Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers selected Michigan linebacker Junior Colson in the 2024 NFL draft.
Michigan linebacker Junior Colson, largely regarded as one of the greatest at his position in the 2024 NFL Draft, was selected with the 69th overall choice. He will rejoin his former coaches, Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter, with the Los Angeles Chargers. Colson is the fourth Michigan player off the board, behind J.J. McCarthy, Kris Jenkins, and Mike Sainristil. He’s the first Wolverine player to join Harbaugh in Los Angeles.
Colson played numerous games for the Wolverines as a true freshman in 2021, and he continued to play in the second and third Big Ten championship games. Despite playing the final game of the 2023 season with a club in one hand and a wrap on the other, Colson helped lead the best defense in college football to an undefeated national championship.
Some consider Colson to be the best linebacker in this year’s NFL Draft class, and he produced tremendously during his two seasons as a full-time starter at Michigan. He led the Wolverines in tackles both years, by a large margin, and missed only five tackles in 662 defensive snaps in 2023. Colson also demonstrated versatility with 120 snaps on the defensive line or in the slot last year, according to PFF, and was a leader on a Michigan defense that was perhaps the best in the nation. He boasts high-level athleticism and a frame that are ideal for the NFL.
When he correctly analyzes plays, Colson possesses the quickness to get to the point of attack, as well as the size and toughness to make the tackle. Even when called upon as a freshman, Colson exhibited his ability to get to his position quickly, despite the fact that he clearly needed more time to master the complexities of the defense.
Prior to bowl games, Colson led the Big Ten and was second among 172 power-five linebackers in missed tackle rate (three on 82 opportunities), according to Pro Football Focus. He also improved his coverage (6.3 yards per target allowed) and run defense. Colson topped it off with two strong efforts in the College Football Playoff.
According to Dane Brugler of The Athletic, “He has an excellent batting average as a tackler — and I only need one hand to count the missed tackles I charted from his 2023 tape.” Overall, Colson’s physicality downhill, athleticism in space, and iron-man toughness that he brings to practice every day make him a strong candidate at the next level. He projects to be an NFL starting MIKE early in his career.” PFF states, “He has the size and football IQ to play in the NFL. He’s a good but not spectacular athlete who will most likely be drafted on Day 2 as a rotational 4-3 linebacker with starter potential.
Michigan intends to establish an NFL Draft record by selecting at least 15 players this year, in an event held within an hour of the Big House.
“I think there’s an outside chance for, I would say 17 is the number,” NFL Draft analyst Joel Klatt said this week. “This is what I’m wondering: Is Jim Harbaugh going to stock up on 7th-round picks in trades only to set the record? Is that possible? I’m obviously being facetious, but I believe there are 17 men that have a legitimate shot. “I believe that the late rounds, particularly the sixth and seventh rounds, as well as the fifth round, will see a large number of Wolverines stolen. They were really deep. “All of their ‘role players’ were draftable players.”