Unofficial/"My Best Guess" 2014 Fall Depth Chart
A few of notes...
- This is based off the final 2013 depth chart, natural progression, the spring depth chart and fall chatter
- This isn't projecting "by the B1G season" or where guys finish the year
- This thread isn't about my opinion...feel free to add your own! What we've done in the past is sort of moderated ourselves and come up with our own MGoPrediction until the official depth chart is released (so based on discussion in the thread, parts of this will change to reflect the group)
QB
1. Devin Gardner (RS Sr.)
2. Shane Morris (So.)
3. Russell Bellomy (RS Jr.)
4. Brian Cleary (RS So.)
rs: Wilton Speight (Fr.)
RB
1. De'Veon Smith (So.)
2. Drake Johnson (RS So.)
3. Derrick Green (So.) / Justice Hayes (RS Jr.)
FB
1. Joey Kerridge (RS Jr.) / Sione Houma (Jr.)
H-Back
1. Wyatt Shallman (RS Fr.)
2. Khalid Hill (RS Fr.)
WR1
1. Devin Funchess (Jr.)
2. Da'Mario Jones (So.)
3. Jaron Dukes (RS Fr.)
rs: Drake Harris (Fr.)
WR2
1. Amara Darboh (RS So.) / Jehu Chesson (RS So.)
3. Maurice Ways (Fr.)
4. Jack Wangler (RS Fr.)
SLOT
1. Freddy Canteen (Fr.)
2. Dennis Norfleet (Jr.)
3. Bo Dever (RS So.) / Ross Douglas (RS Fr.)
TE
1*. Jake Butt (So.) - inj
2. A.J. Williams (Jr.)
3. Keith Heitzman (RS Jr.)
4. Ian Bunting (Fr.)
LT
1. Erik Magnuson (RS So.)
2. Mason Cole (Fr.)
3. Logan Tuley-Tillman (RS Fr.)
LG
1. Kyle Bosch (So.)
2. Joey Burzynski (RS Sr.)
3. Dan Samuelson (RS Fr.)
C
1. Graham Glasgow (RS Jr.)
2. Jack Miller (RS Jr.)
3. Patrick Kugler (RS Fr.)
RG
1. Kyle Kalis (RS So.)
2. David Dawson (RS Fr.)
3. Blake Bars (RS So.)
RT
1. Ben Braden (RS So.)
2. Chris Fox (RS Fr.)
rs: Juwan Bushell-Beatty (Fr.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DE
1. Frank Clark (Sr.)
2. Mario Ojemudia (Jr.)
3. Taco Charlton (So.)
rs: Lawrence Marshall (Fr.)
DT
1. Ondre Pipkins (Jr.) / Bryan Mone (Fr.)
3. Maurice Hurst Jr. (RS Fr.)
rs: Brady Pallante (Fr.)
DT
1. Willie Henry (RS So.)
2. Chris Wormley (RS So.)
3. Ryan Glasgow (RS So.) / Matt Godin (RS So.)
DE
1. Brennen Beyer (Sr.)
2. Taco Charlton (So.)
3. Henry Poggi (RS Fr.)
4. Tom Strobel (RS So.)
WLB
1. Desmond Morgan (Sr.)
2. Joe Bolden (Jr.)
rs: Noah Furbush (Fr.)
rs: Jared Wangler (Fr.)
MLB
1. Jake Ryan (RS Sr.)
2. Ben Gedeon (So.)
3. Michael Ferns (Fr.)
rs: Chase Winovich (Fr.)
SLB
1. James Ross (Jr.)
2. Royce Jenkins-Stone (Jr.)
3. Allen Gant (RS So.) / Michael McCray (RS Fr.)
WCB
1. Blake Countess (RS Jr.)
2. Jourdan Lewis (So.)
3. Delonte Hollowell (Sr.)
4. Terry Richardson (Jr.)
SCB
1. Raymon Taylor (Sr.)
2. Channing Stribling (So.)
3. Reon Dawson (RS Fr.)
NB
1. Jabrill Peppers (Fr.)
2. Blake Countess (RS Jr.)
3. Delonte Hollowell (Sr.)
FS
1. Jarrod Wilson (Jr.)
2. Jeremy Clark (RS So.)
SS
1. Dymonte Thomas (So.)
2. Delano Hill (So.)
rs: Brandon Watson (Fr.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
K
1. Matt Wile (Sr.)
P
1. Will Hagerup (RS Sr.)
2. Kenny Allen (RS So.)
KO
1. Kenny Allen (RS So.)
2. Matt Wile (Sr.)
August 10th, 2014 at 2:07 PM ^
I'm hoping Peppers at Safety, Countess at nickel, Lewis starting and building on those picks in the Spring game. Of course, that assumes Peppers has the FB smarts very young to run that defense.
Nice list - thanks for posting. Obviously took some work.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:19 PM ^
August 10th, 2014 at 2:28 PM ^
...not knocking it, just saying.
Also, Peppers isn't moving from NB per Hoke and Mattison. They learned from Thomas playing 3-4 positions last year and being unable to master one --- I believe they may be being overly cautious with Peppers.
August 10th, 2014 at 3:37 PM ^
August 11th, 2014 at 9:30 AM ^
If Peppers can be fluid enough at 6'1, 202 heavier than just about every NFL CB except Patrick Peterson, he would be fun to watch in press coverage against college WRs. I have to wonder if Peppers leaves Michigan closer to the 202 at which he's listed now or closer to the 218 Patrick Peterson plays at in the NFL right now. Peterson shows it can be done, but just not often.
At safety, his talent puts the expectation at Troy Polamalu/Ed Reed level.
I can understand the argument that to get him on the field in '14, Nickle back is the best situation for him in that it's a position he can play and it's easier to learn for a true freshman. The more interesting question comes after this season when it's asked if he's a shut down, press coverage CB (Peterson), a centerfield playing FS (Reed), or a physical run stopping SS (Polamalu).
Personally, I'd love it if he becomes a physical, shut down CB who goes up against the top WR from each team UM plays and makes the game 10 on 10.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:12 PM ^
August 10th, 2014 at 2:15 PM ^
August 10th, 2014 at 2:14 PM ^
I also think that countess is your starting NB, with Taylor and Lewis as starting CB.
Finally, I think we will see Fleet starting at slot aheaD of Freddy Canteen, but overtaken by mid-season.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:15 PM ^
I look at that defense and I'm all like
August 10th, 2014 at 2:19 PM ^
August 10th, 2014 at 2:21 PM ^
When did Poggi become a DE? I thought he came in as a DT.
I like all of our position groups except for Oline. The Oline is extremely worrying. It's crazy that we could get so many highly touted o-line recruits over the past few years and it's now our worst position group.
I think most people 2 or 3 years ago would have predicted oline was going to be one of our strongest position groups.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:25 PM ^
of experience along the line.
But yeah, I agree otherwise.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:27 PM ^
August 10th, 2014 at 3:21 PM ^
August 10th, 2014 at 2:30 PM ^
And he's listed as a DE on the depth chart. No issues with Poggi, IMO.
August 11th, 2014 at 9:03 AM ^
And after one redshirt season "only" upped to 270, which is more than a little undersized for the interior of a B1G defensive line. He played DT in HS and was recruited there by most schools who knew a switch to SDE may be in his future, given that he does have good feet and is deceptively quick. He's not Frank Clark quick, but he has the feet to get the outside edge against an OT and he's big enough to stand up to the running game.
Like just about every other fan and message board poster, I haven't had a chance to see him up close to make a guess about how much more weight he could add to his frame, but I'd guess it's more than just a couple pounds to move him inside to the 3 tech.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:21 PM ^
Crazy how young this team still is and to think how talented we're thinking they will be.
Next year will be another good year with a favorable schedule then in two years when all the away rivalries happen in conference we'll have seniors and RS Juniors across the board which will be nice for away games. This all assumes to severe attrition and our coaching situation remains unchanged. The future is definitely bright and I think this year we'll start to peak through the clouds a bit.
Go Blue! Well done.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:22 PM ^
August 10th, 2014 at 2:28 PM ^
Very good list you put together..only issues I could possible raise are very minor ones.
I think you need to put some guys in two places (similar to how you have Charlton as #2 WDE and #3 SDE). Positions where this needs to be done are:
WR1: You have DaMario Jones #2. I think you need to put Darboh/Chesson as #2 here in addition to you having them as #1 in WR2. If Funchess goes out, the next guy in will not be Jones but will be whoever of those two was not the WR2 guy.
LG: You have Burzynski as #2. I think Dawson should be #2 here along with being #2 at RG. It seems to be clear Dawson is ahead of Burzynski and will be next in regardless if RG or LG gets hurt.
RT: You have Chris Fox at #2. If Braden doesnt perform, there are other guys higher than Fox that will likely get in at RT whether that is Cole or Dawson.
Only other comment I had was I noticed you went with D Morgan over Bolden at WLB. It sure seems like coaches are hinting that Bolden has moved ahead but both will play alot so still a judgment call.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:31 PM ^
...very nice suggestions. I'll certainly use these. Great points.
August 10th, 2014 at 3:02 PM ^
August 10th, 2014 at 3:10 PM ^
August 10th, 2014 at 3:15 PM ^
Agreed on Mone, especially considering one of his major areas for improvement was his endurance. I see him as a guy who can come in and give you 3-4 badass plays in the middle of a series and come off. And that's not bad, as it gives Pipkins some much needed rest.
Wormley has just had a lot of good said about him lately, and I think he's poised to break out. He's 100% back from his injury and he's playing inside which is where he's best suited. It always seemed like he was an undersized DT playing DE, but not he's a perfect-sized DT playing DT. I expect him to be a real handful for opposing OL to handle.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:27 PM ^
I am more pumped about 2015. This year should be good-great, but next year really sets up well. It will depend on Morris, of course.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:35 PM ^
We're still young, but we've got guys who are going to be getting the experience this year. We better get better each and every day.
2015, we have a schedule that sets up beautifully...Morris is no excuse, he'll have 2 years experience and an entire offseason as the #1. 2015 we better be in that tournament at the end of the year.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:43 PM ^
August 10th, 2014 at 3:16 PM ^
I agree the key to 2015 will be QB. That's why I'm hoping for blow out wins against App. State, Miami (NTM), Rutgers and Indiana. I want to see Morris play in the 4th quarter for all of those games. Of course, this depends on how well the O-line improves, and how quickly the defense gels.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:40 PM ^
August 10th, 2014 at 2:41 PM ^
I've said this before and I'll say it again before the season starts. We have a B1G Championship caliber defense this year. And I really believe that our OLine will be light years better than they were last year. We're going to compete for a B1G 'ship this year.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:51 PM ^
It would be nice to have a graham or two, though.
Taco is going to be good, eventually. Real good.
August 10th, 2014 at 3:47 PM ^
August 10th, 2014 at 4:14 PM ^
I just want to see a wrecking ball emerge on the d line.
What's your take on Taco? (Taco would be more elusive than wrecking ball, but whatever).
August 10th, 2014 at 2:44 PM ^
Do you think Mo Ways will take the
this year?
August 10th, 2014 at 2:54 PM ^
One of the things that seems key to me is Darboh coming back, because it is one of the primary reasons I like how the WR scenario might set up here. If this is in any way similar to what actually pans out (and accounting for the depth chart not typically being the depth chart), the idea of Funchess, a healthy Darboh and Canteen out there seems like a nice way to tell a defense "Good luck with this..."
August 10th, 2014 at 3:08 PM ^
August 10th, 2014 at 3:42 PM ^
August 10th, 2014 at 3:00 PM ^
I don't think Fox is the backup at RG. They'll put Kugler or Miller at C and bring Glasgow over. I think Hurst is in front of Mone.
August 10th, 2014 at 3:15 PM ^
So, in reading through this list, I've noticed that a recurring question is what to do when incoming talent surpasses a starting player. Perhaps the biggest question mark is whether Bolden or Morgan will start. Another suggestion is that some of the incoming players will start behind current starters, but supplant them by mid-season. Those are nice problems to have!
When someone clearly has superior talent, the respect of coaches and players, and a grasp on what we are doing, it isn't hard to see that the freshman will start over a previous starter, regardless of the upperclassman's experience.
My question is slightly different. It would seem to me that typically, if two players were approximately equal in ability, the upperclassman would get the nod over the younger player. Again, that makes sense. What I'm wondering is just how much better a younger player needs to be before they get the starting nod. I'm wondering, for instance, if Morgan "starts" over Bolden, even if Bolden is just a smidge better.
We are always told that this is an "open competition," and "the best player will start." However, "best player" is kind of subjective. It seems to me that unless a freshman is a clear, obvious, and unavoidable talent upgrade, they will continue to start the upperclassman over the newbie.
I'd love to hear from coaches how they work through this situation and reality.
August 10th, 2014 at 3:20 PM ^
This depends a lot on the position. For positions that rotate heavily, the actual starter isn't as important, so if two guys are close, they'll just rotate a lot and let their play on the field be the deciding factor. If two guys are neck and neck coming into the first game, you just play both a lot and see who separates themself. If no one does, you repeat this until it happens. Sometimes you have guys rotating all season, which isn't really the end of the world.
The only areas this becomes an issue is OL and QB (and sometimes RB, but to a lesser extent). Those are spots where you don't want rotation, and you end up switching things up to your detriment, as we saw last year with the OL.
August 10th, 2014 at 3:42 PM ^
August 10th, 2014 at 9:58 PM ^
I'm a basketball coach (other sports, too, but basketball is where I've had D1 recruits etc.). In my experience, even if the underclassman is only a 'smidge' better, he plays. Sports is an absolute meritocracy. The best guy plays, period.
The athletes get that, too. The problem occurs if a) it's hard to tell who's better, b) some guys are better at D but worse at O, and the real killer, c) you're losing. If you've got any of those, especially c), then it gets tricky and you have to manage egos however you manage egos: meetings, splitting PT, distraction, whatever you've got.
So at least for me, no, a freshman doesn't have to be a clear and obvious talent upgrade. Kind of the opposite. Unless a freshman is obviously worse, then he's just as fair game as anyone to start, maybe even more so than an upperclassman because you've got more years to work with him and get him even better. Again, in my experience, the athletes tend to understand that.
August 10th, 2014 at 3:45 PM ^
I read somewhere in last week Watson was getting 1st team reps at safety so I doubt a redshirt. Think you need a 5 man rotation at S to account for injuries anyhow. Especially when 4 of those 5 have either zero or nearly zero experience playing college football.
Don't think Fox is on the radar either. Seems like they have more interest in Cole over Fox or LTT right now - then potentially pushing Dawson out there and/or Glasgow in case of emergency.
August 10th, 2014 at 3:48 PM ^
This thread actually matters in regards to the product in the field and the outcome of games. The other crap is misplaced nostalgia and tiresome.
There should be over 200 posts in this thread instead of the other less important ones.
August 10th, 2014 at 3:54 PM ^
Looking way ahead to 2015
Defensive losses (4)
- Clark - replaced by SR Mario I guess [dropoff]
- Beyer - replaced by JR Taco [hopefully a wash]
- JMFR - replaced by JR Gedeon [a drop because I am assuming JMFR will be a man this year]
- Ray Taylor - replaced by JR Lewis or JR Stribling or SO Peppers [assume a wash]
And everyone else returns on entire 2 deep
Offensive losses (1) or (2*)
- Devin to JR Shane
- Funchess* - many candidates to replace him, JRs or RS SO
So the team returns 16 or 17 of 22 players... almost unheard of nowadays.
2015 should be a 1 loss type of season as long as Shane is a top 4 type of QB in the league. Which he should be - no excuses for "1st year starter" when a guy has been in the system for 3 years - other top programs throw in JR QBs in year 1 and do fine. Easiest schedule this program will have in a decade with Wisconsin rolling back into rotation in 2016 and some higher quality non conf games late in the decade.
August 10th, 2014 at 4:24 PM ^
August 10th, 2014 at 4:53 PM ^
Thanks my bad. But since Bolden is taking over from him ;) it won't be a starter lost.
August 10th, 2014 at 5:30 PM ^
I assume the asterisk behind Funchess is based on speculation that he'll leave one year early for the NFL.
The upside of that is he had a great junior season and has enough talent and production to be evaluated in the upper rounds of the draft. My fingers are crossed that he comes back for his senior year in 2015.
Now while Michigan will be playing Ohio State and Michigan State in Ann Arbor in 2015, I wouldn't say that the schedule lines up all that particularly well. Keep in mind that the season opener will be against Utah on a Thursday night in Salt Lake City. Oregon State is another Pac 12 team and BYU should become coming into Ann Arbor with a very experienced senior quarterback.
The Big Ten schedule outside of OSU and MSU is very manageable (Northwestern and Rutgers are the other two home B1G games) with perhaps the road game against Penn State being the most difficult contest on it. So yes, in that regard the schedule should be somewhat easier.
The non-conference portion is no cakewalk though because Michigan's going away from playing MAC teams on it. UNLV shouldn't be a major problem, but those other three teams (Utah, Oregon State, BYU) are all programs with established coaches, etc.
August 10th, 2014 at 3:55 PM ^
1. Bunting is much higher on the chart based on the things hoke has been saying about him lately
and
2. Henry Poggi plays more on the inside than on the outside, IIRC we recruited him to play on the inside, but honestly I haven't paid too much attention to him since he got on campus.
I really like that lineup on both sides though, personally I think the team will win at least 10 games in the regular season.
August 10th, 2014 at 4:02 PM ^
Where does Bunting play? He's kind of like Funchess when he was a freshman. Can't really play him at TE because he can't block, but unlike that season, we actually have TEs who can block. And we have enough WR talent that I don't know who he passes to see game time. I'm sure he'll get in some, but I think that spot on the depth chart is appropriate.
Poggi was listed as a DT as a recruit, but has been listed as a DE on the roster since he has shown up. It's possible he bulks up and becomes a DT after this year, but he's still too small for that.
August 10th, 2014 at 3:57 PM ^