Way too early 2022 2 deep
Standard disclaimer for the haters. If you don’t wish to discuss the future, you may simply pass on this topic. We do not need to focus on Georgia. We are fans on a message board. With that being said, my guess is just that, a guess. However, there are a lot of reasonable assumptions on this list and thankfully not a lot of gaping holes where we have no idea who can fill roles. Quite frankly, this team will have a lot of proven returning talent and that’s exciting. So feel free to let me know where your opinions differ from mine. Offense should be explosive, defense has some talent but we need to hope our young DE’s can generate some pass rush, as they obviously has huge shoes to fill. My Ojabo breakout player for 2022 is Jaylen Harrell.
Also, I think our biggest off season task will be retaining the coaching staff. This group seems to be special and I hope we can keep it going.
QB: JJ-So OR McNamara-Jr
RB: Corum-Jr /Edwards-So
WR: Johnson-Sr/Wilson-Jr
WR: Anthony-So/Sainristill-Sr
WR: Bell-Sr/Henning-Jr
TE: All-Sr/Schoonmaker-Sr
LT: Hayes-Sr/Persi-So
LG: Zinter-Jr/Atteberry-So
C: Crippen-So/Anderson-Rfr
RG: Keegan-Jr/El Hadid-Rfr
RT: Jones-Jr/Barnhart-Sr
DT: Hinton-Sr/Benny-So
DT: Smith-Jr/Jenkins-So
DE: Morris-Jr/McGregor-So
Edge: Harrell-So/ Upshaw-Jr
LB: Colson-So/Hood-Rfr
LB: Hill-Green-So/Mullins-So
NB: Green/Johnson-Fr
CB: Gray-Sr/Perry-Jr
CB: Turner-Jr/McBurrows-Rfr
SS: Moten-Jr/Paige-Jr
FS: Moore-So/Morant-So
K: Moody (Hoping he takes 5th year
P: Doman
December 6th, 2021 at 3:36 PM ^
Villari is the darkhorse... he'll show up to spring ball ready to 'make a statement'.
GO BLUE
December 6th, 2021 at 3:48 PM ^
Oh hey! It's Dan Villari's mom! Good luck to your son in Miami. Go Blue! :)
Jokes aside, if we're doing the darkhorse thing: Juice Welschof on the Edge. There's not a lot of data to support this but hear me out...
Late to the sport, international, physical attributes.... and then explodes onto the scene as a dominant pass rusher. Tell me there's not a roadmap here that doesn't already include names like Uche, Paye and Ojabo.
Who's with me?
December 6th, 2021 at 3:55 PM ^
I like where your head is at but I’m not sure this new D is built for him. For one he’s definitely not an Edge player, he’s a 3 tech DT / DE tweener with pass rush upside. Seems more likely he stays in the role he had this year as a passing down DT.
December 6th, 2021 at 4:03 PM ^
Haha see, you see 3Tech/DE tweener, I see Moguls skiier and engineering phenom who is a complete mystery on the football field. You're right about his size though, he's 285 right now, but he's the same height as Aidan. Drop 15, he's around the same weight as well. Then, if he's the same measurables, he could be the same player!!
LFG Juice! Who can't wait to hear "Juice is out here murdering people" and have it be a good thing and not be referencing OJ Simpson! (still an unfortunate choice of words that Brandy's replacement should probably avoid)
Also, I had to just look this up, Feldman has had him on not 1, not 2, but THREE of his annual "Freaks" lists. Bruce believes, I do too!
December 6th, 2021 at 4:37 PM ^
I always liked Welshcof. And yes, he’s supposed to be super athletic.
December 6th, 2021 at 4:40 PM ^
I’m looking at Harrell and McGregor as the two breakout defensive end players for next year.
December 6th, 2021 at 5:08 PM ^
Harrell broke out this year.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:58 PM ^
Germany attacked Pearl Harbor?
December 6th, 2021 at 7:13 PM ^
Forget it, he's rolling.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:38 PM ^
we look good on paper, really good
December 6th, 2021 at 3:41 PM ^
I’d move Rod Moore to NB and Paige will play in the spot voided by him.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:45 PM ^
Yeah that’s possible. The secondary is one where I am making some guesses but we certainly have a lot of guys returning that have played and played well.
December 6th, 2021 at 4:50 PM ^
I have worries about Paige decommitting otherwise. He is talented. Just hasn't shown enough.
December 6th, 2021 at 8:15 PM ^
I could be wrong. But I think he was hurt in fall camp and missed the beginning of the season.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:43 PM ^
Michigan really was a year ahead.
Biggest issues are finding a pass rush and determining who is the QB. Huge question.
If JJ makes the leap in understanding of the offense and ball security this offense can be spectacular. Ton of talent.
Defense needs to find pass rushers.
December 6th, 2021 at 4:03 PM ^
It's generally a horrible idea, but I can't imagine both QBs won't play quite a bit. Don't know that it will get to 50/50 Cade/JJ but maybe 2/3 and 1/3 either way or something like that could develop.
Cade is very, very good at the mental side of QB. If JJ can get close to that, he will be superstar level with his athleticism and arm and take the job. More likely Cade and JJ both continue to improve with complimentary talents and neither one definitively beats out the other.
Definitely an unusual situation. Love to keep them both around as long as we can.
December 6th, 2021 at 6:01 PM ^
Donovan as QB and JJ at RB/WR with his wheels.
Coach Harbaugh, help these kids realize their true talents.
December 6th, 2021 at 4:16 PM ^
Amazing to me how you think Cade should be jettisoned, disregarding what the team has done under his watch. And you were probably one calling to hire Matt Campbell...
December 6th, 2021 at 4:46 PM ^
I never supported the idea of hiring Campbell.
JJ has superior athleticism and arm strength. If he picks up the offense and develops the mental side of the game he will earn the position.
This isn’t about jettisoning anyone. This is about competition and who I think will eventually earn the position.Cade has to continue to earn the position. JJ has to earn it.
December 6th, 2021 at 4:56 PM ^
Did you miss the outrage during the cyaning? There will be no discussion of how the run game could go to an even higher level or how plays could be extended or how a ridiculous deep threat might come in handy. /s
Apparently we must lose a game before we consider the backup QB, regardless of how offseason development goes.
December 6th, 2021 at 5:19 PM ^
Most people forget this but Cade had 1 more start under his belt before they both played the first game of the season. Everyone is expecting this jump after a 12-1 season led by Cade. Im not sure. Love them both, and liking Cade doesnt mean I dont see how awesome JJ will be. Ill just say Im not so sure JJ and Cade arent really close by fall.
December 6th, 2021 at 6:44 PM ^
Maybe. But from a raw talent perspective (arm strength, mobility, etc) I'd say JJ is already better. Where Cade excels is his pre-snap reads, his decision-making, and (usually) his accuracy. I don't think it's that far-fetched that JJ takes a big jump on the mental skills after a full offseason w/Harbaugh.
I think the reason so many people anticipate JJ leaping Cade is that JJ's ceiling is indisputably higher. Considering the fact that Cade is only one year ahead eligibility-wise, if JJ doesn't pass Cade this year, then the JJ era might be a lot shorter than everyone expected, which would be hard to swallow based on how talented he is.
But, this conversation is painfully premature, and it's a good problem to have. Either QB is capable of winning the Big Ten again.
December 6th, 2021 at 7:33 PM ^
They’re actually the same eligibility wise unless you’re counting a redshirt year for Cade as a year of eligibility.
December 6th, 2021 at 4:53 PM ^
I agree Old School. Cade is steady, reliable and has stepped up in our biggest games. Even A. Hutch is curious about the QB carousel.
December 6th, 2021 at 7:28 PM ^
He is the one who claimed Mike is not ready to be DC at the college level
December 6th, 2021 at 3:44 PM ^
Next years offense looks like it could be insane.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:47 PM ^
I think so too. Only concern would be replacing the tough yards that Haskins got, but I think Dunlop could be the bruiser we need to be that third back when we need a yard.
December 6th, 2021 at 9:41 PM ^
I’m with Brian, in years where we are, in essence, “Haskins-less”, let’s develop a fullback again for tough short yardage situations. No need to expect someone at the RB position to be as effective Hassan Haskins in tough yards, just take those guys as they come in the recruiting cycles as you can find them, but it seems there have to be some big bruisers on the team struggling for PT elsewhere who could be effective at FB to dive ahead for 1-3 yards when needed if given the chance. Sione Huma, KHALID HILL, and Ben Mason were so awesome.
December 6th, 2021 at 10:06 PM ^
Rumor has it we may be in the portal looking for a third down back/fullback type to remedy some of that
December 6th, 2021 at 3:48 PM ^
Two things:
- That offense should be awesome, like Top 3 in the nation good. Experienced, talented, and coached by the same co-ordinator for multiple years.
- This two-deep is a good estimate, but suffers from a distinct lack of Michael Barrett. He can do it all, but not if you don't put him in the game.
You almost have to list 2.5 LB positions, as depending on the down/distance and package, Barrett is likely to get about 20-25 snaps a game.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:49 PM ^
I had Barrett in there but wasn’t sure if he would get a 5th year.
December 6th, 2021 at 4:39 PM ^
I assume you know everyone who was on a roster in 2020 gets an extra year...so are you asking if Harbaugh & co would give him a firm handshake?
Seems extremely unlikely, as you can argue once he started playing on D again (after getting zero snaps against MSU), the defense notably improved. Obviously, it wasn't just Barrett, but his skill set played a role in the D improving from that debacle. If he somehow isn't the guy, there needs to be someone taking his place.
December 6th, 2021 at 6:26 PM ^
The 85 scholarship limit is still in effect. I personally think Barrett would get an extra year, but there are constraints on how many players can be offered them.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:50 PM ^
Two words: Mike Effing GD Barrett
December 6th, 2021 at 7:01 PM ^
Barrett can do it all on the field. Even if he stays in the locker room.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:48 PM ^
Center and pass rush are the big question marks. Resolve those and sky is the limit.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:50 PM ^
I heard the staff really likes Crippen and he got a lot of run as a true freshman.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:52 PM ^
Is Haskins leaving for sure? I thought he had another year if he chooses based on NFL scouting
December 6th, 2021 at 3:56 PM ^
He isn't likely to improve his draft stock, he isn't getting any faster, so most consider him gone. Could stay if he wanted to.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:58 PM ^
He may not have to leave, but honestly I think he should just because I don't think his stock is going to get any higher. Its another year of asking him to handle a lot of carries without collecting a real paycheck. He's not a prototypical NFL back, he doesn't have the speed or agility they're normally looking for, and I don't think that would all of sudden appear or get better with one more year under his belt. Don't get me wrong, he's a great RB for Michigan and he brings a lot to the table. But the things that would be needed for him to raise his draft stock are things that I just don't think are part of his game.
Obviously the choice is his to make, but if my opinion meant anything I'd tell him to go collect a paycheck now. I think at this stage of his career, one more year you spend playing in college can be looked at as one more year where you're not collecting a paycheck. I'd go and cash in now.
December 6th, 2021 at 6:58 PM ^
I'm not saying you are wrong about anything, but if Hassan Haskins can't collect a nice chunk of cash next year in Ann Arbor, the NIL isn't working like it should.
December 6th, 2021 at 4:45 PM ^
He should leave. He won’t improve what should be a really good draft position and he doesn’t need to give his body that extra year of wear and tear.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:52 PM ^
Hard to see the defense being any more impactful and probably a step back with such key losses, even considering a second year for MacDonald. But the offense projects to be lights out. All in all probably a slight upgrade on paper.
December 6th, 2021 at 4:49 PM ^
The defense should improve since this will be year two of McDonald’s system. Losses on edge and DB will be difficult but the DB freshman class is fantastic and that’s usually where freshman can step up.
December 6th, 2021 at 11:28 PM ^
You don't have Aidan Hutchinson. The defense will not improve. It'd be nice if drop off is only small.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:53 PM ^
The offense looks like it could be good next year. Really, really good. Losing Haskins will hurt, but considering how well Edwards has been playing lately and Corum has at least another year, the RB position should still be great. All the WRs are coming back, the OL is more or less intact, and both QBs are a year older and a year more seasoned with the offense.
Biggest area of concern for me is finding a pass rush. Hutchinson and Ojabo were so freaking good this year, but Hutchinson is a top-5 pick so he's gone, and Ojabo is getting a lot of first round love right now too, and if that's ultimately how he grades out then he should go, too. But who is going to fill those shoes?
Realistically no one can fill those shoes. They are the best pass rush tandem in America. But who can step up to ensure that position is not a liability? There isn't a ton of proven depth behind them.
December 6th, 2021 at 5:17 PM ^
Hutch and Ojabo had significant impacts on the pass D. That could cause issues. We shouldn't minimize Vastardis's role. Hoping Crippen is ready.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:54 PM ^
I love the potential of that lineup.
Here are the two things that give me pause:
1 - who returns/does not. I think between testing draft waters or transfer decisions (chance to be first string instead of second string, closer to home) there are probably 3-4 guys on your list who won't be here.
2 - how quickly the incoming freshmen come along. I anticipate 2-3 true freshmen making massive impacts fairly early.
December 6th, 2021 at 3:55 PM ^
I'm not 100% convinced that Haskins will declare for the draft. However, I have not paid much attention to mock drafts, so I could be wrong on that. NIL opened up a whole new thought process, how much money could he make as a college star compared to a mid-round to late-round NFL rookie?
December 6th, 2021 at 3:56 PM ^
Have to think Will Johnson will be on the two-deep at CB.