Makari Jaimon Paige (born January 11, 2002) is an American football

defensive back In gridiron football, defensive backs (DBs), also called the secondary, are the players on the defensive side of the ball who play farthest back from the line of scrimmage. They are distinguished from the other two sets of defensive players, the ...

for the

Michigan Wolverines The Michigan Wolverines comprise 29 varsity sports teams at the University of Michigan. These teams compete in the NCAA's Division I and in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except women's water polo, which competes in the NCAA inter-divisio ...

. He has won three consecutive Big Ten Conference titles, and a national championship in 2023.

Early life and high school

Paige was born in 2001, in West Bloomfield, Michigan. He is the son of Glen and Lajuanna Paige. He attended West Bloomfield High School, where he played football under future Michigan assistant coach, Ronald Bellamy. He was also high school teammates with

Donovan Edwards Donovan Edwards (born February 25, 2003) is an American football running back for the Michigan Wolverines. Early years and high school career Edwards was born in 2003 in West Bloomfield, Michigan. His mother, Donna, died from cancer in 2005 when ...

and

Semaj Morgan Semaj J. Morgan (born May 6, 2005) is an American football wide receiver for the Michigan Wolverines. As a true freshman, Morgan helped Michigan win a national championship in 2023. Early years and high school Morgan was born in 2005 in West ...

. During his junior and senior seasons, 2018 and 2019, he totaled 198 tackles, intercepted four passes, and had eleven pass breakups. 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 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of events, COVID- ...

, 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.

College career

Freshman, sophomore and junior seasons

Paige committed to the University of Michigan in July 2019, and enrolled early in January 2020. 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. 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. 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. 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

External links

Michigan Wolverines bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paige, Makari 2002 births Living people American football defensive backs Michigan Wolverines football players People from West Bloomfield, Michigan Players of American football from Oakland County, Michigan