During his junior and senior seasons, 2018 and 2019, he totaled 198 tackles, intercepted four passes, and had eleven pass breakups.[1][2] As a senior, he was named All-State and to the Detroit Free Press: Dream Team.
Paige was one of the top rated safeties in 2020, rated as a four star recruit with offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, and Kentucky. On July 30, 2019, Paige committed to home state school, the University of Michigan. [3][4]
College career
Freshman, sophomore and junior seasons
Paige (#7) in the 45-23 victory versus Ohio State in 2022.
Paige committed to the University of Michigan in July 2019, and enrolled early in January 2020.[5][6][7] As a freshman, during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he appeared in all six games for Michigan, totaling 6 tackles on the season. In 2021, as a sophomore, he appeared in 9 games on special teams and safety.[1][8]
In 2022, Paige overtook RJ Moten mid-season to earn the starting safety position. Paige started 5 games, appearing in 12 games. Paige finished the season with 41 tackles, 1 interception and 1 sack.
Senior season(s)
Prior to the 2023 season, Paige was rated by Pro Football Focus (PFF) at No. 7 among the returning safeties in college football. PFF also rated him as the second-highest graded defender on the Michigan team.[9]
During the 2023 season, Paige started 13 games for the Wolverines, appearing in 14. Paige again totaled 41 tackles, including a forced fumble. Paige helped lead Michigan to three consecutive Big Ten conference titles, and a national championship. [10]
Following the season, Paige announced he would return for a fifth year in 2024. He was named All-Big Ten honorable mention in both 2022 and 2023.
References
^ ab"Makari Paige". University of Michigan. Retrieved September 12, 2023.