Pro Football Focus grades, snaps from Michigan’s ReliaQuest Bowl win over Alabama

The Michigan Wolverines wrapped up the 2024 season in style with a gritty 19-13 win over the No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide.

Even without several starters due to opt-outs and draft prep, the Wolverines came out swinging. Jalen Milroe and Alabama’s offense handed over three giveaways in their first 10 plays and Michigan wasted no time, scoring 16 early points. From there, the defense took over, shutting down the Tide to secure the upset.

There’s plenty to unpack, so let’s break it all down using this week’s Pro Football Focus (PFF) data.

Offensive snap counts

Andrew Sprague - 67

Evan Link - 67

Giovanni El-Hadi - 67

Greg Crippen - 67

Josh Priebe - 67

Fredrick Moore - 46

Jordan Marshall - 42

Peyton O’Leary - 40

Semaj Morgan - 39

Marlin Klein - 39

Davis Warren - 39

Max Bredeson - 34

Benjamin Hall - 30

Alex Orji - 28

Hogan Hansen - 21

Kendrick Bell - 21

Channing Goodwin - 18

Joe Taylor - 5

Five best grades (min. 10 snaps played)

Davis Warren - 82.4

Jordan Marshall - 78.7

Fredrick Moore - 71.3

Marlin Klein - 63.4

Andrew Sprague - 63.3

For those keeping a close eye on Michigan’s offensive line, one takeaway from Tuesday was undeniable: Andrew Sprague is a rising star for the Wolverines. Logging 67 snaps against Alabama, Sprague finished the game as one of Michigan’s top-performing offensive players, earning a 63.3 overall grade. His 63.2 run-blocking grade was the highest on the team, helping pave the way for Jordan Marshall’s 100-yard rushing performance and a critical Michigan victory.

As for Marshall, Michigan’s emerging RB1 seized his moment in the spotlight, finishing as the team’s second-highest-graded player with a stellar 78.7 overall. The true freshman showcased his versatility, earning an impressive 80.6 rushing grade and a solid 78.9 pass-blocking grade, proving he’s ready to lead Michigan’s backfield.

Five worst grades

Hogan Hansen - 41.9

Greg Crippen - 44.4

Alex Orji - 46.4

Giovanni El-Hadi - 47.2

Kendrick Bell - 50.1

Surprisingly, Hogan Hansen has been less of a factor than expected since Colston Loveland’s injury against Northwestern. The freshman tight end has logged just two catches over the 61 snaps that he’s played over the last three games and has struggled with less-than-desirable run-blocking grades along the way. These are minor growing pains for Hansen, who is sure to improve as he gains more experience.

Defensive snap counts

Zeke Berry - 63

Quinten Johnson - 55

Aamir Hall - 53

TJ Guy - 52

Wesley Walker - 52

Derrick Moore - 47

Ernest Hausmann - 46

Rayshaun Benny - 44

Trey Pierce - 38

Brandyn Hillman - 37

Cameron Brandt - 35

Jaishawn Barham - 30

Jyaire Hill - 28

Enow Etta - 25

Ike Iwunnah - 21

Mason Curtis - 17

Jimmy Rolder - 16

Jaydon Hood - 13

Jo’Ziah Edmond - 10

Dominic Nichols - 7

Kechaun Bennett - 4

Five Best Grades (min. 10 snaps played)

Wesley Walker - 82.6

Aamir Hall - 78.8

Jyaire Hill - 75.9

Rayshaun Benny - 73.6

Jimmy Rolder - 72.5

Michigan’s secondary has been at its best in the season’s closing weeks, and the ReliaQuest Bowl on Tuesday was no different. Wesley Walker delivered his finest performance as a Wolverine, picking off Jalen Milroe for a pivotal turnover. Walker also led the team with an outstanding 83.9 coverage grade, an 83.5 tackling grade, and an overall defensive grade of 82.6.

Aamir Hall also made his presence felt, forcing a fumble on a blitz that sophomore edge rusher Cameron Brandt recovered. Hall posted the team’s highest pass-rush grade at 82.6 and added an 81.8 tackling grade, joining an elite tackling effort that included Walker (83.5), Ernest Hausmann (82.5), Brandyn Hillman (81.5), and others.

Five Worst Grades

Jaydon Hood - 46.4

Jaishawn Barham - 50.0

Jo’Ziah Edmond - 50.3

Ike Iwunnah - 53.9

Trey Pierce - 54.4

It’s tough to criticize Michigan’s defense for their performance against an Alabama team that featured most of its starters. However, PFF was unforgiving in its evaluations of Trey Pierce, Ike Iwunnah, Jo’Ziah Edmond, and Jaishawn Barham, who all received tackling grades below 30.0. Even so, aside from Pierce and Barham, most of Michigan’s defensive starters earned solid marks this week overall.

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