Since Jim Harbaugh took over as Michigan’s head coach, he’s sent dozens of players to the NFL. This year, at least three more will follow, with several others still facing tough decisions.
Chase Winovich, Karan Higdon and Rashan Gary are already in the draft pool, while Devin Bush, David Long, Lavert Hill, Josh Metellus, Khaleke Hudson, Zach Gentry and Shea Patterson have not announced decisions.
Some of those players will forego their senior season and some will likely opt to return for one more year in the Maize and Blue. They’re all integral pieces of Michigan’s 10-win season and would be starters again next season.
Harbaugh would like to have them all back, but which player would be the most painful to lose?
Shea Patterson throws a pass over Isaiah Davis during a win over Maryland on Oct. 6,2018, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Michigan is loaded in the quarterback room, but it would still be a huge lift for the offense to have someone under center for two full years.
Harbaugh hasn’t had a true starting quarterback stay for two years. Jake Rudock started in 2015, Wilton Speight started in 2016 and the trio of Speight, John O’Korn and Brandon Peters took snaps in 2017.
Patterson had a strong first season in Harbaugh’s system, completing 65.1 percent of his passes for 2,364 yards, 21 touchdowns and five interceptions. He averaged 8.18 yards per pass attempt.
He was also a major rushing threat, finishing with 268 yards and two touchdowns. Some of the biggest plays of the season were Patterson runs because he picked his spots carefully.
As the former No. 1 overall quarterback recruit in 2016, Patterson has as much raw ability as anybody, but his NFL draft status is unclear. Michigan wouldn’t be in deep trouble if he leaves, but it would love to have him back for continuity.
Linebacker Devin Bush runs down a Maryland ball carrier (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images).
Michigan hasn’t recruited many inside linebackers under Harbaugh, and they certainly don’t have anyone else like Bush.
As the centerpiece of the No. 1 defense in the country, Bush is the versatile player who allowed Don Brown to be so consistently aggressive.
