Michigan finished 9-4, ranked 18th in the final AP Poll in 2019 and has yet to play in the Big Ten Championship Game after five seasons with Jim Harbaugh as head coach.
Nonetheless, the Wolverines had 10 players selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Only LSU (14) had more. Michigan tied for second with Ohio State.
These are 3 things the 2020 NFL Draft revealed about Michigan’s football program.
- Quarterback is just about everything. Michigan’s Shea Patterson wasn’t drafted, and as of Thursday morning hadn’t signed a free agent contract. LSU’s Joe Burrow was selected first overall. Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence likely will be in 2021. It’s no coincidence they met in the College Football Playoff title game. The other CFP teams also had high-end QBs. The Eagles drafted Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts in the second round. Ohio State’s Justin Fields is extremely gifted, a likely Top 5 pick in ‘21. One of its current QBs, Dylan McCafferty or Joe Milton, must move into a similar realm or Michigan will likely remain in a rut.
- Harbaugh can recruit. These were his players. Michigan only had more players picked in the 2017 Draft (11). It suggested his predecessor, Brady Hoke, could recruit, too. You have to make the most of the talent, though. While Harbaugh has been better than Hoke in that regard, it hasn’t translated during Michigan’s biggest games against similarly talented teams.
- Ohio State and LSU dominated the early rounds with big-time playmakers. Michigan has made needed progress developing offensive linemen, which was reflected by Cesar Ruiz in the first round. However, LSU had four first-rounders, and six players within the first 61 picks. OSU’s Chase Young and Jeff Okudah were two of the first three overall selections.
The bottom line: While the 2020 NFL Draft explains why Harbaugh has a good record at Michigan (47-18 overall, 32-12 Big Ten), it also reflects why the Wolverines have yet gain elite status during his tenure.
