Key dates:

• Deadline to declare: Jan. 15, 2024

• Scouting Combine: Feb. 27-March 4, 2024 (Indianapolis)

• NFL Draft: April 25-27, 2024 (Detroit)

Michigan is 13-0 and Big Ten champions for a third straight year, helping propel it to another College Football Playoff appearance. Jim Harbaugh’s team will play Alabama in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1 (5 p.m., ESPN), delaying a decision (and potential departure) for players who choose to enter.

As things stand currently, the Wolverines don’t have a long list of potential first-round picks on the roster. Only quarterback J.J. McCarthy is being considered for that at the moment. That said, it’s possible that a more than a dozen players declare for the NFL draft following the season.

Here’s our early read on the situation, with players listed by eligibility and their ability (or lack thereof) to return.

DEPARTING

• Michael Barrett

• Blake Corum

• Cam Goode

• LaDarius Henderson

• Cornelius Johnson

• Mike Sainristil

• Zak Zinter

These are the Michigan players out of eligibility and/or have indicated plans to leave. Blake Corum is obviously the marquee name here, a two-time Big Ten running back of the year who will receive serious consideration by NFL teams. Same goes for Zak Zinter, who could wind up being one the highest-ranked guards available in the draft. How his broken leg plays into draft preparation remains to be seen, but it could leave him limited come combine time.

Defensive back Mike Sainristil might be the most intriguing of the group. A converted wide receiver, Sainristil has really taken his new role and excelled the last two years, to the point he was named co-defensive player of the year by his teammates this season. Head coach Jim Harbaugh continues to hear from his brother, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, about Sainristil’s rise up the draft boards. How high could he go?

EXPECTED TO DEPART

• Kris Jenkins

• Trevor Keegan

• J.J. McCarthy

• Jack Tuttle

• James Turner

These are the Michigan players we expect to leave but have a lower confidence rating in. They also all have another year of eligibility if they want it, and McCarthy is the most intriguing name on the list because of the wide-ranging opinions on him. Some are calling him the sixth or seventh quarterback in the draft and a fringe first-round prospect, while others — ESPN’s Matt Miller, for example — think he could be a top-10 pick. If there’s strong merit to the latter, McCarthy would be wise to take advantage of the grade and declare for the draft. Of note here: He has yet to commit either way — making it plausible that he’s back in Ann Arbor next year.

We do expect Jenkins to leave. He had a high draft grade last year but elected to return, garnering second and third-team Big Ten honors and All-American status. His ability to bulk up and play well with that added weight should help NFL teams weary about him playing in between positions.

Important to note: Offensive guard Trevor Keegan has another year of eligibility if he wants it, but he weighed the NFL last year and decided to return. We expect him to make the jump this time.

DECISIONS TO MAKE

• AJ Barner

• Karsen Barnhart

• Junior Colson

• Donovan Edwards

• Jaylen Harrell

• Myles Hinton

• Trente Jones

• Braiden McGregor

• Rod Moore

 Drake Nugent

• Makari Paige

• Josaiah Stewart

• Roman Wilson

This is where things get interesting. All of the players listed above are classified as graduate students, seniors or juniors with at least one of eligibility remaining. They could declare for the NFL draft and move on, or elect to return to Michigan for another season.

Many of these guys are weighing multiple factors when it comes time to declare. What’s the NFL draft advisory board telling them in terms of draft grades? How did individual performance match their expectations this season? What’s the draft class look like when it comes to other draft-eligible players at their position? And of course, who else is returning to Michigan in 2024?

Players like Junior Colson (linebacker), Jaylen Harrell (edge rusher), Rod Moore (safety) and Roman Wilson (receiver) have enough play on film over a two-year period to convince an NFL team to draft them. Colson has bulked up and led Michigan in tackles in back-to-back seasons, despite playing through injuries. Harrell has emerged as the best of the Wolverines’ edge-rushing unit. And Wilson, despite being a bit undersized and overlooked, may never see his stock higher.

AJ Barner put in a good year and certainly has the resume and experience to declare. As does graduate student Drake Nugent, who still has another year if he wants it.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group — Donovan Edwards, Myles Hinton, Trente Jones, Braiden McGregor, Makari Paige and Josaiah Stewart especially — stand to benefit most from another year in college.