On the NFL’s cut day, a former Michigan tight end — who started his college career as an offensive lineman — was released by the Arizona Cardinals.
Joel Honigford, undrafted earlier this year, was among the three dozen or so Cardinals let go. On Tuesday, NFL teams had to trim their rosters to 53 players.
Honigford played six seasons at Michigan. Because he didn’t play as a freshman (2017) and the NCAA’s COVID-19 waiver meant the 2020 season didn’t count towards a player’s eligibility, he was allowed to keep playing through 2022. In 2021, he moved from offensive line to tight end, though he caught just one pass in his Michigan career and was primarily used as an extra blocker in certain packages.
He was a regular contributor the past two years as Michigan won the Big Ten and reached the playoffs.
Undrafted, the 6-foot-4, 259-pounder from Sugarcreek, Ohio, signed with the Cardinals. He caught one pass in the preseason (for eight yards) and was announced as part of Tuesday’s final cuts.
Honigford was not alone among his fellow Wolverines. Jalen Mayfield (Atlanta Falcons), Donovan Jeter (New York Giants), and Lavert Hill (Pittsburgh Steelers) were among the handful of Wolverines cut in recent days. Even so, a large number of former Michigan football players will appear in the NFL this season.
