'16 Depth Chart: Version 1 ("Submarine Edition")

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

 

Notes:

  1. Players included are players who could play this year...not the entire roster.
  2. Short-term injuries/suspensions are not taken into the equation
  3. I have no idea what to do with the LBs. I tried to break it out to natual LBs, Big LBs, and then Peppers' NB spot.
  4. I added the hybrid RB/slot on offense - this is not a starting position, I know there are 11 on offense and 11 on defense.
  5. I haven't updated this since Signing Day so it's bound to have mistakes...but the first game is around the corner so we'll have our answers soon enough.

Depth Chart? Depth Chart.

QB
1. Wilton Speight (RS So.)
2. John O'Korn (RS Jr.)
3. Shane Morris (RS Jr.)
4. Alex Malzone (RS Fr.)
rs: Brandon Peters (Fr.)

RB
1. De'Veon Smith (Sr.) 
2. Ty Isaac (RS Jr.)
3. Drake Johnson (RS Sr.)
4. Karan Higdon (So.)
rs: Kareem Walker (Fr.)
rs: Kingston Davis (Fr.)

Hybrid RB/Slot
1. Chris Evans (Fr.)
2. Jabrill Peppers (RS So.) 

FB
1. Khalid Hill (RS Jr.)
2. Henry Poggi (RS Jr.) /  Bobby Henderson (RS Sr.)
4. MIchael Hirsch (RS Jr.)

WR1
1. Jehu Chesson (RS Sr.)
2. Maurice Ways (RS So.) / Eddie McDoom (Fr.)

WR2
1. Amara Darboh (RS Sr.)
2. Drake Harris (RS So.) / Kekoa Crawford (Fr.)

SLOT
1. Grant Perry (So.)
2. Nate Johnson (Fr.)
3. Jourdan Lewis (Sr.)

TE1
1. Jake Butt (Sr.)
2. Ian Bunting (RS So.)
3. Zach Gentry (RS Fr.)
rs: Sean McKeon (Fr.)
rs: Nick Eubanks (Fr.)

TE2
1. Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (RS Fr.)
2. Devin Asiasi (Fr.)

LT
1. Grant Newsome (So.)
2. Ben Bredeson (Fr.)
3. Juwan Bushell-Beatty (RS So.)

LG
1. Ben Braden (RS Sr.)
2. David Dawson (RS Jr.)
rs: Stephen Spanellis (Fr.)
rs: Anthony Kay (Fr.)

C
1. Mason Cole (Jr.)
2. Patrick Kugler (RS Jr.)
3. Jon Runyan Jr. (RS Fr.)

RG
1. Kyle Kalis (RS Sr.)
2. David Dawson (RS Jr.)
3. Michael Onwenu (Fr.)
rs: Andrew Vastardis (Fr.)

RT
1. Erik Magnuson (RS Sr.)
2. Juwan Bushell-Beatty (RS So.)
3. Nolan Ulizio (RS Fr.)
rs: Greg Robinson (Fr.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

WDE
1. Taco Charlton (Sr.)
2. Rashan Gary (Fr.) / Chase Winovich (RS So.)
4. Carlo Kemp (Fr.)
5. Lawrence Marshall (RS So.)
susp: Shelton Johnson (RS Fr.)

NG
1. Ryan Glasgow (RS Sr.)
2. Bryan Mone (RS So.)
3. Maurice Hurst (RS Jr.)
4. Michael Onwenu (Fr.)
rs: Michael Dwumfour (Fr.)

DT
1. Chris Wormley (RS Sr.)
2. Maurice Hurst (RS Jr.) / Matt Godin (RS Sr.)
4. Rashan Gary (Fr.)

SDE
1. Rashan Gary (Fr.)
2. Chris Wormley (RS Sr.)
3. Taco Charlton (Sr.)
4. Lawrence Marshall (RS So.)
rs: Ron Johnson (Fr.)

LB
1. Jabrill Peppers (RS So.)*
2. Noah Furbush (RS So.)
3. Jared Wangler (RS So.)
rs: Devin Gil (Fr.)
*LB/S/Nickel Hybrid

LB
1. Ben Gedeon (Sr.)
2. Devin Bush Jr. (Fr.)
3. Wyatt Shallman (RS Jr.) / Michael Wroblewski (RS Jr.)
rs: Josh Uche (Fr.)

LB
1. Michael McCray (RS Jr.)
2. Reuben Jones (RS Fr.)
rs: Elysee Mbem-Bosse (Fr.)

CB
1. Jourdan Lewis (Sr.)
2. Keith Washington (RS Fr.)
3. David Long (Fr.)

CB
1. Channing Stribling (Sr.)
2. Jeremy Clark (RS Sr.)
3. Brandon Watson (RS So.)
rs: Lavert Hill (Fr.)

S
1. Dymonte Thomas (Sr.)
2. Jeremy Clark (RS Sr.)
3. Tyree Kinnel (So.)
rs: Josh Metellus (Fr.)

S
1. Delano Hill (Sr.)
2. Jabrill Peppers (RS So.)
3. Khaleke Hudson (Fr.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

K
1. Kenny Allen (RS Sr.)
rs: Quinn Nordin (Fr.)

P
1. Kenny Allen (RS Sr.)

KO
1. Kenny Allen (RS Sr.)
rs: Quinn Nordin (Fr.)

 

As always, tear it up and I'll make changes if your opinion is "seconded."

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Football
Mr. Yost
'16-'17 Depth Chart

Mongo

August 20th, 2016 at 8:49 PM ^

Here is my starting defense: DE Wormley DT Glasgow NT Mone DE Gary MLB Gideon ILB McCray SAM Peppers CB Lewis CB Stribling FS Hill SS Thomas Taco comes in for rush packages and change of pace. Hurst and others in the rotation with tons of looks for everyone.

Joined: 06/25/2016

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stephenrjking

August 20th, 2016 at 4:36 PM ^

I find it hard to believe we won't see at least one freshman running back get some play. Depending upon development, maybe even a RS for a guy like Higdon if he can't leap over the top guys.

Is JBB pushing because he's good, or are we in a place of worry at LT? If you have three left tackles, I wonder if we have one.

Joined: 03/15/2012

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Mr. Yost

August 20th, 2016 at 4:45 PM ^

...he's not redshirtting...

...I've had Walker playing in the past, but now that there's this injury/doghouse thing, I could see it being one of those situations where he's not cleared until week 6 or something...if that's the case, why play him? He's not going to get reps in the harder games, it's going to come earlier in the year. So that's wishful thinking (on my part).

I personally think Newsome will make a fine LT - not sure why others are so down on him. I see JBB and Bredeson as fine backups with the loser playing RT or moving back inside to guard where both started their careers.

 

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

umbig11

August 21st, 2016 at 7:30 AM ^

Just because he is battling for the spot shouldn't be a negative. From what I have gathered, it is more that Bredeson is just that good. The kid came in great physical condition, smart, and good footwork. I still think Newsome wins the job, but who knows. Only the guys that watch practice every single day really know what the hell is going on.

Joined: 07/21/2010

MGoPoints: 115573

CalifExile

August 21st, 2016 at 11:22 AM ^

Isn't Magnuson more at risk of losing the OT start? If the coaches think Magnuson is a better OT than Newsome, then Magnuson should be at LT (unless Shane Morris is going to be the starting QB). I think the coaches' expectation is that Newsome will be better than Magnuson by the end of the season. They probably think Newsome will be close by the end of the cupcakes. If/when Bredeson pushes into the starting lineup Magnuson will be likely to displace one of the guards.

Joined: 03/02/2010

MGoPoints: 12625

JonnyHintz

August 24th, 2016 at 4:36 PM ^

That's not entirely true. Being a LT compared to a RT is really a different skill set for the most part. The common view being that LTs are better pass protectors and RTs are more run blocking. Typically, opposing defenses are going to put the best pass rusher on the QB's blindside (this means lined up on the LT for righties). So in order to defend against that, the LT typically needs to be a bit more athletic and fleet of foot in order to keep up with the speed rushers. Now I'm not going to dissect Magnuson's game. But if he isn't the most mobile and athletic tackle, he wouldn't fit on the left side. That doesn't mean he isn't a good offensive lineman and isn't a good blocker, just simply that his skillset doesn't fit what would be required of him. It isn't a question of whether the staff thinks Newsome is better than Magnuson, it's how the skill sets of the players translate. Newsome is probably a better LT than Magnuson based on skillset. But Magnuson is also probably a much better RT than the alternative.

Joined: 01/11/2015

MGoPoints: 48405

Mr. Yost

August 20th, 2016 at 5:04 PM ^

However, I wouldn't play him week 1 until he was a top 3 back.

Just don't see a need when you're going to also play Peppers and Evans. Those two and Smith, Johnson, Isaac is plenty for touches for ball carriers IMO.

Plus reverses for Chesson. Plus screens to JD Lewis. Plus carries for FBs.

This isn't Rich Rod's 100 snaps a game offense anymore.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

funkywolve

August 20th, 2016 at 6:21 PM ^

The Hawaii game is going to be interesting because unless the offense completely sputters, I see it being the type of game where the vast majority of players see the field. Harbaugh's said he believes the best way to get better is to play football (ie - see real game action). If the Hawaii game is a big blowout it will be interesting to see who gets on the field and who doesn't.

Joined: 10/08/2008

MGoPoints: 20232

Gobluecheese

August 20th, 2016 at 8:13 PM ^

On the one hand, getting young players in when you can gives them experience they just can't get any other way. On the other hand, a team needs to build chemistry, which might favor keeping starters in longer to be sure the team has gelled by the more difficult games. We all saw how long it took Rudock to get in sync with his receivers.

Joined: 12/01/2014

MGoPoints: 191

Mr. Yost

August 21st, 2016 at 10:02 AM ^

I was going to say just this...if it's early in the year, you keep the starters in longer to build a chemisty. You sub out your SURE starters (minus the QB)...so De'Veon, Butt, Chesson, Darboh, Cole, Glasgow, Wormley, Gedeon, Lewis, and Peppers...everyone else, IMO you keep in. Then rotate in other guys who may be competing for backup roles behind those guys or young guys who need experience. (Isaac, Bunting, Ways, Crawford, Kugler, Mone, Hurst, Bush Jr., Furbush, and Washington or Long) Let those guys play with the starters and get some run with the 1's.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Mr. Yost

August 20th, 2016 at 4:36 PM ^

 

 

  1. A couple days ago I said I thought Crawford would redshirt...with Mitchell out for the year, I think that opens up another WR spot that I see Dylan/Kekoa taking. I see Walker having a "lingering injury" that has him out until it's too late to play.
  2. I added walk-ons Harbaugh has called out by name in recent pressers.
  3. These are fun for me...but increasing pointless (as if they weren't already) because Harbaugh plays so many different guys at so many different positions. I love it but you're probably better off just listing the positions and ranking players rather than spliting up the positions like they are on the field. Just go QB, RB, FB, WR, TE, OT, OG, C, DE, DT, LB, CB, S, K, P...and then just rank the players who could play those positions. It's probably best I retire these for that reason.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Space Coyote

August 20th, 2016 at 4:39 PM ^

Peppers is a Sam, McCray a Mike, and Gedeon a Will. I believe Marshall has also confirmed he is a SDE now. I bet Kemp ends up there as well. Think Winovich plays more of a role. Other than that I agree with most of it.

Joined: 06/18/2009

MGoPoints: 38962

Mr. Yost

August 20th, 2016 at 4:42 PM ^

Is a fucking mess...I have no idea what to do with any of those players.

That's kind of what I was referring to before. I don't know what to do with them but I do know this...Peppers/McCray/Gedeon are your LBs. Done. That's set. Charlton and Gary are your WDEs. Winovich/Kemp/Marshall when we go small at that WDE spot.

After that it's a bunch of guys sliding around trying to find a role, IMO.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

kevin holt

August 20th, 2016 at 6:59 PM ^

I would say Charlton and Winovich at End (WDE but called End in Brown's defense). Gary at Anchor/SDE. Idk if he'll play WDE except when they go jumbo (Wormley/Hurst/Glasgow/Gary) but I have no idea. We'll see! This is why we can't really get worried or argue about the DL depth chart: it's basically wrong to even draw it as a two deep because of the rotation and position switching. Better to have a percentage of snaps than a 1st 2nd 3rd ordering maybe.

Joined: 03/16/2010

MGoPoints: 17447

MGoDjinn

August 20th, 2016 at 4:40 PM ^

I know we have select few scraps to dig through regarding the QB battle, but damn it feels like Speight is creating separation between himself and his competition.

Joined: 08/15/2016

MGoPoints: 131

MGoDjinn

August 20th, 2016 at 7:18 PM ^

I haven't seen anything that says he's pulled away, but people seem to be leaning toward him when asked who leads. Both Lorenz and Webb believe Speight would start if the decision were made today, and that's telling.

Joined: 08/15/2016

MGoPoints: 131

Mr. Yost

August 20th, 2016 at 4:50 PM ^

I basically have him in a semi-starting role as a Hybrid Space Player who's only behind a guy who's going to get a ton of snaps on defense. I should actually put him first over Peppers, but I guess I looked at it like "in crunch time, who's going to play at this position."

But it wouldn't shock me at all if Evans got more snaps on offense than Peppers - that's not really a bold predicition.

As a HSP, you are part RB, part H-Back, part Slot. Brian compared it perfectly to a couple of enemies in Jalin Marshall and Braxton Miller. Those guys got plenty of snaps even without a traditional position.

These are flex guys that are going to move around the field on offense and create havoc and mismatch nightmares.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

IndyBlue90

August 20th, 2016 at 5:37 PM ^

I hate to be that guy but you are not using the term HSP correctly, or at least you are making up a new meaning for it. Hybrid Space Players, also known as Nickel, walk out LB, and 20 other names is Peppers' defensive position. It's the guy who can cover like a corner, hit like a safety, and set the edge like a LB. It's the spread buster position. I think you are referring to H back from OSUs offense.



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EGD

August 20th, 2016 at 6:24 PM ^

I realize that's what OSU calls it, I just think it's confusing because pretty much anywhere else an h-back is going to be a bigger, heavier player who mostly blocks and catches passes out of the backfield. Seems to me that it would better to use a term that doesn't already mean something else, rather than adopt OSU's newspeak.

Joined: 09/16/2009

MGoPoints: 35199

Mr. Yost

August 21st, 2016 at 10:16 AM ^

It's a made up term on MGoBlog.

It's not an official position on offense or defense. I chose to use it on offense because I consider the Aaron Shea's to be H-Backs. Henry Poggi last year.

I was going to call it "Wolverine" to be honest.

It's a hybrid RB/Slot WR that you want to get into space, who is also a football player.

The point was that Peppers and Evans are that player...as you saw last year with Jabrill. And as you see here with Evans.

 

Joined: 07/25/2011

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Mr. Yost

August 21st, 2016 at 10:26 AM ^

It's been said by Drevno, tweeted in pictures (above), referenced by Brian here: http://mgoblog.com/content/unverified-voracity-says-periscope

 

  • Evans is in an H-back spot, not at tailback, His best fit on offense is as an OSU-style H-back in the vein of Jalin Marshall or last year's version Braxton Miller. While Michigan's offense doesn't have a dedicated spot like that, they did end up with a guy more or less in that role: Jabrill Peppers. With Evans impressing and Peppers around the offense figures to use a hybrid RB/WR guy on a lot of snaps, especially because you can do a lot worse than having De'Veon Smith block for you.

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