As the NFL regular season barrels toward its final stretch, a number of former Michigan Wolverines are making their presence felt in a big way across the league. From breakout performances to steady production, these Pro Blue standouts are showing up when it matters most - just weeks before the postseason begins.
Let’s dive into some of the top performances from the holiday weekend, starting with a pair of Wolverines helping power the NFC’s top team.
Charbonnet, Barner Find the End Zone in Seahawks Win
Seattle is surging under second-year head coach Mike Macdonald, and two of his former Michigan players played key roles in the Seahawks’ latest victory over Carolina.
Running back Zach Charbonnet put together his best outing of the season, rushing for a season-high 110 yards and punching in two touchdowns. Charbonnet ran with purpose and vision, consistently finding daylight and finishing runs with authority - the kind of performance that reminds you why he was such a reliable workhorse in Ann Arbor.
Tight end AJ Barner also got in on the scoring, hauling in a touchdown late in the third quarter while adding 43 receiving yards on three catches. Barner continues to make the most of his opportunities, and it’s paying off - his 75.2 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus ranks just outside the top 10 among qualifying tight ends, signaling a player on the rise heading into next season.
On the defensive side, Mike Morris chipped in with two tackles, including one for loss, showing flashes of the disruptive potential that made him a key piece on Michigan’s defensive front during his college days.
More Notable Pro Blue Performances
- Colston Loveland matched his season-high with six receptions in a Sunday night shootout against the 49ers, totaling 94 yards and a touchdown. His ability to stretch the field and work the seams continues to make him a valuable target in the passing game.
- Aidan Hutchinson added two more sacks on Christmas Day against the Vikings, bringing his season total to 13.5. It marked his third multi-sack game of the year, and once again, he was a constant presence in the backfield - a relentless force off the edge who’s closing the season strong.
- In the Cowboys’ Christmas Day win, tight end Luke Schoonmaker contributed with two catches for 15 yards. On the other side of the ball, Mike Sainristil made his mark for Washington with six tackles and a pass defensed, while kicker Jake Moody stayed perfect on the day, drilling all three of his field goal attempts, including a 51-yarder.
- Nico Collins turned in a solid performance in the Texans’ win over the Chargers, catching three passes for 57 yards. Collins continues to be a reliable weapon in Houston’s passing attack, providing big-play potential every time he’s targeted.
- In Baltimore’s win over Green Bay, David Ojabo and Rashan Gary each recorded a tackle, with Gary also registering a quarterback hit. Both defenders are carving out roles as rotational impact players, especially in pressure situations.
- Dax Hill, now playing more cornerback than safety for the Bengals, recorded a tackle in their win over Arizona. His coverage has been impressive in recent weeks - he’s posted one of the highest cornerback grades in the league over the last five games, a testament to his versatility and athleticism.
- In that same game, Cardinals rookie Will Johnson notched four tackles, continuing to gain valuable reps as part of Arizona’s young secondary.
- Devin Bush led the Browns with nine tackles - five of them solo - and added a tackle for loss in a gritty win over Pittsburgh. It was a throwback performance for the former Michigan linebacker, who looked instinctive and aggressive from sideline to sideline.
From rising stars to established pros, Michigan alumni are making their mark all over the NFL landscape. As the playoffs draw near, don’t be surprised if more Wolverines step into the spotlight - because based on this past weekend, they’re already heating up.