With week three of the NFL in the books, it’s time to check in on how the 28 former Wolverines from the Jim Harbaugh era are currently faring in the NFL.
The Harbaugh era began in 2015, and will resume on October 24 of this year with a road game at Minnesota.
While Michigan fans still have almost a month to go until they join in on the college football action this year, many are keeping tabs on former Wolverines in the NFL, and there’s a lot to watch, including the ascent of Chase Winovich as a playmaker in New England, the rise of a trio of talented former Michigan defensive ends in Kansas City, and several young players waiting their turn while seeing spot action and making their presence felt.
Currently, there are 35 former Michigan players on NFL rosters according to ESPN.com, ranging from six-time Super Bowl Champion and Lloyd Carr era starting quarterback Tom Brady to former Harbaugh-era standouts like Devin Bush, Chase Winovich and Rashan Gary.
Here’s how the 28 Harbaugh-era standouts faring in today’s NFL, updated for week three:
Harbaugh-Era Former Michigan Players in the 2020 NFL
1. Ben Bredeson, Baltimore Ravens, Guard-
Bredeson, a hulking offensive lineman who converted from tackle to guard at Michigan, has yet to play for the Ravens thus far in 2020.
2. Devin Bush, Pittsburgh Steelers, Linebacker-
The former superstar Michigan linebacker led the team and all NFL rookies in tackles (109) and solo tackles (72) last year. Bush is the only Steelers rookie to ever surpass 100 tackles. He has 18 tackles through two games so far this season along with three passes defensed.
His career is off to an incredible start, as most who watched him in Ann Arbor expected would happen.
3. Jake Butt, Denver Broncos, Tight End-
Butt, who won the Mackey Award for college football’s best tight end in 2016, caught a pass for five yards in week three from Jeff Driskell. It’s been an impressive comeback for the injury-stricken tight end.
4. Taco Charlton, Kansas City Chiefs, Defensive End-
Charlton had a half-sack late in the Chiefs’ win over the Ravens last night, as part of a unit featuring three former Michigan defensive linemen. The unit has four sacks through three weeks for the 3-0 Chiefs.
5. Mason Cole, Arizona Cardinals, Center-
Cole played against the Lions on Sunday in a losing effort, although he did not start.
6. Mike Danna, Kansas City Chiefs, Defensive End-
The Central Michigan star turned Wolverine in 2019 notched his first sack in week two, and had one tackle in week three while playing alongside fellow former Wolverine Frank Clark.
7. Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers, Linebacker-
Gary, still a work in progress, was the #12 overall pick in 2019. He had a breakout game against the Detroit Lions in week two, and was solid in week three despite an ankle injury, drawing double teams while recording one assisted tackle.
8. Zach Gentry, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tight End-
The 6-foot-8 former high school quarterback has yet to play so far in 2020.
9. Jordan Glasgow, Indianapolis Colts, Linebacker-
Glasgow played more special teams snaps than anybody on the Colts in week three, and made one solo tackle.
10. Graham Glasgow, Denver Broncos, Center-
The former Michigan center and former Detroit Lion has started three games for his current team. He has played well for a struggling offensive line unit that he said will get better in time, as it is still a young group.
11. Lano Hill, Seattle Seahawks, Safety-
The defensive back formerly known as Delano Hill has managed to stick with Pete Carroll’s team for his entire career. He has eight solo tackles so far in 2020, but did not record one in week three.
12. Khaleke Hudson, Washington Football Team, Linebacker-
A mercurial talent who never quite lived up to his potential at Michigan, Hudson appeared on the team’s two-deep depth chart again in week three, but did not record a tackle against the Browns.
13. Maurice Hurst, Las Vegas Raiders, Defensive Tackle-
The explosive former Michigan defensive tackle is still just 25 years old. He had 3.5 sacks last year for the Raiders, and had a vintage, dominating performance this week with the Raiders while going up against fellow former Wolverine Michael Onwenu at times.
Hurst finished Sunday’s game with four solo tackles and one assisted tackle, but brought his trademark pressure up the middle while also chasing down screen passes.
14. Jourdan Lewis, Dallas Cowboys, Cornerback-
The former third-round pick had three solo tackles, including two for loss, with one pass defended against the Seahawks this past weekend.
15. David Long, Jr., Los Angeles Rams, Cornerback-
Long, a former third-round pick, has played in three games so far as a backup this season, recording two tackles.
16. Sean McKeon, Dallas Cowboys, Tight End-
An undrafted free agent rookie, McKeon has played in two games with no catches thus far.
17. Josh Metellus, Minnesota Vikings, Safety-
Selected in the sixth round, the playmaking former Michigan safety and rookie has seen the field in two games so far without recording a tackle.
18. Bryan Mone, Seattle Seahawks, Defensive Tackle-
An undrafted free agent, Mone has bulked up to 366 pounds, and has made key plays for the Seahawks so far this year. Mone had two tackles, one tackle for loss, and a safety he secured after pushing Dallas lineman Joe Looney into Ezekiel Elliott.
19. Mike Onwenu, New England Patriots, Guard-
Another sixth-round pick, the Detroit product by way of Ann Arbor has started in three games already for the Patriots. New England averaged 6.6 yards per carry this past weekend, and the Michigan rookie was a big part of it.
20. Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns, Wide Receiver-
Peoples-Jones has drawn positive camp reviews, but has had an uneven start to his career thus far. He is expected to be used more as a return guy than a receiver, and could be activated for next week as the Browns’ primary kick returner after starter JoJo Natson went down with a torn ACL this past week.
21. Jabrill Peppers, New York Giants, Safety-
Still just 24 years old, Peppers was named a special teams captain this year for the Giants. He had two tackles in Sunday’s loss to the 49ers but exited the game with a lower ankle injury. His status is now day-to-day according to Giants coach Joe Judge.
22. Cesar Ruiz, New Orleans Saints, Center-
A first round pick this past year, Ruiz has been working at both center and guard. He played against the Packers, but did not start, as he has been working his way back from injuries.
23. Jon Runyan, Green Bay Packers, Guard-
A backup guard and #192 overall pick, the rookie lineman has not started, but has played in all three of Green Bay’s wins this season including Sunday’s against the Saints.
24. Dymonte Thomas, Denver Broncos, Safety-
An undrafted free agent when he came into the league, Thomas began rising rapidly within the Broncos organization and had some stellar moments on the field. But a serious knee injury derailed his season in 2019, and he is now a free agent.
25. Josh Uche, New England Patriots, Linebacker-
A second-round pick this past season, Uche has yet to play for Bill Belichick’s squad and was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury this week.
Despite what could be a lost season, Uche showed plenty of talent and could be a major factor in the Patriots defense going forward.
26. Brandon Watson, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cornerback-
Signed as an undrafted rookie in 2019, Watson has played in 11 games so far for the Jaguars. He had two assisted tackles in a loss to the Dolphins this past Thursday.
27. Chase Winovich, New England Patriots, Defensive End-
Drafted in the third round in 2019, Winovich had two solo tackles and one tackle for loss, as well as a strip-sack in the first half on Raiders QB Derek Carr.
28. Chris Wormley, Pittsburgh Steelers, Defensive End-
A former third-round pick, Wormley has been a solid contributor so far during his time in the league. Wormley had one tackle this past Sunday and has been a quality contributor on a stout Pittsburgh defense.
