Returning is a crucial component for Michigan’s secondary.
The official announcement on Monday night that safety Makari Paige will return to Ann Arbor for the upcoming season brought more good news for the Michigan Wolverines.
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January 15, 2024 — 7 (@makaripaige)
As a four-star recruit from West Bloomfield who attended the same high school as Michigan running back Donovan Edwards and just so happened to wear the same number in college, Paige committed to Michigan in 2019.
He quickly ascended Michigan’s depth chart. Paige has made 32 appearances overall, 26 of which have come in the last few seasons. He has racked up 90 total tackles over the course of four seasons, along with one interception, five pass deflections, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one fumble recovery. He has played a crucial role in Michigan’s secondary over the past two years in particular.
Paige received honorable mentions in 2022 and 2023 before being selected twice for the All-Big Ten team. Among the several notable standout performances are:
-Making six tackles and recovering a fumble in the previous season’s victory over Penn State
-Making four tackles and intercepting C.J. Stroud in the final minutes of Ohio State’s 2022 victory
Makari Paige: six stops and a recovery of a fumble
Rayshaun Benny : 3 tackles, 1 for loss & a forced fumble pic.
@GKAoysaQvM on Twitter— Lee Harvey, November 11, 2023 (@MusikFan4Life)
Paige’s counting stats, however, don’t really do him credit because Michigan supporters are aware of his significance to the team’s recent success. With Paige playing with Josh Wallace, Mike Sainristil, Will Johnson, and safeties Rod Moore and Keon Sabb, Michigan had a solid secondary in 2023 that could be counted on to produce, especially in crucial moments.
Paige, who is now officially running back, will be a valuable addition to the secondary in 2024, along with standout cornerback Will Johnson and safeties Rod Moore and Keon Sabb.
