2022 Depth Chart 2.0
QB: Cade McNamara / J.J. McCarthy
3. Dan Villari
4. Jayden Denegal / Alex Orji
RB: Blake Corum
2. Donovan Edwards
3. Tavierre Dunlap
4. CJ Stokes
WR: Ronnie Bell
2. Roman Wilson
3. Amorion Walker
WR: Cornelius Johnson
2. Andrel Anthony
3. Darrius Clemons
4. Cristian Dixon
SLOT: Mike Sainristil
2. A.J. Henning
3. Tyler Morris
TE: Erick All / Luke Schoonmaker
3. Matthew Hibner / Carter Selzer
5. Louis Hansen
6. Colston Loveland
7. Marlin Klein
LT: Ryan Hayes
2. Karsen Barnhart
3. Andrew Gentry
4. Trevor Keegan
5. Tristan Bounds
LG: Trevor Keegan
2. Karsen Barnhart
3. Giovanni El-Hadi
4. Alessandro Lorenzetti
C: Olu Oluwatimi
2. Greg Crippen
3. Reece Atteberry
4. Raheem Anderson
RG: Zak Zinter
2. Karsen Barnhart
3. Reece Atteberry
RT: Trente Jones
2. Karsen Barnhart
3. Jeffrey Persi
4. Connor Jones
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NT: Mazi Smith
2. Kenneth Grant / Mason Graham
4. Jack Stewart / Ike Iwunnah
DT: Kris Jenkins
2. Julius Welschof
3. Rayshaun Benny
4. George Rooks
5. Dominick Guidice
EDGE: Taylor Upshaw / Mike Morris
3. Braiden McGregor
4. TJ Guy / Derrick Moore
6. Gabe Newburg
ILB: Junior Colson
2. Michael Barrett
3. Kalel Mullings
4. Jaydon Hood
5. Jimmy Rolder
6. Deuce Spurlock
ILB: Nikhai Hill-Green
2. Michael Barrett
3. Kalel Mullings
4. Jaydon Hood
5. Jimmy Rolder
6. Deuce Spurlock
OLB: Jaylen Harrell
2. Taylor Upshaw
3. Kechaun Bennett / Tyler McLaurin
5. Joey Velasquez / Micah Pollard
CB: Vincent Gray
2. Gemon Green
3. Ja'Den McBurrows / Will Johnson
5. Jalen Perry / Keshaun Harris
7. Myles Pollard
8. German Green / Darion Green-Warren
CB: DJ Turner
2. Gemon Green
3. Ja'Den McBurrows / Will Johnson
5. Jalen Perry / Keshaun Harris
7. Myles Pollard
8. German Green / Darion Green-Warren
NB: Daxton Hill
2. Rod Moore
3. Zeke Berry / Kody Jones
5. Eamonn Dennis
FS: Rod Moore
2. Makari Paige
3. Zeke Berry
4. Damani Dent
SS: R.J. Moten
2. Quinten Johnson / Keon Sabb
4. Jordan Morant
K: Jake Moody
2. Rhett Anderson
P: Brad Robbins
2. Tommy Doman
Vincent Gray, Dax Hill, Jake Moody and Brad Robbins are all on #NFLwatch, while I have 13-14 guys on #TRANSFERwatch. Not saying ANY of these guys won't return, but they're on the radar.
January 6th, 2022 at 12:11 AM ^
CORRECTION: I forgot to remove Darion Green-Warren. My apologies.
UPDATE #1: Exit Dan Villari
UPDATE #2: Exit Dax Hill
UPDATE #3: Exit Vincent Gray
(so far, other than Hinton...no major surprises).
January 6th, 2022 at 6:44 AM ^
Another example of the future not being what it used to be.
January 6th, 2022 at 10:20 AM ^
Nice quick correction. My anger that someone got something wrong on the internet was activated, but you fixed it. (My anger is really more about Chris Hinton leaving than your mistake, but I was going to let you have it.)
January 6th, 2022 at 10:20 AM ^
Seth said you can edit OPs now? Hover over the top right corner and look for a pencil icon?
January 6th, 2022 at 6:17 PM ^
I don't see it in mobile, but I'll look next time I'm on the computer.
January 6th, 2022 at 12:14 AM ^
I see us ADDING...
(1) RB either via '22 class or the transfer portal.
(1) OT via the '22 class.
(1) DT and/or EDGE/OLB via the transfer portal.
...if we lose Dax, I would add (1) S via the transfer portal.
January 6th, 2022 at 3:03 AM ^
IDK how realistic it is, but the good Nwestern safety, Brandon Joeseph is transferring, wouldn't be necessarily upset if we pursued him if Dax declares
January 6th, 2022 at 6:27 PM ^
Time to go all in on Brandon Joseph so Moore can play NB.
January 6th, 2022 at 6:53 AM ^
If we add 4 more guys than we are going to need an absolute shit ton of transfers so I hope that isn’t the case.
January 6th, 2022 at 7:29 AM ^
We seem to be pretty actively looking for an offensive lineman with Conerly still on the board and the recent offer to Chaplin and we have also been going after running backs between the portal and new 2022 offers. So neither of those seem like idle speculation.
January 6th, 2022 at 8:51 AM ^
Chaplin was offered in August, they got back in touch when he didn't sign in the early period. Just in case anyone was wondering if it had anything to do with Conerly Steve L said no they were always interested in him.
January 6th, 2022 at 9:26 AM ^
There's already going to be a ton of transfers just due to the fact everyone was granted a free year.
January 6th, 2022 at 12:35 AM ^
D. Jeter can return.
January 6th, 2022 at 12:53 AM ^
Vincent Gray on NFL watch? You must have missed the Orange Bowl.
January 6th, 2022 at 1:33 AM ^
I’m assuming he only has him there because he would be a fifth year if he comes back, and may just move on and take his chances
January 6th, 2022 at 7:56 AM ^
...and 2020
January 6th, 2022 at 8:54 AM ^
I knew that would trigger someone. But he was absolutely considering it before the Orange Bowl (how seriously? Only he knows)...and I wouldn't have thought Hinton would actually leave even though both his name and Mazi Smith were in the "we may poke around" category with Gray.
I don't THINK he leaves. But look at it this way...do you think Gray is going get significantly better? I say no. So with that in mind, I can squint and see why one would think "He's not going to improve a ton, why risk a bad year or injury? The draft stock doesn't go up by coming back."
If you think of it that way, it kind of makes sense. "I can be a 6th round pick now, or I can return with a chance to improve until the 5th round...but risk not getting drafted at all." I'm exaggerating as no one outside of the first 2 rounds knows their draft position to that degree. But it just is an example of the point I'm making.
You see it all the time, especially in basketball.
January 6th, 2022 at 10:10 AM ^
Gray clearly significantly improved between 2020 and 2021. Why do you assume that he has hit his ceiling?
January 6th, 2022 at 6:13 PM ^
Because I don't think he really improved THST much. I think he got a little better than his 2019 form and the pass rush and the system was MUCH better than anything he's had at Michigan.
Everyone improved from 2020, that's a terrible barometer. But when you take away Don Brown's system and add better coaching, sure...he's a little better, but he PLAYED a lot better due to other changes around him.
Again that's my opinion.
Is Brad Hawkins significantly better? Not really. But he played a lot better because the system played to his strengths and he had two All-Americans on the edges getting great pass rush for 13 of 14 games this year.
Is Josh Ross worse? No. He's in a system that stresses him and doesn't really maximize his MLB, run stopping, strengths. He's not a worst player, the +/- just wasn't as good because of what he's asked to do.
January 6th, 2022 at 9:33 AM ^
Don't get the point of shitting on guys on a team that accomplished so damn much. VG was instrumental in that success...much more so that you or any coach sitting critic.
Why not simply wish the dude well and hope for the best for him and the team going forward?
January 6th, 2022 at 1:57 PM ^
Nobody is shitting on Vince Gray. We are on a sports blog where we talk about the team, players, coaches and their performance.
Vince improved tremendously this year. He had better coaching, scheme, and benefited from a blistering pash rush. He should be proud of being a key part of the best Michigan Football team in over a decade. He had a fine season.
He got torched in the Orange Bowl and it exposed some of the same issues we have seen with him. He doesn’t have make up speed and he gets lost too often in coverage. You certainly can’t live with both in The NFL. Our pass rush didn’t get home and he couldn’t hold up to a pretty pedestrian group of Georgia WRs.
He is not ready to make an NFL roster right now and if that’s his dream he should come back and keep working.
January 6th, 2022 at 2:00 PM ^
Edit dp.
January 6th, 2022 at 11:09 AM ^
He has the skill just poor coaching in that game. The entire team came out flat. You could use this whole statement for nearly every player.
January 6th, 2022 at 11:25 AM ^
Not trying to knock any guys because Gray has become a solid number 2 in the Big Ten. But he’s not an NFL cornerback. His technique has gotten way better, but he has no recovery speed. The one touchdown he was hit with two moves and the second one froze him and as soon as it did it was over. He will be able to play with 90% of guys he’s asked to cover in the Big Ten. But he was always going to be a liability against OSU/Georgia/Bama anyone like that. Hopefully he comes back and is a leader for 2022 because as I said, he’s got good technique now and he’ll be a solid starter against almost the entire schedule next season. Unfortunately, no way he’ll ever make an NFL roster.
January 6th, 2022 at 11:43 AM ^
I don't know that it was coaching. Gray was pretty good all season, he just had a couple of uncharacteristic mental lapses against Georgia.
January 6th, 2022 at 12:55 AM ^
Morris played a much larger role than Upshaw this year if I’m not mistaken, so I don’t see that changing or being a “/“ type thing. I see Upshaw as more of a depth guy. Let’s hope McGregor finds his role. Really interested in seeing if a kid like Benny is ready to grab a role as well.
I expect JJ to start and I also expect Edwards to quickly become our #1 RB. Corum will still see the field plenty just like this past season, but I think Edwards’ size and pass catching ability will be too much for him to not see the field more often between the two of them.
The offense has so much potential if things work out as we hope. So many WRs, but it would be ideal if an Anthony or Bell steps up and becomes a bonafide #1. As nice as it was having different guys step up this year, you still want a go-to guy who you know will get multiple targets each and every week. A think QB play might go into that as well though.
We will likely be doing this again after Dax declares. Really hope Mazi stays one more year, but I’m less confident in that after today. Regardless, we still have an exciting year to look forward to with all of the talent that returns. Go Blue.
January 6th, 2022 at 8:34 AM ^
Edwards has still not shown he can be a between the tackles runner. You think he is going to pass the #1 PFF RB (before injury)?
January 6th, 2022 at 12:10 PM ^
I do. It’ll be much like this year started with split carries, but down the stretch I expect Edwards to reach the point where he technically becomes the #1 and sees more snaps.
January 6th, 2022 at 9:25 AM ^
A guy to keep an eye on is Ike Iwunnah. Tough kid.
January 6th, 2022 at 9:59 AM ^
When you say "size" do you mean because Edwards is taller? They both have the same listed weight. It's strange to me that there's this conventional wisdom that Corum is a small guy who can't be an every-down back. It is because he's short? Or because he's fast? I don't get it.
January 6th, 2022 at 12:39 PM ^
It’s because I’ve seen him tackled with one arm, tossed around like he’s a small back, and really popped on more than one occasion. It’s because with another year of a college weight training program I expect Edwards has the frame that will allow him to be the stronger, between the tackles runners between the two of them. And yes, height is part of “size” and typically more height gives one the frame to put on more good weight. Four inches isn’t insignificant as much as we want to downplay it.
Combine this “size” with how much development we seen from him down the stretch of his true freshmen season, how much Harbaugh has raved about him, and how highly he was regarded as a recruit and I repeat - I expect Edwards to end up getting more snaps between the two of them come next November.
This is much more a positive outlook on Edward’s potential than it is the downplaying of Corum’s ability. Corum is a great weapon who will continue to make big plays next year and beyond. Couldn’t be happier that he’s a wolverine. I simply believe that Edwards has a higher ceiling that is going to be reached sooner rather than later.
January 6th, 2022 at 3:57 PM ^
Yes. But reality hurts feelings. Edwards is THE RB talent. Doesn't mean you are saying all others are bad. JJ is THE QB talent. That is the reality. But many get hurt feelings.
January 6th, 2022 at 12:55 AM ^
QB Alan Bowman still has eligibility.
January 6th, 2022 at 7:00 AM ^
Alan Bowman was a starting QB at Texas Tech and put up some respectable numbers. He transferred to U-M thinking that he had a good shot at being starting QB. He is #4 in the depth chart at QB. I can't image him staying when he could be a starting QB for a lot of QB needy teams.
January 6th, 2022 at 7:08 AM ^
If as seems a pretty realistic scenario, Cade or JJ transfers after spring practice, Alex Bowman seems to have a pretty realistic shot at being qb 2. Being qb 2 with this offense might be enticing enough to stay.
January 6th, 2022 at 7:50 AM ^
The coaches will keep the competition between McNamara and McCarthy close. They won't name a starting QB until August. It will be too late to transfer at that time.
2021 was the first year in recent memory when the starting QB didn't get injured during the season. Whoever is #2 will likely get some starts at some point in the season.
There a lot of teams where Bowman would have a better shot at starting.
January 6th, 2022 at 8:41 AM ^
Ignoring players enter the portal all the time, I would say the QBs also realize August is “too late” to transfer, and regardless of the coaches “keeping the competition close,” the players have a pretty good idea how the competition is playing out and will make decisions accordingly.
Coaches don’t have to announce a starter for the players to figure out the pecking order. If either QB feels like they’re behind the other, they’re probably leaving at the end of spring. From the perspective of the coaches, it’s in their best interest to make the decision as quickly as possible. They’re going to need to find a viable backup option.
January 6th, 2022 at 9:43 AM ^
This. Players know. They don't need a depth chart. Does not mean they agree, but they know.
January 6th, 2022 at 11:02 AM ^
We will know by April who the start will be next year. Neither young man will want to be hung out to dry and will want options if they are not the starter next year and Harbaugh had repeatedly supported his players.
While Harbaugh may not formally announce a starter after the Spring game, he wont have to because one of the young men will transfer.
Although I did mention in the Dan Villari thread that Cade MAY stay regardless IF he is on track to graduate in 3 years....
January 6th, 2022 at 7:10 PM ^
This is Cade’s third year, meaning he’ll have his degree at the end of spring (assuming he’s on track to graduate in 3 years)
January 6th, 2022 at 10:26 AM ^
Is the competition really up to the coaches? If JJ improves his touch and has a good grasp of the offense, the coaches may not need to say anything. Yes, best case scenario is that both JJ and Cade stay, but that may not be as realistic as you think.
January 6th, 2022 at 7:28 PM ^
Well I mean… the competition IS literally up to the coaches. They determine what they value more in a QB and who they’d rather have running the offense. Coaches don’t always choose the better player in those scenarios.
January 6th, 2022 at 8:36 AM ^
Was he really 4th? If JJ and Cade both got knocked out in a game, I think they put Villari in to try to salvage the rest of the game running the ball. But if they had to prep someone for the following week, I think they go with Bowman.
January 6th, 2022 at 8:59 AM ^
Yes, this.
If we actually needed a QB, it would've been Bowman.
But Villari has been in the program, he's a great teammate, at that point in games you're just running the football. Reward the program guy everyone wants to see do well.
Bowman would've been the starter and I'd bet a buck that Villari would've played in a Jameis Winston / Taysom Hill type of situation.
Thank God it never came to that.
January 6th, 2022 at 1:54 AM ^
We are going to be so thin at DB next year.
January 6th, 2022 at 6:50 AM ^
You keep saying this and I don’t know why. If anything we have a glut of DBs on the roster which is why everyone knew we were going to have 4-6 transfer to seek more playing time.
January 6th, 2022 at 8:32 AM ^
Also we have one of the best DB recruiting classes in recent memory coming in, and we finally have a defensive staff that has caught up to the times and realized you can (and should, when feasible) play true freshmen
January 6th, 2022 at 8:43 AM ^
Top 3 corners return, add a 5* and other high ranked recruits. lose Dax and Hawkins at safety but all three guys behind them have seen extended time, add elite recruits to the mix.
Not sure what you’re seeing.
January 6th, 2022 at 9:05 AM ^
Our DBs have been rather pedestrian for 2 years...now we have young talent and you're panicking?
Turner was a revelation and Hawkins rebounded.
I personally have always been in the Gray and Green are average/slightly above average camp. I think the entire unit was propped up by our pass rush.
Dax is the key. If he comes back the unit will likely be BETTER. Maybe even a lot better (though it may not show without the same pass rush).
Lose Dax and we're in trouble, but we're not thin. We're in trouble because we're REALLY young.
Zeke Berry is going to be the real deal. He moves a lot like Dax. I said this 3 months ago, but Will Johnson is as good as Vincent Gray is right now, just without the experience and the strength training. I think Jones brings something. Rod Moore played well in stretches.
Dax is the key. And he's not 100% out.
January 6th, 2022 at 9:59 AM ^
Saab can fill the Dax role too