Is Makari Paige going to the NFL? Michigan DB clarifies plans for 2024

Makari Paige clarified his plans for 2024 on Monday evening.

Paige was eligible to return to Michigan for his final season, but he also could have declared for the NFL Draft. Paige was projected to be a late-round pick but he revealed on social media on Monday that he will be returning to Michigan for his fifth season.

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Paige recorded 41 tackles and two passes defenses last season with the Wolverines but will now have a bigger role in 2024.

After Michigan won the national championship, several players decided to enter the NFL Draft citing finished business at college, but Paige decided to return for his fifth season to try and boost his draft stock.

In his career at Michigan, Paige has recorded 90 tackles, four pass defenses, one interception and one sack.

Michigan Wolverines' 2024 season

The Michigan Wolverines will have a different-looking team in 2024, as star players such as J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum, Zak Zinter, Kris Jenkins and Junior Colson have all entered the draft among others.

"After three incredible years at the University of Michigan, I have decided to enter the 2024 NFL draft," McCarthy wrote in a statement shared on social media.

"I have talked to many in and out of football, including my family, Coach [Jim] Harbaugh, and many whose opinions I greatly admire and respect. The decision was not easy and how could it be -- I love my teammates. I love my coaches and I love it here in Ann Arbor."

Meanwhile, head coach Jim Harbaugh is reportedly interviewing with NFL teams, so the Wolverines may need a new head coach next season.

Despite all the players leaving, Michigan is still expected to make the expanded college football playoffs next season.

The Wolverines, however, will have a more difficult schedule in 2024, due to the Big Ten expansion.

Aug. 31: vs. Fresno State
Sept. 7: vs. Texas
Sept. 14: vs. Ark. State
Sept. 21: vs. USC
Sept. 28: vs. Minnesota
Oct. 5: at Washington
Oct. 12: Idle
Oct. 19: at Illinois
Oct. 26: vs. Michigan State
Nov. 2: vs. Oregon
Nov. 9: at Indiana
Nov. 16: Bye Week
Nov. 23: vs. Northwestern
Nov. 30: at Ohio State
Dec. 7: Big Ten Championship

About the author

Cole is an NHL, NFL and College Sports reporter at Sportskeeda with over 7 years of experience writing for publications like CBC, USA Today, SMG, BJPENN, Sherdog and SB Nation.

An NHL fan his whole life, Cole played rep hockey in Canada from age 5 until 17 and grew up rooting for Martin St. Louis and the Tampa Bay Lightning. His all-time favorite players are Vincent Lecavalier and Steven Stamkos, while Jon Cooper is his favorite coach of all time.

Cole attended Sheridan College and received his journalism degree in 2019. After decades of watching and reporting, he considers his knowledge of sports as his primary strength. He ensures that the same story has been reported by at least two reputed reporters before creating it.

Cole enjoys playing golf and spending time with friends and family when not reporting breaking stories. His favorite sports moment is from the 2010 Olympics, when Sidney Crosby scored the golden goal in overtime to beat Team USA for the gold medal.

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Edited by Rajdeep Barman