the Michigan offense which ranks sixth in points per game (40.6) and second in tackles for loss allowed per game (3.0). Zinter has helped lead the offense during a stretch when U-M has scored 30-plus points in 11 straight contests, a school record. » Rotary Lobardi Release

Bednarik Award Midseason Watch List (Nov. 1) — Defensive back Mike Sainristil was recognized as a midseason addition to the 2023 watch list for the 29th Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced. The award is presented to the outstanding defensive player in college football. A team captain, Sainristil has been a key for Michigan’s No. 1-ranked defense which is allowing 225.8 yards and 5.9 points per game against. Sainristil leads U-M defensive backs with 18 tackles through eight contests including 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. His three interceptions and seven total pass breakups lead the team and he has returned two interceptions for touchdowns which ties him for the single-season and career lead at Michigan. Semifinalists for the Benarik Award will be announced on Monday, Nov. 13. » Maxwell Football Club Release

Burlsworth Trophy Nominee (Oct. 31) — Tight end Max Bredeson has been recognized as a nominee for the 2023 Burlsworth Trophy, given to the most outstanding player each year who began his career as a walk-on. Bredeson is one of 73 nominees on this year’s list. A high school quarterback, Bredeson is a two-year letterwinner at tight end for the Wolverines who has appeared in 23 games with two career starts. He has seven career receptions for 97 yards including two catches this season, and is a key cog in U-M’s run game as a blocker. Bredeson often lines up in the backfield and is the first man at the point of attack. He is a big reason why Blake Corum is tied for the national lead in rushing touchdowns (13) and why the U-M offense is in the midst of a program-record 11 consecutive games with 30-plus points scored. » Burlsworth Trophy Release

Co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, Manning Award Star of the Week, Davey O’Brien Great Eight (Oct. 23) — Following U-M’s dominant win last weekend, quarterback J.J. McCarthy earned his second consecutive Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honor, this time sharing it with Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. McCarthy was also named to the Davey O’Brien Great Eight list and was one of eight quarterbacks to be named a Manning Star of the Week. McCarthy was 21-of-27 for 287 yards in the win over Michigan State with a career-high four touchdown passes. He connected on seven different passing plays of 20-plus yards, giving U-M an explosive dimension, and helped the Wolverines rack up 28 first downs and 477 yards of total offense. McCarthy moved into a tie for sixth all-time with his 42nd, 43rd, 44th, and 45th career touchdown passes, and he’s No. 10 all-time in pass yards at 5,034. McCarthy is now officially part of the Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2023. Semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 14. » Big Ten Release

2023 Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List (Oct. 19) — Head coach Jim Harbaugh is one of 20 coaches to be named to the 2023 Dodd Trophy midseason watch list. Harbaugh has led the Wolverines to a No. 2 ranking in both major polls to go along with a 7-0 start to the season. U-M has won 22 consecutive regular-season games and in 2023 is the only team in the FBS to win all seven of its games by 20-plus points. This year’s Wolverines are the first Big Ten team to hold their first seven opponents of the season under 14 points while scoring at least 30 points since Maryland in 1905. U-M has scored 30-plus in 10 straight, a program record, and no team has scored more than one touchdown on the Wolverines this season. The winner of the Dodd Trophy presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta, Georgia, during the week of the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. » Dodd Trophy Release

Wuerffel Trophy Nominee (Oct. 19) — Running back Blake Corum has been named a nominee for the Wuerffel Trophy, presented annually to the FBS player who combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field. Corum, who has also been named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award, has made “Football is my passion, but giving back is my purpose,” his mantra. He has demonstrated that with incredible generosity during his time as a Wolverine. Through NIL earnings, he has generously contributed money and many hours of his time to bettering the Ann Arbor campus community and the nearby areas of Ypsilanti and Detroit, Mich., in addition to his hometown in Virginia. Whether he is organizing a meal drive or a toy drive, finding time to read to kids, purchasing back-to-school materials for a community in need, or literally providing food to his neighbors, Corum is committed to making a difference. » Wuerffel Trophy Release

Midseason All-Americans (Oct. 18) — Senior running back Blake Corum has been recognized as a second-team midseason All-American by the Associated Press. Corum is the NCAA leader in rushing touchdowns (12) with 546 rushing yards on 96 attempts (5.7 yards per rush), and he has also caught six passes for 43 yards. Corum recently became the 10th player in U-M history to eclipse 3,000 career yards rushing and his 43 career rushing touchdowns rank third all-time. He has been a big reason why the U-M offense has produced 10 straight games of 30-plus points, the longest streak in program history. With Corum pacing the offense, U-M ranks 10th in scoring with 39.4 points per game and is the only FBS team to win all seven of its games by 20-plus points this season.

Graduate student defensive back Mike Sainristil has been recognized as an honorable mention midseason All-American by ESPN. Sainristil helps lead a pass defense that ranks second in yards allowed (142.1 per game) and sixth with nine interceptions to only three passing touchdowns against. U-M is the No. 1 defense in scoring defense (6.7 points against per game) and is second in total defense (233.1 yards per game allowed). Sainristil is the co-leader in interceptions (two) and pass breakups and leads the secondary with 16 tackles (nine solo) through seven contests. He has added 2.5 tackles for loss with one sack, and hurried the quarterback twice.

Senior captain offensive lineman Zak Zinter has been recognized as a midseason All-American by three outlets. Zinter has been named to the first team by the Associated Press and ESPN. The Sporting News only publishes one team for its midseason honors. A consensus All-Big Ten first-team pick in 2022, Zinter has been a reliable force for the Wolverines on offense this season. He has helped the offense average 39.4 points per game (10th, NCAA) while supporting the NCAA’s leader in rushing touchdowns (Blake Corum, 12) and co-leader in receiving touchdowns (Roman Wilson, nine). Zinter has been charged with one pressure allowed in 168 pass-blocking snaps. As a unit, the offensive line has permitted only one sack and an average of 2.71 tackles for loss per game. U-M averages 0.643 points per play on offense and 0.3 punts per possession, both best in the Big Ten and top-four nationally. » Sporting News Release

Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Semifinalist (Oct. 18) — Blake Corum has been chosen as one of 20 semifinalists for the 2023 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year. Corum says “Football is my passion, but giving back is my purpose.” He has put that mantra into action during his decorated career at U-M as a unanimous All-American, Academic All-District honoree and team captain with an unmatched work ethic on the field and in the community. Michigan fans have come to know Corum not just for his efforts in a winged helmet, but as an individual committed to bettering his community with his own time, money and effort. Corum has dedicated countless hours to feeding, clothing, educating and providing opportunities for folks in nearby Ypsilanti and Detroit, Mich., the local Ann Arbor community and near his home in Virginia. The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award is presented annually to the FBS college football player who has demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity, and sportsmanship both on and off the field. Finalists will be recognized in December. » Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Release

Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll (Oct. 17) — Michigan is defending back-to-back titles of the Joe Moore Award, presented to the best offensive line in college football, and the Wolverines have landed on the award’s Midseason Honor Roll again in 2023. Starters Trevor Keegan, Drake Nugent, Zak Zinter (seven starts), Myles Hinton (four starts), and LaDarius Henderson (three starts) have formed a unit that has allowed only seven sacks in seven games and averages 2.71 tackles for loss allowed per game, the second-lowest rate in the nation. The offense averages 39.4 points per game for the No. 10 scoring offense in the country with 413.9 yards per game and 6.9 yards per play (17th). The run game has produced 18 rushing touchdowns and the offense supports the national leader in rushing touchdowns (Blake Corum, 12) as well as the co-leader in receiving touchdowns (Roman Wilson, nine). » Joe Moore Award Release

2023 Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Coach of the Year Award Watch List (Oct. 17) — Head coach Jim Harbaugh is one of 26 coaches to be named to the 2023 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch List, the organization announced. Harbaugh has led the Wolverines to a No. 2 ranking in both major polls to go along with a 7-0 start to the season. U-M has won 22 consecutive regular-season games and in 2023 is the only team in the FBS to win all seven of its games by 20-plus points. This year’s Wolverines are the first Big Ten team to hold their first seven opponents of the season under 14 points while scoring at least 30 points since Maryland in 1905. U-M has scored 30-plus in 10 straight, a program record, and no team has scored more than one touchdown on the Wolverines this season. The Paul “Bear” Bryant College Football Coach of the Year Award has been given annually since 1986 to NCAA college football’s national coach of the year. The winner will be named in January. » Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Release

Rotary Lombardi Watch List (Oct. 17) — Defensive lineman Mason Graham has been added to the midseason watch list for the Rotary Lombardi Award, it was announced. Graham, who missed two games this season with an injury, has compiled 18 tackles in five contests including four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He has also added one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Graham set career highs at Minnesota in his first game back in action, totaling six tackles with two for loss including a sack, and recovered a fumble against Indiana that he returned 12 yards. He is part of a defense that has held each of its seven opponents under 10 points, the first team to accomplish that since 1981 Clemson. Graham joins four Wolverine teammates who were named to the preseason edition of the watch list: linebacker Junior Colson, defensive lineman Kris Jenkins, center Drake Nugent and guard Zak Zinter. » Rotary Lombardi Award Release

Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 16) — Quarterback J.J. McCarthy earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors following U-M’s victory over Indiana last weekend. McCarthy was 14-of-17 passing for 222 yards with three touchdown passes and added 27 yards rushing while he led six consecutive scoring drives for the Wolverines (five touchdowns, one field goal). McCarthy distributed to eight different receivers in the game and threw touchdowns to three different pass-catchers. Through seven games, McCarthy has led the offense to average 39.4 points per game (10th, NCAA). He has 14 touchdown passes and three rushing touchdowns and leads the Big Ten in total QBR (92.6, first, NCAA) pass efficiency (195.9, second, NCAA), and yards per attempt (10.65, third, NCAA). » Big Ten Release

Reese’s Senior Bowl Midseason All-American Team (Oct. 11) — The midseason All-America team for the Reese’s Senior Bowl was released and two Wolverines — wide receiver Roman Wilson and defensive back Mike Sainristil — were named to the squad. Wilson has eight receiving touchdowns through the first six weeks of the season, two off the national lead and the most by a U-M pass catcher since 2018. He leads the Big Ten in yards per route run (3.78) while helping U-M rank 17th in points per game (37.3). Sainristil is enjoying success on the defensive side of the ball with a team-leading two interceptions and 11 tackles, the second-most by any U-M defensive back. Sainristil has two tackles for loss and a sack to go with his three total pass breakups. He has been an integral part of a defense allowing 6.7 points per game (the lowest average in the NCAA) and a secondary that has seven interceptions and three interceptions returned for touchdowns against just one passing touchdown allowed this season. No team has run a play in a goal-to-go situation against Michigan this season. The Reese’s Senior Bowl Midseason All-America team is chosen from the best-of-the-best in college football that are eligible for the 2024 Senior Bowl. » Senior Bowl Release

2023 College Football Comeback Player of the Year Watch List (Oct. 11) — Running back Blake Corum has been added to the watch list for the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year Award in College Football. In the midst of a historic campaign last year, Corum suffered a lower-body injury against Illinois near the end of the regular season (Nov. 19). The injury caused him to miss U-M’s Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff run. Now back to full strength, Corum is carrying the rushing load again for the Wolverines this fall with 83 carries for 494 yards (6.0 yards per carry) through six games. He is tied for the national lead in rushing touchdowns (10) and has been the biggest producer so far in Michigan’s No. 17-ranked scoring offense that has scored 30-plus points in every game this year. Corum is pushing his way into the Michigan record books as he approaches 3,000 career yards rushing. He is one of seven Big Ten athletes named to this year’s watch list. Aidan Hutchinson was named one of the recipients in 2021 when the award was the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award. The award was first distributed in 2018 and often features multiple winners.

Lott IMPACT Trophy Quarterfinalist (Oct. 6) — Linebacker Junior Colson has been named by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation as one of 16 quarterfinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, now in its 20th year. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, Tenacity. Colson is the leading tackler (11-13—24) on the nation’s top scoring defense (6.0 points per game). He has helped the Wolverines limit opponents to 57 total first downs allowed, second-fewest in the nation while forcing opposing possessions to end in three plays or fewer 41.4 percent of the time. Semifinalists will be chosen in late November and four finalists will be named in December. The award will be presented Dec. 10 in Newport Beach, Calif. » Lott IMPACT Trophy Release

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Top 25 (Oct. 3) — Quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 25 list. McCarthy has led U-M to a 5-0 start behind the nation’s No. 3 completion percentage (79 percent), the No. 5 pass-efficiency rating (191.6), and the No. 11 rank in yards per pass attempt (10.34). McCarthy leads the Big Ten in all three categories. He is 83-of-105 passing for 1,086 yards on the season with 10 passing touchdowns (second, Big Ten) and another on the ground. Eight of his passing scores have been to Roman Wilson, who tied for the national leader in touchdown catches. McCarthy has led U-M to a 59.6 percent scoring rate (points in 105 of 175 possessions) with a 17-1 record in his 18 career starts. » Golden Arm Foundation Relase

Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 2) — Following his performance in the win at Nebraska last weekend, U-M edge defender Josaiah Stewart was named co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week by the conference, sharing the honor with Iowa linebacker Nick Jackson. Stewart recorded five tackles including two sacks in Lincoln, marking the first sacks of his Michigan career and his first time leading the defense in tackles. Stewart helped fuel a defensive effort that limited Nebraska’s No. 1 national rushing attack (234.8 yards per game) to 106 total yards, 74 of which came on one play. Nebraska’s late score prevented what would have been the first shutout forced in Lincoln since 1968. This marks Stewart’s first career Big Ten honor and the first by any Wolverine this season. » Big Ten Release

William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist (Sept. 27) — Offensive lineman Zak Zinter was named one of 201 semifinalists for the 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy. Now in its 34th year, the award recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. The NFF Will announce 12-15 finalists on Oct. 25, and each will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2023 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. One winner will be chosen later this year and will have his postgraduate scholarship raised to $25,000 during the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 5 at the ARIA Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. A 2022 second-team CSC Academic All-American, Zinter has collected two Academic All-Big Ten honors while pursuing his degree in sport management. The two-time All-Big Ten guard has been part of two Joe Moore Award-winning offensive lines (2021-22), the first back-to-back winner in history, and was a preseason All-American by the Associated Press and Sporting News ahead of the 2023 season. Zinter has made 35 career starts and through two games, he has helped the U-M offensive line allow the fewest tackles for loss (nine) in the country while propping up the NCAA co-leader in rushing touchdowns (Blake Corum, eight). » National Football Foundation Release

Ray Guy Award Ray’s 8 (Sept. 18) — Punter Tommy Doman was honored as one of Ray’s Eight by the Ray Guy Award for his performance in the Wolverines’ victory over Bowling Green. Doman punted three times for 139 yards in the game for a 46.3-yard average. That included his new career-long punt of 53 yards. Two of the three attempts pinned BGSU inside its own 20-yard line. Doman’s deep kicks and solid coverage from the punt coverage unit combined to allow no yards on the two punts that were returned; the unit also forced one fair catch. Doman also kicked off five times, delivering five touchbacks, to assist in the field position battle for the U-M defense.

Allstate AFCA Good Works Team (Sept. 12) — Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced the roster for the 32nd annual Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and University of Michigan Michigan running back Blake Corum is among 22 college football student-athletes recognized for their outstanding contributions to their communities. “Football is my passion, but giving back is my purpose,” Corum said. He has put that mantra into action during his career at U-M with notable community involvement including annual events like his Giving Back 2 Give Thanks turkey and Thanksgiving meal drive in Ypsilanti, Mich., and his BC2 Football Camp near his hometown in Virginia. Other partnerships Corum has engaged with include Christmas toy drives with the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL), involvement with The Uniform Funding Foundation (TUFF), and a back-to-school supplies giveaway event with Community Leadership Revolution (CLR) Academy, among others. The final Allstate AFCA Good Works Team roster was chosen from a list of 136 nominees initially announced in July, and includes 11 student-athletes from the FBS level, and another 11 from the FCS, Divisions II-III, and NAIA levels. The entire 2023 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team will be honored later this year in New Orleans, La., at the Allstate Sugar Bowl (CFP Semifinal) on Jan. 1. Corum is the fourth Wolverine to receive this distinction since it was introduced in 1992, joining Zoltan Mesko (2009), Patrick Omameh (2012), and Adam Shibley (2020). » Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

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