On Saturday, Texas and Michigan are set to clash in one of the biggest early-season matchups of the 2024 college football season. 

The two teams are littered with NFL Draft prospects for the Detroit Lions to scout. 

Without further ado, here are five players from the Texas-Michigan contest that the Lions should be taking a long look at. 

S Makari Paige, Michigan 

Paige is a tall, big-bodied defensive back (6-foot-4, 208 pounds), who is capable of playing both nickel corner and safety. The Lions appear a bit thin at safety headed into the 2024 season, and Paige – a West Bloomfield (Mich.) High School product – could be just what the doctor ordered. 

Also, according to draft pundits, he presently is projected to be selected on Day 3 of the 2025 draft, making him an even more realistic target for Detroit general manager Brad Holmes.

It’ll be interesting to see how Paige fares in coverage on Saturday against Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers.

DL Mason Graham, Michigan 

Graham has the makings of a high-caliber interior defensive lineman at the next level. At 6-foot-3, 315 pounds, he’s equipped with the necessary tools to be a three-down lineman who can wreak havoc In the backfield and get after the quarterback.

He suited up for 13 games last season, and recorded 35 total tackles, including 7.5 for loss, and three sacks. And for his efforts, he earned second-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors.

He’s clearly one of Michigan’s best defenders, and has a great opportunity to make his presence known Saturday against Ewers and the Longhorns.

LB David Gbenda, Texas

Gbenda should have his fingerprints all over Saturday’s tilt with the Wolverines.

The 6-foot, 235-pound linebacker will not only have his eyes glued to Michigan’s running back duo of Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings throughout the contest. But, he also will be tasked with trying to curtail the production of All-Big Ten tight end Colston Loveland.

Gbenda, who’s featured on the 2025 Senior Bowl watchlist, finished with four total tackles, including a tackle for loss, in the Longhorns’ season-opening victory vs. Colorado State. I expect him to be a major factor Saturday afternoon.

TE Colston Loveland, Michigan

Sure, the Lions already have a Pro Bowler at the position in Sam LaPorta. However, Loveland would be a pass-catching upgrade over incumbent Detroit No. 2 tight end Brock Wright, and LaPorta and Loveland would form a dynamic tight end duo.

Loveland is coming off an All-Big Ten season in which he amassed 45 receptions for 649 yards and four touchdowns. Also, a week ago against Fresno State, he caught eight passes for 87 yards and a score.

I believe that Loveland is the real deal, and would look very nice in Honolulu Blue. I believe that Detroit’s scouts will be taking a look at him Saturday at The Big House.

LT Kelvin Banks, Texas 

Banks has first-round potential written all over him. The 6-foot-4, 325-pound lineman brings tremendous athleticism to the table, and uses that to his advantage both in lass protection and as a run blocker.

Banks, a five-star recruit coming out of high school, has started every game at left tackle for Texas since his freshman year in 2022. Last season, he was a first-team All-Big 12 selection and a contender for the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year award.

He has a big task ahead of him against the Wolverines, being responsible for blocking U-M defensive linemen Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore.

With a strong junior campaign, he has a great chance to be the very first offensive tackle taken in the 2025 draft.

MILWAUKEE – You can help grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses.

On Saturday, Sept. 7, head to the Summerfest grounds for Make-A-Wish Wisconsin’s Walk for Wishes.

Registration is free, you are just asked to help raise funds or make a donation to help make wishes come true.

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Gates open at 8 a.m., with the walk beginning at 9 a.m.

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Minneapolis police are detailing a frightening situation that unfolded Saturday morning as a shooter reportedly entered an apartment equipped with a multitude of weapons, including an AK-47.

The incident began late Friday night when the Minneapolis Police Department received a 911 call around 10:30 p.m. about an individual walking around with a shotgun around Minnehaha Avenue.

While police searched the area, officers were unable to find this person. However, police were later contacted dozens of times Saturday morning around 4:30 a.m., now with reports of shots being fired on the 4000 block of Minnehaha Avenue.

Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the shooter had entered an apartment on the street, seemingly damaging the door by shooting it. When officers began to search the building, they found a shotgun sitting in “plain view” of an open door and heard additional gunfire in the apartment.

Residents were evacuated from the building by law enforcement as more officers continued to search for the suspected shooter, who was found in the stairwell armed with what appeared to be an AK-47 and a .45 handgun.

The suspect was also equipped with what Chief O’Hara called a military-style flak jacket and a backpack that was later found to contain ammunition.

Chief O’Hara said one officer was able to shoot the suspect, striking his jaw, which allowed other officers to disarm him. The suspect was in critical but stable condition and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

He is expected to survive.

The officer who fired their weapon and those who witnessed the event have been placed on administrative leave, and the Minnesota BCA is investigating the incident.

While two residences were damaged from the gunfire, Minneapolis police said no one was injured besides the suspected shooter.

“Thankfully, there are no other residents, there are no other community members, no other persons were injured as a result of this incident,” Chief O’Hara said. “Thank God no one was hurt.”

O’Hara, who walked through the apartment himself, described the event as “terrifying” but praised the officer’s handling of the situation.

“I can’t say how thankful I am for the men and women of the Minneapolis police that responded here,” O’Hara said. “I know it must have took incredible courage and valor to do exactly what they’re trained to do. I’m incredibly thankful for the way the officers performed here today.”

At this time, police are unsure of what the suspected shooter’s motive was.

The event is just the latest shooting-related event in Minneapolis this week, which has seen at least nine different shootings in the city.

“It’s been an exhausting week for everybody in Minneapolis,” O’Hara said. “We’ve had just a terrible amount of shootings and murders over the last week. We were hopeful that our city would get a break from some of this violence.”