UPDATED (2/2/12): Quick Look @ '12-'13: Depth Chart

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

I know, I know...it's waaaay to early. How could I possibly know? How could I possibly predict redshirts for kids who are in high school? "Oh wonderful, guess we don't need spring, summer and fall to figure out the depth chart!" ...and so on, and so forth.
But it's a message board. It's for fun. For the occasional prediction or daydream. So for those getting all huffy...breathe, I'm a fan focused on this year just like you. This is purely information (or speculation) to build on for the future.

With that said...my '12-'13 Depth Chart!

 

QB
1. Denard Robinson (Sr.)
2. Devin Gardner (RS So.)
3. Russell Bellomy (RS Fr.)

RB
1. Fitzgerald Toussaint (RS Jr.)
2. Vincent Smith (Sr.)
3. Thomas Rawls (So.)
4a. Stephan Hopkins (Jr.)
4b. Justice Hayes (RS Fr.)
6. Dennis Norfleet (Fr.)
rs: Drake Johnson (Fr.)

FB
1a. Stephen Hopkins (Jr.)
1b. Joey Kerridge (RS Fr.)
rs: Sione Houma (Fr.)

WR1
1. Jeremy Jackson (Jr.)
2. Jehu Chesson (Fr.)

WR2
1. Roy Roundtree (RS Sr.)
2a. Jerald Robinson (RS So.)
2b. Amara Darboh (Fr.)

Slot
1. Jeremy Gallon (RS Jr.)
2. Drew Dileo (Jr.)
3. Terrence Robinson (RS Sr.)

TE
1. Brandon Moore (RS Sr.)
2a. Ricardo Miller (RS So.)
2b. Devin Funchess (Fr.)
4. A.J. Williams (Fr.)

LT
1. Taylor Lewan (RS Jr.)
2. Erik Gunderson (RS Jr.)
rs: Erik Magnuson (Fr.)

LG
1. Ricky Barnum (RS Sr.)
2a. Elliott Mealer (RS Sr.)
2b. Chris Bryant (RS Fr.)
4. Kyle Kalis (Fr.)
rs: Blake Bars (Fr.)

C
1. Rocko Khoury (RS Sr.)
2. Jack Miller (RS Fr.)
3. Ricky Barnum (RS Sr.)

RG
1. Patrick Omameh (RS Sr.)
2a. Elliott Mealer (RS Sr.)
2b. Chris Bryant (RS Fr.)
4. Kyle Kalis (Fr.)
rs: Blake Bars (Fr.)

RT
1. Michael Schofield (RS Jr.)
2. Elliott Mealer (RS Sr.)
3. Erik Gunderson (RS Jr.)
rs: Ben Braden (Fr.)

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

WDE
1. Craig Roh (Sr.)
2. Jibreel Black (Jr.)
3. Frank Clark (So.)
4. Brennen Beyer (So.)
rs: Mario Ojemudia (Fr.)

NG
1. Will Campbell (Sr.)
2. Richard Ash (RS So.)
3. Ondre Pipkins (Fr.)

DT
1. Quinton Washington (RS Jr.)
2. Ondre Pipkins (Fr.)
3a. Kenny Wilkins (RS So.)
3b. Matt Godin (Fr.)
rs: Willie Henry (Fr.)

SDE
1a. Jibreel Black (Jr.)
1b. Nathan Brink (RS Jr.)
3. Keith Heitzman (RS Fr.)
4. Chris Rock (RS Fr.)
rs: Chris Wormley (Fr.)
rs: Tom Strobel (Fr.)

WLB
1. Desmond Morgan (So.)
2. Brandin Hawthorne (Sr.)
3a. Antonio Poole (RS Fr.)
3b. James Ross (Fr.)

MLB
1. Kenny Demens (RS Sr.)
2a. Mike Jones (RS Jr.)
2b. Joe Bolden (Fr.)
rs: Kaleb Ringer (Fr.)

SLB
1. Jake Ryan (RS So.)
2. Cam Gordon (RS Jr.)
3. Jordan Paskorz (RS So.)
rs: Royce Jenkins-Stone (Fr.)

WCB
1. Blake Countess (So.)
2. Delonte Hollowell (So.)
3. Terrence Talbott (Jr.)
rs: Terry Richardson (Fr.)

SCB
1. JT Floyd (RS Sr.)
2. Courtney Avery (Jr.)
3. Raymon Taylor (So.)

FS
1. Thomas Gordon (RS Jr.)
2a. Tamani Carter (RS Fr.)
2b. Jarrod Wilson (Fr.)
rs: Jeremy Clark (Fr.)

SS
1. Jordan Kovacs (RS Sr.)
2. Marvin Robinson (Jr.)
3. Josh Furman (RS So.)
rs: Allen Gant (Fr.)

 

FB & Slot - Notice these positions are in italics. I realize you can't have 12 players on the field at once. This is my way of recognizing that. (Personally, I believe Shotgun, 3 WR, 2 RB will be our primary set along with the Pro Set formation.)

 

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Mr. Yost
2012 Depth Chart

Mr. Yost

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:27 PM ^

Early look for those wanted to predict the 2013 Recruiting Class!

QB
1. Devin Gardner (RS Jr.)
2. Shane Morris (Fr.)
3. Russell Bellomy (RS So.)

RB
1. Fitzgerald Toussaint (RS Sr.)
2. Thomas Rawls (Jr.)
3a. Justice Hayes (RS So.)
3b. Dennis Norfleet (So.)
5: Drake Johnson (RS Fr.)

FB
1a. Stephan Hopkins (Sr.)
1b. Joey Kerridge (RS So.)
3. Sione Houma (RS Fr.)

WR1
1. Jeremy Jackson (Sr.)
2. Jehu Chesson (So.)

WR2
1a. Jerald Robinson (RS Jo.)
1b. Amara Darboh (So.)

Slot
1. Jeremy Gallon (RS Sr.)
2. Drew Dileo (Sr.)

TE
1. Devin Funchess (So.)
2a. Ricardo Miller (RS Jr.)
2b. A.J. Williams (So.)

LT
1. Taylor Lewan (RS Sr.)
2a. Erik Gunderson (RS Sr.)
2b. Erik Magnuson (So.)

LG
1. Kyle Kalis (So.)
2. Blake Bars (RS Fr.)

C
1. Jack Miller (RS So.)

RG
1. Chris Bryant (RS So.)
2. Blake Bars (RS Fr.)

RT
1. Michael Schofield (RS Sr.)
2a. Erik Gunderson (RS Sr.)
2b. Ben Braden (RS Fr.)

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

WDE
1a. Jibreel Black (Sr.)
1b. Jake Ryan (RS Jr.)
3. Frank Clark (Jr.)
4. Brennen Beyer (Jr.)
5. Mario Ojemudia (RS Fr.)

NG
1. Ondre Pipkins (So.)
2. Richard Ash (RS Jr.)

DT
1. Quinton Washington (RS Sr.)
2. Matt Godin (RS Fr.)
3a. Kenny Wilkins (RS Jr.)
3b. Willie Henry (RS Fr.)

SDE
1a. Nathan Brink (RS Sr.)
1b. Jibreel Black (Sr.)
3. Chris Wormley (RS Fr.)
4a. Keith Heitzman (RS So.)
4b. Tom Strobel (RS Fr.)
6. Chris Rock (RS So.)

WLB
1a. Desmond Morgan (Jr.)
1b. James Ross (So.)
3. Antonio Poole (RS So.)

MLB
1. Joe Bolden (So.)
2. Mike Jones (RS Sr.)
3. Kaleb Ringer (So.)

SLB
1a. Jake Ryan (RS Jr.)
1b. Cam Gordon (RS Sr.)
3. Royce Jenkins-Stone (So.)
4. Jordan Paskorz (RS Jr.)

WCB
1. Blake Countess (Jr.)
2. Delonte Hollowell (Jr.)
3. Terry Richardson (So.)

SCB
1. Courtney Avery (Sr.)
2. Raymon Taylor (Jr.)
3. Terrence Talbott (Sr.)

FS
1. Thomas Gordon (RS Sr.)
2. Jarrod Wilson (So.)
3. Tamani Carter (RS So.)
4. Jeremy Clark (RS Fr.)

SS
1. Marvin Robinson (Sr.)
2. Josh Furman (RS Jr.)
3. Allen Gant (RS Fr.)
rs: Dymonte Thomas (Fr.)

 

FB & Slot - Notice these positions are in italics. I realize you can't have 12 players on the field at once. This is my way of recognizing that. (Personally, I believe Shotgun, 3 WR, 2 RB will be our primary set along with the Pro Set formation.)

 

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Hannibal.

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:40 PM ^

The empty space below "1. Jack Miller (RS So.)" is frightening, as is the starting pair of WRs for 2013.  I've gotta believe that one of our incoming freshmen of 2012 is going to be starting that year though.  Or maybe a true frosh. 

Joined: 09/09/2008

MGoPoints: 9051

Mr. Yost

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^

I agree on all accounts.

Hell even "1. Jack Miller (RS So.)" is frightening to some.

As for the WRs...I just can't move Darboh or Chesson ahead until we see them play. Who knows Jackson or Robinson could have a big year this year. We'll see. I think we'll be in better shape than we think today, but it's definitely something to make you nervous.

This spring we're going to have to hear some BIG things from Jackson and/or Robinson with Stonum out. I love Roundtree and Gallon, but we need some size out there. This is going to be a VERY fun spring to watch. Less learning plays, more fighting for playing time.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Mr. Yost

February 2nd, 2012 at 2:20 PM ^

Coach Hoke said we'd have around 20 scholarships free for next year. I'm going to say with 1 carryover (I still have hope for both Diamond AND Kozan), and normal attrition (2 players) we'll get to 23 when it's all said and done. With that said, when I look at the '13-'14 team, here are our needs:

  1. QB - Shane Morris
  2. QB/WR
  3. RB
  4. RB/WR
  5. WR
  6. WR
  7. TE
  8. TE
  9. OT
  10. OT
  11. OG
  12. OG
  13. C
  14. OL
  15. DE
  16. DT
  17. NG
  18. NG
  19. ILB
  20. OLB
  21. CB
  22. CB
  23. SS - Dymonte Thomas

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Mr. Yost

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:30 PM ^

  • I think it's clear to see how BAD we need Kozan in this class...look at the interior line in 2 years!
  • Even Diamond would help because you potentially could move someone else inside to guard.
  • Jake Ryan's future will be interesting to watch...he'll be playing, but where?
  • We still "NEED MOAR WRs!!" (and quality)

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

swan flu

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:32 PM ^

Pretty sure Devin Funchess would break in half if he tried to play a college game next year.  How do you have Williams redshirting but not Funchess? 

 

 

Joined: 08/16/2010

MGoPoints: 9374

Mr. Yost

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:51 PM ^

However the comment on Funchess WAS flamebait...especially after Hoke said he was 220 in yesterday's presser - AND he said that he'd be playing as a pass catching TE who they could split out wide.

...But I don't have AJ Williams redshirtting, I just went back to double check and he's not redshirtting on either depth chart.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

joeyb

February 2nd, 2012 at 1:33 PM ^

It wasn't flamebait. 220 is not large enough to play tight end. Koger, Watson, and Moore are all listed at 255-258. Even if they want him relatively light and quick, he probably needs to be at least 240 to play on the line. If he had to go up against a 290 lb DL he'd probably be tossed around like a rag doll and potentially injured.

Joined: 10/12/2008

MGoPoints: 16845

Mr. Yost

February 2nd, 2012 at 1:04 PM ^

Hoke said he's 220 and he's not playing a dedicated blocking TE position.

Look at our outside WRs, who's the Hemingway redzone threat?

I'm banking that Funchess, at 6'5 220 is going to NOT redshirt and he's going to play more because of the need. We have no proven "go up and get it" guy.

 

Edit - Touche, sir. Touche.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

APBlue

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:47 PM ^

I've gone back and forth from being aggravated with these Diggs jokes to chuckling at them. This one however, made me laugh. Twice.
<br>I think the only other ongoing joke on MGoBlog with more legs than this one is that CRAIG JAMES KILLED FIVE HOOKERS.

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 22020

lukepanici

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:51 PM ^

Like the list, but I would think Jerald Robinson has a better shot at the #1 WR spot than Jeremy Jackson. I just dont think he's got the downfield speed to be the go to guy

Joined: 12/13/2010

MGoPoints: 817

Mr. Yost

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:57 PM ^

I went back and forth on that...and on the Darboh/Chesson debate.

I feel like you can flip a coin at this point. I think Robinson has got better natural ability and is a better playmaker.

But Jackson has played more, he's bigger AND his game is way more refined. He's also a willing blocker. I don't think being the coaches son is going to play into it, but I think we can assume he's been coached up more than Robinson.

That might be my favorite battle going into the spring...who's going to play WR next to Roundtree and Gallon/Dileo.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Dandaman

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^

I know a lot of people assumed T-rob wouldn't get a 5th year but I remember reading or seeing a video where one of the coaches said he was going to need to step up next season. I think he will be in the mix next year somewhere.

Joined: 11/18/2008

MGoPoints: 103

Mr. Yost

February 2nd, 2012 at 1:01 PM ^

I had him off when I thought we were going to take 28 guys...

So when I copied and pasted this from the November update, he wasn't on the depth chart. I think he'll definitely be back (assuming he wants to be back) with us only taking 25-27 guys.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

jbibiza

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:57 PM ^

Nice job but I think you have Chris Bryant under rated.  Coach Hoke mentioned him during bowl practices and there is other buzz that he may even contend for a starting spot.

Joined: 10/08/2009

MGoPoints: 7387

Mr. Yost

February 2nd, 2012 at 1:09 PM ^

I actually really like Bryant's game. I've been saying even if we got Kozan or Josh Garnett that I think Bryant was going to be the starter over BOTH of those guys down the road.

My thought is that they'd push Kalis and he'd move to center and Kozan/Garnett would play the other guard spot opposite Bryant.

I do have him starting in 2013, and that's not out of necessity. I wouldn't be shocked at all if he's playing over Mealer this year (assuming Mealer comes back for a 5th year).

...wouldn't be shocked if Kalis played over Mealer either for that matter.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

blue in dc

February 2nd, 2012 at 1:18 PM ^

Thanks for doing this. Interested in what your thinking was on walkons when you did this. In particular I found it interesting that Gunderson was in your depth chart on the offensive line

Joined: 01/22/2011

MGoPoints: 20401

Mr. Yost

February 2nd, 2012 at 1:41 PM ^

Some are on (Joey Kerridge too)...because they're in the 2-Deep. They're returning walk-ons that have been around or they could see meaningful PT. Really the meaningful PT is the big reason...Gunderson (let's hope not) may be forced into duty. Kerridge is a prototypical FB that may even start if Hopkins blocking skills aren't up to par.

Dan Gibbs is supposed to join the team as a preferred walk-on at OL, I think he could find his way onto the '13-'14 Depth Chart.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

NOLA Blue

February 2nd, 2012 at 1:31 PM ^

This post made me sad, only because I just had to re-live Carvin Johnson leaving the team.  I think I had repressed the memory, and now it has returned with a few quick keystrokes and Google.  Dang, I really liked that kid.

As it turns out, annarbor.com just gave us some follow-up on him (as well as Greg Brown, Chris Barnett, Je'Ron Stokes and Kellen Jones) six days ago.  Mr. Johnson landed at Hampton University in Virginia.

 

Joined: 12/15/2009

MGoPoints: 695

Alumnus93

February 2nd, 2012 at 1:41 PM ^

Hoke told Kalis that after he gets into the groove in the summer, he'll go with either  RG or RT.

And don't discount Braden at LT.  Yep.

Joined: 09/10/2009

MGoPoints: 9684

PurpleStuff

February 2nd, 2012 at 2:20 PM ^

That really isn't all that important.  What matters is having two really good guys at the top of the depth chart.  USC had great receivers this past year and the 3rd and 4th guys did basically nothing.  Everyone else did less than that.  Just remember how rarely Steve Breaston got the ball thrown his way at Michigan as the 3rd option.

I could see being worried that we don't have those two guys (or might not down the road), but when this offense begins to take shape the way Hoke/Borges want (more TE and FB, conventional sets) having a bunch of good wide receivers isn't going to matter all that much.

Joined: 04/21/2009

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