The 2024 season wasn’t what the Michigan football senior class had in mind, but it will go out with one final record.
The 16 four-year scholarship players in the recruiting class of 2021 will end as the winningest football class in the history of Michigan. The group is 45-8 in Ann Arbor with two games yet to play (plus a likely bowl game).
Five of the losses have come this season.
“They mean so much to the program,” head coach Sherrone Moore said Monday. “The record in the last four years — obviously this year not where we want to be — but to have that record is really big. Guys that have really impacted our program in a huge way, in a positive way, and so thankful for them and want to go out on a high note, especially their last game in the Big House.”
TRENDING: Sherrone Moore changes his message for Michigan with must-win vs. Northwestern
Last year, the class of 2020 became the winningest in a four-year stretch, with 42 victories. That has been surpassed by the following group: Donovan Edwards, Giovanni El-Hadi, Rayshaun Benny, Rod Moore, Tavierre Dunlap, TJ Guy, Greg Crippen, Dominick Giudice, Tommy Doman, Ja’Den McBurrows, Jaydon Hood, Ike Iwunnah, Raheem Anderson, Kechaun Bennett, Tristan Bounds and Tyler McLaurin.
Of course, two of the most important members for this year’s team who are in that senior class didn’t begin their careers on scholarship. Former walk-ons Max Bredeson and Davis Warren will both go through their senior days on Saturday (3:30 p.m., FS1) against Northwestern, as will other walk-ons-turned-contributors such as Peyton O’Leary, Keshaun Harris, Joe Taylor and Christian Boivin.
“Guys like that, guys like Breddy made such an impact on the team,” Moore said.
U-M’s recruiting class of 2021 ranked No. 13 overall in the nation by 247 Sports and already has a pair of NFL players — quarterback J.J. McCarthy and linebacker Junior Colson. For those who remain, it’s hard to believe it’s their turn to walk arm-in-arm with their parents in front of more 100,000 people ahead of an impending graduation.
“Man, flew by, definitely a different person than I was four years ago,” Guy said Monday afternoon. “Extremely grateful for the University of Michigan and everybody that I’ve crossed paths with who’ve helped me grow. It’s kind of surreal.
“I don’t think it’s going to hit me probably until I walk on the field with my mom and stuff, that’s going to be a big moment and stuff for our family. But yeah, surreal feeling”
Prior to the most recent era, which was at its pinnacle from 2021-23 when the program went 40-3 overall, defeated Ohio State in three consecutive seasons, won three consecutive Big Ten titles, a Rose Bowl and a national championship, U-M had never won more than 41 games in a four-year stretch (1997-2000).
The group was part of the 2021 team that tied the program record for wins in a year (12), broke the record in 2022 (13), then shattered it in 2023 (15).
The COVID-19 pandemic shortened the 2020 season, which gave all players an extra season of eligibility, and is why U-M has more fifth-year players than usual. That includes captain Makari Paige, Kalel Mullings, Andrew Gentry and Jeff Persi from the class of 2020, and Quinten Johnson from 2019.
Michigan also has several transfers who’ve come in who will go through senior day: Josaiah Stewart, C.J. Charleston, Aamir Hall, Jack Tuttle, Wesley Walker, Josh Priebe, Ricky Johnson and Myles Hinton.
Yes, the rings and hardware in the trophy case have helped players get through this trying season, and are what most in the class say they will remember from their time.
“Yeah,” Guy smiled. “It’s a pretty good résumé.”
Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X @RealTonyGarcia.
Make “Hail Yes!” your go-to Michigan Wolverines podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify).
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football 2024 class to go out with most wins all-time
