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A Michigan football standout and local product had to wait until after the 2025 NFL Draft to begin his professional football journey.
Makari Paige, a former star at West Bloomfield High School who became a mainstay in the Wolverines' secondary the past five seasons, went undrafted, but has signed as a free agent with the New York Giants, according to the program.
U-M UDFA TRACKER: How many Michigan players have signed as NFL undrafted free agents? A full list
He follows drafted teammates Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Colston Loveland, Will Johnson, Josaiah Stewart, Kalel Mullings, and Myles Hinton.
A 6-foot-3, 197-pound safety, Paige led all Michigan defensive backs last season with 45 tackles, which included one for loss as well as six pass breakups, two interceptions and a blocked kick on special teams.
A two-time All-Big Ten selection (as an honorable mention in both 2022 and 2023), Paige appeared in 53 games across his career, with 32 starts at defensive back.
Largely a safety, Paige also had four starts at nickel in 2024 which helped show his versatility. It wasn't his best season, with less help in the secondary — Mike Sainristil (NFL), Rod Moore (ACL) and Will Johnson (missed final six games) — but his body of work over his career was more than enough for the Giants to take a chance.
Paige finished his career with 135 tackles, two for loss and one sack as well as 11 passes defended, three interceptions and one fumble recovery.
Like many in 2024, he saved his best for last. Paige had a massive hit on Will Howard in the first half to stop him on a run on third-and-short, then when the Buckeyes had the ball inside the U-M 15 late in the third quarter with the game tied at 10, Paige came up with just his third pick in 53 games, after he jumped an in-route that Howard threw behind Emeka Egbuka.
Paige put up 15 reps on the 225-pound bench at his pro day, ran a 4.52 40-yard dash, had a vertical jump of 32.5 inches and a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.46. He was voted a team captain his final season in Ann Arbor.
Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Did Michigan DB, West Bloomfield product Makari Paige get drafted?
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Makari Paige, a former star at West Bloomfield High School who became a mainstay in the Wolverines' secondary the past five seasons, went undrafted, but has signed as a free agent with the New York Giants, according to the program.
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U-M UDFA TRACKER: How many Michigan players have signed as NFL undrafted free agents? A full list
He follows drafted teammates Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Colston Loveland, Will Johnson, Josaiah Stewart, Kalel Mullings, and Myles Hinton.
A 6-foot-3, 197-pound safety, Paige led all Michigan defensive backs last season with 45 tackles, which included one for loss as well as six pass breakups, two interceptions and a blocked kick on special teams.
A two-time All-Big Ten selection (as an honorable mention in both 2022 and 2023), Paige appeared in 53 games across his career, with 32 starts at defensive back.
Largely a safety, Paige also had four starts at nickel in 2024 which helped show his versatility. It wasn't his best season, with less help in the secondary — Mike Sainristil (NFL), Rod Moore (ACL) and Will Johnson (missed final six games) — but his body of work over his career was more than enough for the Giants to take a chance.
Paige finished his career with 135 tackles, two for loss and one sack as well as 11 passes defended, three interceptions and one fumble recovery.
You must be registered for see images attach
Like many in 2024, he saved his best for last. Paige had a massive hit on Will Howard in the first half to stop him on a run on third-and-short, then when the Buckeyes had the ball inside the U-M 15 late in the third quarter with the game tied at 10, Paige came up with just his third pick in 53 games, after he jumped an in-route that Howard threw behind Emeka Egbuka.
Paige put up 15 reps on the 225-pound bench at his pro day, ran a 4.52 40-yard dash, had a vertical jump of 32.5 inches and a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.46. He was voted a team captain his final season in Ann Arbor.
Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Did Michigan DB, West Bloomfield product Makari Paige get drafted?
Continue reading...
