In 2018, the NCAA made a change to its redshirt rule which allows players to participate in up to 4 games and still maintain redshirt status, preserving another year of eligibility.

At the halfway point of this season, let's take a look at where Michigan's 2022 freshman class fares in terms of games played and who is likely to enter 2023 as a redshirt freshman.

Six games into the season and eight freshmen have played in every game for the Wolverines.
WR Darrius Clemons
DT Mason Graham
DT Kenneth Grant
DB Will Johnson
TE Colston Loveland
EDGE Derrick Moore
EDGE Micah Pollard
LB Jimmy Rolder

Many of the names will not come as surprise with players like Graham, Grant, Johnson, and Moore being major contributors to the defense. Clemons has not seen the action some anticipated, but he has seen the field in each game. Loveland's role has continued to increase with Erick All missing games. Rolder has also seen an increased role with Nikhai Hill-Green still out with an injury and Michigan looking for answers at linebacker.

13 freshmen Wolverines have seen game action but not played in every game this season.

Stokes saw a lot of action early for Michigan, but a fumble against Maryland seems to have him in the long-term dog house. Playing 5 games means he has already exhausted his redshirt. Sabb and Walker have each played 4, meaning any more game action and they would lose their redshirt. Sabb seems likely to see the field again, but Walker may not. Michigan experimented with him at corner at one point, but it feels like unless an injury forces it, they will try to preserve his redshirt.

Morris and Jones are in a similar spot to Walker, it doesn't feel likely for them to burn their redshirt unless an injury forces it. Michigan has special packages designed for Orji, so it is possible they may go to him in two more games, but seems far more likely he will save his redshirt.

The only name from the group with 2 games played that could potentially see more action right now is Deuce Spurlock. Michigan doesn't have a lot of depth at LB and has struggled in different moments. We have seen Jimmy Rolder's playing time go up, so it is possible as Michigan searches for answers Spurlock may get more time.

Three freshmen have seen game action one time and are safe to save their redshirt this season. Berry was a sleeper to see a lot of action this year, but with the strength of Michigan's secondary this season, he won't burn a redshirt. Jayden Denegal played when every quarterback on Michigan's roster saw action against UConn. Unlike Orji, there are no special packages for Denegal. Andrew Gentry hasn't played football in two years, and while people around Michigan have raved about the shape he kept himself in, he will not burn his redshirt this season.

However, he could be a starting tackle next season for Michgian.

Two players have not seen the field once this year for Michigan, DB Damani Dent who is recovering from an injury and OL Alessandro Lorenzetti who is simply buried in a deep OL group.

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