Michigan football sets program record with 13 selections in 2024 draft class

Michigan, coming off the 2023 national championship, set a program record with 13 players selected in the three-day NFL Draft held in Detroit with a late flurry in the seventh and final round.

The previous program record was 11 set in 2017, and this is the fifth time Michigan had 10 or more players selected. The Wolverines, who sent a record 18 players to the NFL Combine, fell short of the NFL Draft record of 15 set by then-national champion Georgia in 2022.

Tight end AJ Barner was the first pick of Day 3 on Saturday and went No. 121 overall to Seattle. Guard Trevor Keegan was chosen in the fifth round, No. 172 overall, by Philadelphia, but the Wolverines did not have a player chosen in the sixth round.

Four players were taken late in the seventh round, starting off with linebacker Michael Barrett, who was taken 240th overall by Carolina. Nine picks later, the Houston Texans took offensive tackle LaDarius Henderson. Edge Jaylen Harrell went to the Tennessee Titans (No. 252) and wide receiver Cornelius Johnson (No. 253) was drafted by former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers.

Center Drake Nugent, who transferred from Stanford before the 2023 season, signed with San Francisco, offensive tackle Trente Jones signed with the Packers, edge Braiden McGregor is signing with the Jets as free agents, according to ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler, and Michigan confirmed on social media that defensive back Josh Wallace signed with the Rams. Offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart signed with the Chargers and will rejoin Harbaugh, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy got things started in the first round on Thursday night, when he was selected by Minnesota with the 10th overall pick. On Friday, Michigan had six players drafted during the second and third rounds.

The 6-foot-6, 251-pound Barner transferred to Michigan before the 2023 season from Indiana, where he was a captain and made eight starts in 2022. He caught 28 receptions for 199 yards with three touchdowns that season. At Michigan last year, he had 22 catches for 249 yards and a touchdown while playing alongside marquee tight end Colston Loveland.

At the NFL Combine, Barner said he became a complete tight end during his time at Michigan.

“Over my time in college, I was able to develop and I think it’ll make for an easier transition to the NFL,” Barner said. “It is going to be a major challenge playing on Sunday, but I think the technique I’ve learned and what I’ve been able to do in college will help me translate.”

He made the move to Michigan to learn every aspect of playing the position.

“I’m super fortunate for everything that I’ve gone through in my journey and I feel like I’m not even reaching my potential yet,” Barner said. “I have so much room to grow into and I’m only 21 years old. I had to transfer from Indiana to Michigan, take a road less traveled. I think my best days are ahead of me.”

Keegan made 37 starts for the Wolverines and was a captain last season. The 6-foot-6, 320-pounder was a three-time All-Big Ten selection and started on Joe Moore Award-winning offensive lines in 2021 and 2022.

Barrett, a captain last season, was two-time All-Big Ten third team and played a school-record 64 games during his career and last season was second on the team with 65 tackles. Henderson (6-4, 315) transferred from Arizona State before the 2023 season and was All-Big Ten first team. He made 10 starts at left tackle for the Wolverines.

Harrell, called a "tone setter" by Harbaugh last season, made 30 career starts and last season had nine tackles for loss including 6 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass breakup. Johnson made 46 career starts and last season had 47 catches for 604 yards and a touchdown.

achengelis@detroitnews.com

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