Updated: "WAAAY TOO EARLY" '14-'15 DEPTH CHART
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. Derrick Green (So.)
2. De'Veon Smith (So.)
3. Drake Johnson (RS So.) / Justice Hayes (RS Jr.)
5. Ross Douglas (RS Fr.)
FB
1. Joey Kerridge (RS Jr.)
2. Sione Houma (Jr.)
H-Back
1. Wyatt Shallman (RS Fr.)
2. Khalid Hill (RS Fr.)
WR1
1. Devin Funchess (Jr.)
2. Drake Harris (Fr.)
3. Jaron Dukes (RS Fr.)
WR2
1. Amara Darboh (RS So.)
2. Da'Mario Jones (So.)
3. Csont'e York (RS Fr.)
rs: Maurice Ways (Fr.)
WR3
1. Jehu Chesson (RS So.)
2. Freddy Canteen (Fr.)
3. Dennis Norfleet (Jr.)
TE
1*. Jake Butt (So.) - inj
2. A.J. Williams (Jr.)
3. Jordan Paskorz (RS Sr.) / Keith Heitzman (RS Jr.)
rs: Ian Bunting (Fr.)
LT
1*. Erik Magnuson (RS So.) - inj
2. David Dawson (RS Fr.)
3. Logan Tuley-Tillman (RS Fr.)
LG
1. Kyle Bosch (So.)
2. Joey Burzynski (RS Sr.)
3. Dan Samuelson (RS Fr.)
rs: Mason Cole (Fr.)
C
1. Graham Glasgow (RS Jr.)
2. Patrick Kugler (RS Fr.)
3. Jack Miller (RS Jr.)
RG
1. Kyle Kalis (RS So.)
2. Joey Burzynski (RS Sr.)
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.) - inj
2. Maurice Hurst Jr. (RS Fr.)
3. Bryan Mone (Fr.)
rs: Brady Pallante (Fr.)
DT
1. Willie Henry (RS So.)
2. Chris Wormley (RS So.)
3. 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: Jared Wangler (Fr.)
MLB
1. Jake Ryan (RS Sr.)
2. Ben Gedeon (So.)
rs: Chase Winovich (Fr.)
rs: Noah Furbush (Fr.)
SLB
1. James Ross (Jr.)
2. Royce Jenkins-Stone (Jr.)
3. Allen Gant (RS So.) / Michael McCray (RS Fr.)
rs: Michael Ferns (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. Delonte Hollowell (Sr.)
3. Channing Stribling (So.)
FS
1. Jarrod Wilson (Jr.)
2. Jeremy Clark (RS So.)
SS
1. Dymonte Thomas (So.)
2. Delano Hill (So.)
rs: Brandon Watson (Fr.)
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K
1. Matt Wile (Sr.)
P
1. Will Hagerup (RS Sr.)
2. Kenny Allen (RS So.)
KO
1. Matt Wile (Sr.)
February 28th, 2014 at 11:01 AM ^
February 28th, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^
- Green/Smith both #1 at RB until further notice (though I don't disagree with you here on who will end up #1, with both playing significant snaps).
- Chesson starts in the slot.
- Heitzman ahead of Bunting (Bunting is very raw as a TE right now)
- Taco over to the other DE position (coaches claimed he was a SDE now), probably behind Beyer for now.
- Henry will play the NT position before Hurst, as 3-tech depth is much better. I know you're avoiding players in two positions, but I'd put Henry at NT2
February 28th, 2014 at 12:16 PM ^
1. n/a
2. I actually agree, but I couldn't call him a slot receiver...he's definitely the #3 WR, IMO. THIS is why anyone all up in arms about Canteen "starting" needs to calm down. Due to formatting I couldn't leave any disclaimers, but that was one BIG one. I don't think he or Norfleet see more than the token time Norfleet got last year. Canteen is your 3rd WR and the rest of those guys will battle it out for #4 and #5.
3. Heitzman just moved from SDE...wouldn't he be raw too? Anyway, I actually think Bunting redshirts once we know more about Butt's knee this summer. If he's not going to miss more than non-conference games. I don't think we see Bunting.
4. I agree with this 100%, unfortunately, I can't change it because I wasn't able to put this in the OP without everything "bunching up" and I wasn't about to type all the HTML codes.
5. I agree here as well, although I don't think it matters with the switch on defense. We don't have a NG as much as we used to. Mattison just said the positions are pretty interchangeable. That's why I took "NG" out and listed them both as "DT." I think Wormley will be the #3 DT.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:45 PM ^
Or, if you absolutely need to differentiate, how about combinging it into H-Back/Slot.
We already ran into problems with this when everyone wanted to classify Gallon as a Slot WR even though he had been lining up outside for a while. Meanwhile no one wanted to classify Hemingway as a slot even though he lined up there as often as anyone else. Even when Rich Rod was coach Martevious Odoms lined up outside frequently but was labeled as a slot because he is short. This year, Funchess may be the guy who lines up in the slot more often than anyone else, especially if he can motion over from H-back.
The whole slot label is a pet pieve of mine. We don't need to give a guy a different position name just because he's not 6'2. Desmond Howard wasn't a 'slot' and neither was Jeremy Gallon.
Maybe we can just call them WRs and acknowledge that they sometimes line up between the OL and another WR.
Anyway...if you used the WR1 and WR2 tag for conventional/prototypical receivers and dump everyone else into the Slot/H-back spot your depth chart might look a little more clear...
1. Funchess
2. Canteen
3. Norfleet
4. Bunting
Though really, I'd just include Canteen as a WR. Assuming he'll go into the slot spot is pure conjecture. It's not like route running is less important on the outside.
When it comes to depth charts, less specificity means more accuracy and believability.
February 28th, 2014 at 6:52 PM ^
When people say that Bunting is raw, they mean physically raw. Like he needs to add some serious bulk. Heitzman doesn't have a ton of experience playing TE (though either does Bunting), but he's physically ready to line up right now. He has two years of playing experience at DE and he's a 4th year player. He won't be a very polished receiver right off the bat, but he could line up across from a college DE today and hold his own. Bunting cannot.
February 28th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
I think York burned his redshirt. I seem to recall him getting some PT against CMU.
February 28th, 2014 at 1:16 PM ^
He did play against CMU, but he did not play again. I'm guessing he'll get a redshirt with a (possibly fake) injury.
February 28th, 2014 at 1:58 PM ^
let your cynicism flow freely.
February 28th, 2014 at 1:28 PM ^
Yeah he is listed as a true Sophomore but sure he has 4 years left after the "medical" reshirt he will get.
February 28th, 2014 at 11:35 AM ^
I think Channing Stribling will win one of the CB spots. I'd say by Big Ten play the starting DB's will be Stribling and Peppers at CB, Countess at NB, Wilson at FS, and Thomas at SS. I know he missed a few big opportunities that past season but I think Stribling is going to be the next great Michigan CB.
February 28th, 2014 at 11:48 AM ^
said in his presser that with the experience on the D, they'd like to play more aggressive. I'm assuming part of that experience is Taylor and Countess both being 3rd yr starters heading into the fall.
February 28th, 2014 at 11:52 AM ^
You very well could be correct but Mattison seems to play the most talented players over the most experienced. True freshman Blake Countess playing over senior Troy Woolfolk is a good example of this. Either way though, there should be some damn good competition at both CB spots.
February 28th, 2014 at 1:06 PM ^
Agree. With 2 returning starters, a sophomore who got rave reviews in practice and saw spot time games and Peppers, the cornerback position looks pretty solid.
February 28th, 2014 at 1:17 PM ^
So Raymon Taylor, a two-year starter, will be relegated to the bench? I doubt it.
February 28th, 2014 at 1:29 PM ^
My feelings exactly.
February 28th, 2014 at 1:49 PM ^
Yes, in my own personal opinion, he will lose his spot. You feel differently and that is perfectly fine.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:51 PM ^
February 28th, 2014 at 11:57 AM ^
Tacos playing the 5 tech, he is almost up to 280 strong and athletic Beyers is 255lbs and from what I am hearing is not putting on any more weight. Sorry but Beyers will probablly be a back up or brought in on situational downs to rush the pass or Should start at the sam in my opinion. Its a no brainer to me Taco is you best bet at the 5 we cant continue to keep talent on the bench when they are better than the guy in front of them.
February 28th, 2014 at 12:01 PM ^
They aren't playing the 43 under, they are switching to the 43 Over. There is no 5 tech. The strong end is a 6tech or 9tech. So Beyer is just fine at 6'3" 260lbs. Charlton, Poggi and Strobel are the other strong ends all about 270lbs.
The strong end in the over doesnt not have to take on those double teams like the 5 in the under. So they do not have to be 285+ to hold their own.
February 28th, 2014 at 12:48 PM ^
Thanks for the insight, but I still think Tacos the better player. I also think freakishly athletic playes do you no good on the bench. Beyers is a worker but does not give you that game changing play making ability in my opinion.
February 28th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^
That very well could be true. I think they will probably split a lot of the playing time. Taco has by far the greater upside and should be a future star on the defense but Beyer has played a lot of football here in 3 years and I think Mattison really trusts him a lot.
And I think this spot in the Over defense is probably the closest to Beyer's natural spot. He wasn't quite athletic enough at the rush end or sam to make impact plays and wasn't quite big and strong enough for the 5 tech spot.
just that last sentence marinate a bit...the only reason beyer has played so much on a crazy young team with thin depth is due to being an effort player who mattison can trust to play within the scheme. unfortunately trusting a guy to maintain gap integrity or "just do his job" differs significantly from actually making impact plays and getting after the passer. mattison stressed winning 1v1s in his first presser and if thats the case then beyer needs to be a backup rotational player...they need to play the yonger more athletic kids whove shown some promise and ability to win 1v1s if they truly want to pressure QBs more than last year. beyer is a hard worker and could very well be a team captain and im sure wed all prob buy him a beer but he has demonstrated over 3 years thats hes not the guy to consistently win 1v1s and get the QB within that 3 sec window or hammer backs for TFLs. they need athletes across the board and im guessing the coaches know it....not much point shuffling LBs and coaching staff around and switching your base D (which i really like) if youre just gonna play the exact same 11 and pray they improve by leaps and bounds or turn freakishly athletic
February 28th, 2014 at 2:31 PM ^
What is "SR"? It has been so long since I saw that abbreviation I forgot what it means.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:44 PM ^
It means Senior.
February 28th, 2014 at 11:05 AM ^
TE is scary without Jake in the lineup. Hopefully Bunting and Heitzman can play big time snaps in September.
February 28th, 2014 at 11:16 AM ^
i'd hope bunting could redshirt myself, i'd look for something out of Hill as a FB/TE
February 28th, 2014 at 12:02 PM ^
February 28th, 2014 at 6:54 PM ^
Butt won't be out too long. He might miss a month, but not more than that. And Bunting won't be ready to play in that first month anyway.
February 28th, 2014 at 11:35 AM ^
feeling about Heitzman. Okay, so he's played on the wrong side of the ball for a few years, but he has played. If I were to put money on it, it would be that Heitzman would get significant playing time from the very first game.
February 28th, 2014 at 12:08 PM ^
Except that I'm actually happy to see Funchess isn't listed there as a TE
February 28th, 2014 at 11:52 AM ^
but I still have to ask, what is your point?
February 28th, 2014 at 4:10 PM ^
Upvoted. Superb reference, bookmarked.
February 28th, 2014 at 11:09 AM ^
Freddy in the slot, in the slot above Norfleet? Maybe? I know a lot of people on this blog have wanted to see Norfleet get the ball more often for obvious reasons. If Canteen beats him out, that mean Freddie is some kind of athlete and creates a good depth! Good problem!
February 28th, 2014 at 11:11 AM ^
But there is one issue with Norfleet: none of us have seen him run a route or catch a football thrown by a QB; whereas, we know that Canteen can run routes and catch the ball.
February 28th, 2014 at 11:18 AM ^
How do we know that he runs good routes and can catch the ball? Youtube highlght film? I look good in my highlight film!
He is too young to know anything yet, no?
I am sure he is a tremendous athlete, but still so many questions? Strength?
February 28th, 2014 at 11:20 AM ^
All the recruiting gurus and even the coaches have said he's lightning quick in and out of breaks and a magician of a route-runner. Now, if he can catch the ball... that's what we will find out in spring ball/fall camp.
February 28th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^
Yes. But all that at only 170 lbs. I don't think he will start over Norfleet or even Hayes in the slot, if the "slot" is even really a position. It will likely be played by another receiver rather than a not-a-WR-not-a-RB gnome type.
February 28th, 2014 at 11:56 AM ^
"Freddy Canteen came in, and he's a blazer," Funchess said of the early-enrolled rookie. "I didn't expect that out of him because I didn't watch much film on him. So when he came in running that fast, I was kind of impressed. I kind of worked with him, making sure he can get a transition from high school to college. I told him today, him and [early enrollee] Drake Harris, 'You've got grown men playing now. You've got grown men that we're going against up here in college, you're not in high school anymore.'
February 28th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
Only one senior starter on offense. Wow.
February 28th, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^
That's one reason I think people are putting too much pressure on Hoke for this coming year. Certainly they should be improved overall as a team, but some people are talking about how he's gotta win 10 or beat State and Ohio or whatever or he's canned. That seems ridiculous.
February 28th, 2014 at 11:22 AM ^
Wow. Depth. Been so long, I nearly forgot your name.
February 28th, 2014 at 11:24 AM ^
I knew we were young on offense, but it hadn't dawned on me that with the exception of Gardner we, in theory are bringing back our entire offense next year.
February 28th, 2014 at 11:37 AM ^
February 28th, 2014 at 11:46 AM ^
He means the year after next.
February 28th, 2014 at 12:19 PM ^
February 28th, 2014 at 12:03 PM ^
This is the good and bad for where we are today. The scary part is that not only is Gardner the only SR, but Gardner, Funchess and Glasgow are the only members of the JR-SR classes on offense. 2015 will be a great year and hopefully this year talent will trump youth. At least we have players who have seen the field before at every position.
I would put Heitzman #2 on the TE list. I think we will love his position switch. Given his size and athleticism (for a primarily blocking TE) along with his experience in HS, I'll be surprised if he's not ahead of Williams by the start of the season.