TTB: Way too early 2021 depth chart
https://touch-the-banner.com/way-too-early-2021-depth-chart-january-2021/
I'm definitely not the best person to pick this apart, but thought it was interesting.
Losing Zach Carpenter at C looks significant. I don't know anything about Reece Atteberry, but he is a RS FR slotted at a pretty important position. Otherwise, depth on the OL looks... not bad?
DL also looks pretty decent, although I think I worry about our LBs.
Also, the secondary is probably not going to be a world-beater. Solid, if a little limited.
Anyway, may as well talk about football since we're in a Michigan sports famine right now.
February 2nd, 2021 at 9:45 AM ^
I believe Brad Hawkins announced he was returning, so that will help quite a bit. Safety should be a strength with him and Dax.
February 2nd, 2021 at 9:49 AM ^
Looks like he forgot Brad Hawkins at SS.
Also...I was so excited for Josh Ross these last few years, but he looked like Mike McCray(love ya Mike!) shadowing Saquon a few years back against almost everyone we played in 2020. Would love to see him succeed in this new defensive scheme.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:27 AM ^
Thanks. I took Hawkins off the list of departing players, but then I forgot to put him back in the lineup.
IMO, Ross and McGrone should have had their positions flip-flopped. That was one of my frustrations with Don Brown, and it's a frustration that I didn't really have between the Rich Rodriguez years and Brown's years. Ross is more of an in-the-box player and should have been the MIKE, and McGrone was the faster, more athletic guy that should have been at WILL.
It's easier to isolate the WILL in pass coverage because he's usually the primary adjuster, meaning defenses will walk the WILL out of the box before they'll walk out the MIKE. So they got Ross out in space instead of McGrone.
Brown did get it right in 2019 (again, IMO) when it was Ross/McGrone at MIKE and Glasgow at WILL.
Anyway, if Michigan is indeed going to more of a 3-4 look, I would be surprised if Ross isn't at MIKE.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:36 AM ^
In today's game, there really should be a designated nickel. I'd assume that's Seldon, but don't you think it should be explicitly listed on any depth chart? Teams are playing with 5 DBs more often than not.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:46 AM ^
This. I wanted to see Ross used more like Travathan in Chicago because he's not as mobile, where CR is used like Roquan in the interior.
It will be interesting to see how LBs and DBs are used this year. Will they actually be taught to fill the right gap and actually do it? We can hope.
Is Dax strong enough to play like Marlon Humphrey? He's surely skilled enough. Their weights state a 5 pound different.
I think Hill used like Humphrey has a chance to be a game changer for the defense.
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:09 AM ^
This is why I disagree with the mindset that "we were X bad last year, how much could we possibly improve?" Something was structurally and philosophically wrong with the defense last year. I think Brown lost some of his edge because when he got to Michigan, he had a crazy athletic defense that allowed him to do some pretty unusual stuff that worked because of his athletes, but then he never got back to what made him successful before.
It's almost like when George Lucas made Episodes I, II & III, he had so much technology and CGI at his disposal and he lost his creative edge. So instead of R2D2 he gave us Jar Jar Binks.
February 3rd, 2021 at 12:02 AM ^
That's a good point but then there may also be transition costs. Yes Mattison walked in under Hoke and made the defense much better, but for all of Brown's flaws he wasn't GERG running a defense he had never coached before.
Then again we didn't have a safeties coach. I think the key for having a decent defense is that the CBs hold up well enough for Dax to be the game changer we need.
February 2nd, 2021 at 9:50 AM ^
My gut tells me that McCarthy will be the starting QB. He's just way more talented than the others and this is a make or break season.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:28 AM ^
It wouldn't surprise me, per se, but in a make-or-break season...do you want to trust a true freshman?
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:54 AM ^
I will caveat, that if they get a full spring practice, I think he can start to separate himself from the others. But True Freshmen start all the time now days in college football.
February 3rd, 2021 at 12:36 AM ^
All the time is a real stretch. Not to mention playing well.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:57 AM ^
I guess it depends. If there’s not much of a drop off in talent between McNamara and McCarthy, does Harbaugh go with the freshman and build the team around McCarthy?
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:59 AM ^
Perhaps Harbaugh will completely open it up like when he had Andrew Luck his redshirt freshman year beat everyone else out.
I'd put my early odds on Cade slightly over McCarthy, then Milton, but just the way it shook out last year. Cade showed glimpses of both leadership, touch, and decision making. Milton has the golden arm, but he regressed with more playing time. Maybe Harbaugh's focus on QBs and letting his new offensive staff work their magic will help the play, there.
If Milton wins the competition, I won't give up on the offense (many will based on last year) improving until they play badly multiple games. This is his leap year or his goodbye song.
Can JJ come in and show the best of both? Well, if he is good as advertised--hell yes. Slovis at USC, Baker at TT, Jalen then Tua, Lawrence--the first two were not highly rated by comparison. If they can do it, why not JJ?
At some point, the arrow has to hit the bullseye when recruiting lots of high end players at a position. JJ is the most highly regarded arrow we've gotten since Henson, and certainly the highest in the last three head coaches.
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:35 AM ^
Has QB competition ever been truly open under Harbaugh? If so please explain how Milton won the starting spot last year. At this point I'm not sure I trust the QB selection process that I've seen to date. Has Jim ever started a true FR at QB?
My guess is that Cade gets the nod at least to start the season but JJ may end up starting if things flounder or as he improves during the season. I had high hopes for Milton last year but he just looked terrible, maybe the injury affected him but even his decision making just seemed bad.
IMO, if JJ is anywhere near as ready as Cade let him start. Maybe just maybe he will start well as a FR just as Chad Henne did but I'm not holding my breath that Jim will do it.
February 2nd, 2021 at 12:10 PM ^
Milton with a healthy thumb is a good quarterback. I won't be surprised to see any of the top 3 guys starting the first game.
I understand the reasoning behind it, but it's still odd to see a guy who started 4 out of 6 games relegated to 2nd string. I'm talking about Zinter. I wonder if he or Filiaga could move to center to get both those guys on the field.
February 2nd, 2021 at 4:54 PM ^
You can cite the thumb injury if you like but it was fairly obvious that Milton does not read a defense very well. I am concerned about McNamara being a China doll but did you notice how the offense suddenly sprang to life when McNamara was under center? It's because he could read a defense and could put some touch on a ball. McNamara reminds me a bit of Patterson in that I am not so sure on the strength of his long ball but the offense operates so much cleaner with McNamara.
February 3rd, 2021 at 12:38 AM ^
What true freshman QB SHOULD he have started? What a weird thing to claim is a flaw of some coach.
February 2nd, 2021 at 6:58 PM ^
Jim. Will. Not. Start. A. True. Freshman. QB.
Even Andrew Luck was a redshirt FR when he started.
February 2nd, 2021 at 9:52 AM ^
For the OL, I’m wondering if Barnhart might play center.
LT: Hayes
LG: Filiaga
C: Barnhart
RG: Stueber
RT: Allen or Keegan
February 2nd, 2021 at 9:55 AM ^
Feels like we will be seeing a Nolan Rumler transfer soon....this is complete speculation on my part, but he had the look/feel of a starter pretty quickly into his career. Now he barely makes the two deep. Wonder what happened, I thought he was going to be a key interior linemen for us.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:23 AM ^
Maybe but keep in mind that we have a new OL coach so someone that had fallen behind may have a chance to make a new impression.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:31 AM ^
I don't like Barnhart's body type for the center position, but it's possible if you want to get your best guys out there.
The guy on the chopping block for me would be Filiaga. He was Michigan's least impressive starting lineman in 2020, and just to show how much Michigan was cursed, he was the lone guy to make it through the whole year at his position. (Hayes, Mayfield, Vastardis got hurt, and Stueber switched spots.)
February 2nd, 2021 at 9:54 AM ^
Need to pick up at least 1, preferably 2 LBs in the transfer portal. Lance Dixon seems to be one. Would love to pick up one of the Tennessee LBs (To'o To'o or Crouch) but it seems like Michigan may make that difficult.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:32 AM ^
Yeah, I would take either Tennessee linebacker from a talent perspective. Dixon is fine, but I wouldn't expect him to come in and start.
February 2nd, 2021 at 1:21 PM ^
It seems we're communicating with the Clemson transfer OLB Mike Jones Jr. and he seems to not only have been a talented recruit, but has demonstrated defensive production in the college game. Do you think he should be our top priority?
February 2nd, 2021 at 9:56 AM ^
Defense-
If Michigan moves Dax to CB, and Hinton, and Smith make a nice jump, I think this defense can be very very good. There will be a lot of competition at OLB and CB 2 with mostly 4*s.
I don't see a weak spot if those 3 things happen.
Offense-
It's time for a QB to step up and separate themselves. With Harbaugh coaching there now, hopefully that happens, and if it does the rest of the offense will fall in place.
I see this offense very similar to the 2015 / 2016 offense
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:01 AM ^
Dax isn't moving to CB. They tried last year and he refused.
CB still looks like a huge weak spot to me. This is a secondary that got torched by Noah Vedral. I'm not optimistic, but hope I'm wrong.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:06 AM ^
Honestly, the safeties were a big reason why Vedral blew up in that game. I know people keep talking about the cornerbacks as if they stayed the same tire fire we saw against MSU but they absolutely got better as the season progressed. Hill, by comparison, looked absolutely lost the last couple of games. I really hope he gets better with more coaching because otherwise he's just a really good athlete who can't stay in position.
February 2nd, 2021 at 9:58 AM ^
I didn't realize Vastardis was off to the league, when was this announced? Hopefully Reece can fill in. Maybe Barnhart could play some center as well.
February 2nd, 2021 at 12:04 PM ^
I don't think Vastardis is off to the league. Didn't see anything announced and it's not like he's on any draft boards. Plus, 2020 would have no effect on his eligibility. I would expect him to be back and be our starting C.
February 2nd, 2021 at 9:59 AM ^
There is just so much talent on the offensive side of the ball. If we find a QB that can execute it could be fun to watch. We need some luck on the defensive side of the ball. Hutchinson has to stay healthy and then somone else has to make a jump on the other side. We have recruited well at LB but we took so many vipers over the years and I'm not sure if they have a postion. If they can patch something together we could suprise people. I hope we get some Spring practice, the new coaches are going to need it to get a feel for what they have.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:52 AM ^
I don't see any scientific reason why they can't have spring practices and a televised scrimmage if they already are working out and bring tested constantly.
And for the love of God, Warde, sell some tickets for it. Maybe even invite vaccinated frontline folks to test out protocols for the fall.
February 3rd, 2021 at 5:58 AM ^
I think the defense can be fine, but it's just not realistic they're going to be like some of the better defenses Harbaugh has had (not even the ones that looked good until getting blasted by OSU). So yes it's critical that the offense finally clicks. Even if it looks like 2022 will be better, it would be hard to stomach a season where both sides of the ball are just OK. Plus the offense really has no excuse for this season with nearly everyone back.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:11 AM ^
He has Kemp leaving???
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:15 AM ^
Kemp just made a pick 6 in a college all star game so yeah
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:47 AM ^
Well, Kemp has Kemp leaving, so I think Magnus is probably accurate here.
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:00 AM ^
Carlo didn't want to come back and be older than most of the defensive coaching staff
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:22 AM ^
Kemp IS leaving, so yes.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:45 AM ^
Actually looks pretty solid. Atterberry would be the biggest question mark for our OL. Also think Barnhart will start at tackle. Our secondary all returns so if they improve a little bit across the board I think they will be a solid group
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:20 AM ^
Two things:
1. Atteberry is probably the leader coming back, but some people at the "insider" sites are confident that Raheem Anderson could come in and start as a true freshman. I'm very skeptical of that because a freshman starting at center is almost unheard of. Even Cesar Ruiz - a future 1st rounder - was a guard in year one.
2. I would not be surprised at all to see Barnhart start. As we've seen over the years, you basically have six (or more) starters every year, because someone is bound to get hurt. So even if the depth chart is accurate in theory, there are some second- or third-stringers who are going to be very experienced starters by this time in 2022.
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:24 AM ^
Not sure Barnhart starts at tackle. I could see Filiaga getting pushed out of the starting lineup, but not sure if they’d replace him at guard with Willie Allen or Barnhart.
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:03 AM ^
Any thoughts on Nolan Rumler as the center?
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:07 AM ^
. . .
An-any?
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:06 AM ^
I think Hill not having a position coach played a big part in his lack of development. I know the corners got better, but I don’t trust them to stay with good receivers, particularly gray. I hope seldon or someone else is able to take that second corner spot.
i also think Lb doesn’t look great. I hope development happens here as well. I’d love to have an edge rusher at both OLB positions. That said, most teams play nickel primarily.
offensively, coaching matters. Yes, Alabama is very talented, but I loved the way they schemed matchups for devonta smith. You need some easy throws and matchups, and I am still waiting for Michigan to do that consistently...
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:06 AM ^
Magnus - you have Oriental Andrew doing your bidding now?
Thanks for the work.
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:11 AM ^
Yeah, Oriental Andrew and I go way back, and he doesn't even know it. It goes back to even before July 17, 2008.
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:52 AM ^
Turns out the southern schools aren't the only one with bagmen
February 2nd, 2021 at 2:18 PM ^
That is a Magnus Meal Bag!
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:36 AM ^
Am I missing Colson? I don't see him on here?
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:52 AM ^
Nope, somehow I forgot to put him on there, which is unfortunate because he's perhaps my favorite guy in the class of 2021.