3 Michigan Wolverines players who are expected to be great but could be busts in 2024 ft. Alex Orji

The Michigan Wolverines won their first national title since 1997 last season. The program, however, faced plenty of turnover following the season as head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter left for the NFL. Moreover, they also had 13 players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, the most of any college football program.

Furthermore, Michigan has remained embattled in controversy throughout the offseason, as they are the subject of multiple NCAA investigations. Despite this, they were the No. 8-ranked team in the nation in the preseason Coaches Poll and are once again expected to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Let's take a look at three Wolverines players who are expected to perform but could fail.

3 Michigan Wolverines that are expected to be great but could be busts in 2024

#1. Alex Orji

Alex Orji joined the Michigan Wolverines in 2022 as a three-star prospect. He has attempted just one pass in his collegiate career, completing it for five yards. He has added 123 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries.

Orji was supposed to become the starting quarterback after J.J. McCarthy left for the NFL. However, with Michigan's season opener just over three weeks away, he hasn't secured the position yet.

If he does become the starting quarterback, it wouldn't be surprising to see him struggle because he will be facing some of the toughest defenses in the nation throughout the season, and he lacks experience as a passer.

#2. Donovan Edwards

Donovan Edwards joined the Michigan Wolverines as a five-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class. He has run for 1,662 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 294 carries in three seasons. Edwards has added 714 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 68 carries.

His production regressed significantly in 2023, as he had nearly half the rushing yards from the previous season on a similar amount of carries. With J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum and Roman Wilson all departing for the NFL, defenses will be more focused on Edwards.

Furthermore, if Alex Orji struggles, he could face plenty of stacked boxes defensively.

#3. Colston Loveland

Colston Loveland joined the Michigan Wolverines as a four-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class. The tight end has recorded 884 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 61 receptions across his two seasons with the program.

While he is expected to be a feature piece of their offense after a breakout 2023 season, if they do not get productive quarterback play, Loveland could fail to take off.