I see a potential for Williams to see the field at T.E. if Hoke decides (though it has not been his style so far) to go Maximum Beef Machine on a 4th and Inches play.

Joe Bolden, Royce Jenkins-Stone, Kaleb Ringer, James Ross

Jarrod Wilson

Tom Strobel, Christopher Wormley, Ondre Pipkins

Kyle Kalis

Devin Funchess, A.J. Williams

Jehu Chesson, Amara Darboh

I know we have a lot of bodies at Corner but I have to believe if Richardson has the same type of talent as Countess that he will make his way onto the field at some point.  I think there's a bit of a dropoff after our top 2.

Gallon needs to stay healthy and on the field as a WR.  I think Norfleet does have a chance at kick returns this fall because of that.  As long as he is not the freshman version of Gallon who could make catching the ball cleanly rather suspensful.  They'll use Gallon to return kicks when they need sure hands during tight games.

Even though I expect quite a few will play, I like the fact that only 2-3 will play because they have to, and they don't have to start unless there's an injury.  With our OL depth,  Kalis will have to play as the 1st or 2nd (Miller) OL off the bench.  AJ Williams also pretty much has to play if we ever want to play 2 big TEs or if Brandon Moore isn't so good. 

DL is the other spot where a freshman is pretty much required even though you could make the case that Cambell, Black, Roh, Beyer, Clark, Washington and Ash are enough.  Pipkins or Godin/Wormley will play due to the lack of depth combined with their talent.  After that I think that Chesson (or Darboh), Funchess (more as a slot WR), Bolden (or Ross) and Wilson will play because they are just too good.

I think one FR WR will play, but I'm kind of unsure which one. Chesson is super skinny, but no more skinny than Roundtree when he played as a FR. Darboh had a shoulder surgery in Dec, and while should be healed, who knows if he'll trust it enough by fall to justify burning a redshirt.

The secondary isn't scary thin:

CB-Countess, Floyd, Avery, Talbott, Taylor, Hollowell maybe

S-Kovacs, Robinson, Gordon, Furman

1 WR

1-2 TE

1 OL (hopefully only 1)

1 DL (probably Pipkins)

1 LB 

Slow day deserves a "There Are..." thread. I'm getting tired of my Excel spreadsheet:

=DATE(2012,9,1)-(TODAY())

Which returns 46.

Bolden - spot duty behind Demens

Chesson & Darboh - both will play, but I think only one (probably Chesson) will earn anything approaching regular playing time

Kalis - won't start unless there are injuries, but he'll work his way into the rotation

Norfleet - he'll get a KR, maybe PR, duty, and probably some mop-up work

Pipkins - same as Kalis, hopefully won't start but will be in the rotation

Williams - at some point he'll be thrown out there for blocking purposes

+2 unnecessary and unexpected burned redshirts (probably some combination of another LB, a DLinemen, and a DB getting special teams work)

420

I think people are forgetting that behind Craig Roh at SDE,  we have uhhhh garbage... 

I dont see a way that none of Strobel, Godin, or Wormley get on the field next year....

Automatic +1 for starting a thread that's actually about Michigan football and not completely inane.

Funchess playing, even with low tight end numbers, he out of most, needs a RS IMO..

Your always going to have your Morgans and Frank Clarks. But for game sake, I really think one of Strobel/Wormley could get some nice PT and challenge Death Roh

I think two tight ends will definitely be on the field this year, whether they are ready or not. At least one wideout, probably two. Pipkins and a couple LBs. Possibly Wilson at safety. Probably a DE that comes out in garbage time to get 4 snaps and makes all of us shake our heads. And I'm not sure why everyone is having a hard time believing a freshman can return punts. If they're good, they're good. I seem to remember this guy named Steve Breaston making quite the name for himself as a true freshman punt returner. That punt return against Illinois was insane.

Kalis - hopefully won't be needed unless there are injuries, but gets experience for next year

Pipkins - legitimate starter by mid season, injuries or not (Mongomery'd)

Bolden - as early enrollee, should be ready to back up Demens if needed

Norfleet - kick returner, possible snaps at slot.  Gallon has punts locked down (!).  Having a true frosh fielding kicks doesn't make me near as nervous as punts - much more pressure.

Given the way this coaching staff recruits, I'm not as concerned about burning redshirts if it becomes necessary.  There will always be quality talent waiting in the wings.  Love that I can type that with confidence. 

I really hope Kalis does not see the field, but maybe it wouldn't hurt if he sees some garbage time against a UMass or Air Force. Still, I'm praying our OLine starters stay healthy. Kalis needs a redshirt. I don't buy into the term college ready for a freshman offensive lineman. Especially when the first game is against Alabama.

Unless Roundtree goes Megatron on everyone's ass, I'm expecting Darboh to see time. He might be interchangeable with Chesson, seeing as how Chesson has the speed.

Bolden wont be able to stay off he field. He will see ST play and some garbage time this year, maybe more if Demens underperforms, but I project Bolden as a starter for the 2013 opener.

Magnuson-same as Kalis.

Pip-he won't be able to stay off the field, whether it's depth issues, BWC doesn't perform, or Pip is as good as advertised. I'd prefer a redshirt, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's named a starter by mid season.

Richardson should redshirt, but once Floyd graduates, the spot opposite Countess is his to lose.

Other than Bolden, I think all our LB recruits should redshirt, which is great. RJS and James Ross look like they will be studs in the years to come.

I don't foresee any DB freshman playing. Kovacs and Gordon should hold down the fort just fine.

I usually dont like to do these things but I got this from a friend of a former player. You can take the info or leave it but here are his opinions of the incoming freshman, here goes

Who will play..

Norfleet - not only returns but on offense, ball of muscle and absolutely electric with the ball, compared him to DeAnthony Thomas from Oregon, shorter but thicker. If he was 3 or 4 inches taller he would have been a national recruit

Funchess/ Williams- As others have said, paper thin at TE but Funchess will be more of a WR, Williams can put his hand down and block but needs strength.

LB's -  Bolden will push Demens(and may take over) look out for James Ross as the wildcard here, more speed than any other LB on the roster

Jarrod Wilson - has the chance to be a star, great length, not super fast but covers a lot of ground, good at taking angles

Chesson/Darboh - both will contribute, need to get blocking and playbook down, Chesson can fly

Pipkins,Kalis and Braden were mentioned as pontential to play, To him Wormley was the most impressive looking freshman "the first guy you want off the bus", if he can do it on the field he will be special. I'll post more as I get it

3 1/2.