Unofficial/"My Best Guess" 2014 Fall Depth Chart (2.0)

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

A few of notes...

 

  1. This is based off the final 2013 depth chart, natural progression, the spring depth chart, fall chatter, and some of YOUR comments from 1.0 (http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/unofficialmy-best-guess-2014-fall-depth-chart)
  2. This isn't projecting "by the B1G season" or where guys finish the year
  3. 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) - it's also not predicting the first game because there may be suspensions or motivational ploys from the fall/fall camp that take effect in the early game...really this was always to help with the NCAA Football video game series, obviously things change game-to-game

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.) / Drake Johnson (RS So.)
3. Derrick Green (So.)
4. 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. Amara Darboh (RS So.) / Jehu Chesson (RS So.)
3. Da'Mario Jones (So.)
4. 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.) / Ian Bunting (Fr.)

LT
1. Mason Cole (Fr.)
2. Erik Magnuson (RS So.)
3. Logan Tuley-Tillman (RS Fr.)

LG
1. Erik Magnuson (RS So.)
2. Kyle Bosch (So.)
3. Joey Burzynski (RS Sr.)
4. Dan Samuelson (RS Fr.)

C
1. Jack Miller (RS Jr.)
2. Graham Glasgow (RS Jr.)
3. Patrick Kugler (RS Fr.)

RG
1. Kyle Kalis (RS So.)
2. Graham Glasgow (RS Jr.)
3. David Dawson (RS Fr.)
4. Blake Bars (RS So.)

RT
1. Ben Braden (RS So.)
2. Graham Glasgow (RS Jr.)
3. 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.) / Joe Bolden (Jr.)
3. Michael Ferns (Fr.)
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. Michael McCray (RS Fr.)
4. Allen Gant (RS So.)

WCB
1. Blake Countess (RS Jr.) / 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.)
3. Brandon Watson (Fr.)

SS
1. Delano Hill (So.)
2. Dymonte Thomas (So.)
3. 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.)

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

Here's '15-'16 for those interested: http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/unofficialmy-best-guess-2014-fall-depth-chart?page=1#comment-2615668

Mr. Yost

August 17th, 2014 at 5:57 PM ^

Anyone see anything last night to break these two position battles?

Many of the other "/" are probably going to be kept until the first game because I don't think any of us will have a true idea unless Hoke says something. And even "(insert name) will start game one, but they'll rotate pretty evenly and it'll continue to be a battle for the next couple of weeks" won't be good enough for me to pick a winner. It'll have to be something more definitive like his comments towards Miller/Glasgow, Braden, and I guess you can throw Devin in there because he finally stopped with the competition thing there.

Texagander

August 17th, 2014 at 6:28 PM ^

Darboh was clearly favored over Chesson.

Some other observations :
Wormley got a lot of PT but didn't do much to stand out.
Also think Norfleet will be the starting in slot
Green 1st&2nd downs. Smith short yardage. Hayes 3rd down back. Johnson will come in if others aren't doing anything.
Bolden is legit. Reminds me of all American game.

Mr. Yost

August 17th, 2014 at 7:13 PM ^

These kinds of things are awesome little tidbits.

The Darboh note makes me particuarly happy because I called that one this time last year and then he got hurt, but I've said on that bandwagon. As much as I loved watching Edwards and Manningham, I always loved Avant and Arrington. Darboh is that guy IMO. Loved his story ever since I read it when he was a recruit. I believe it was in some Iowa newspaper.

Mr. Yost

August 17th, 2014 at 6:25 PM ^

The "unofficial" part is it's not Michigan's official 2014 depth chart...which I'm sure Wolverine Devotee will post the moment it is released on what, the Wednesday before the first game?

That is why I put a slash...you see it? "/" 

That means Unofficial 2014 Fall Depth Chart...AND/OR..."My Best Guess" 2014 Fall Depth Chart. 

See there? I know you were trying to be an ass...but you did it wrong, so I figured I'd help you out.

 

Randy Marsh

August 17th, 2014 at 6:13 PM ^

I still don't believe Green will end up being #3. I'd also call Norfleet and Canteen 1a and 1b. Everything else I agree with. 

I'm somewhat hoping Glasgow or Kugler beat out Miller at center, but I dunno about that. Also wish Dymonte would take over at safety but if Hill is clearly better, so be it.

BloomingtonBlue

August 17th, 2014 at 6:07 PM ^

That Derrick is the best "running" back. Where as De'Veon is the best "blocking" back. One will play more than the other depending on what our line allows us to do.

Don

August 17th, 2014 at 6:13 PM ^

I can't find him in the lists of recruited scholarship players on Rivals.

This isn't news, but It's nonetheless instructive to read the OL list and see the upperclassmen—who should be the heart of any offensive line—consist solely of one RS Senior and two RS Juniors, one of which is also a walk-on.

Don

August 17th, 2014 at 7:18 PM ^

I'd be surprised if any other program in the Super 5 conferences has only three upperclassmen OL, and in the unlikely event there is, I'd bet good money that none of them has two walk-ons out of the three.

I think Funk deserves the chance to coach an OL unit that's half-upperclassmen.

Maize and Blue…

August 17th, 2014 at 8:41 PM ^

all played a part.  For what its worth USC's current projected starting OL includes a Fr, RS Fr, 2 RS soph, and a Jr.  UCLAs two deep includes a Sr, RS Jr, 2 RS Soph, 4 Soph,  RS Fr, and 2 Fr with 3 true sophs starting.  

What I'm saying is enough with the excuses for the OL.  We have 3 OL who should be in their 4th year in the program unfortunately 1 quit and another took a medical.  We also lost Jake Fisher in this class due to the coaching change.  4 players in their third year and 6 in their second year.  We missed on Alex Kozan in 2012 and he started in the NC game last year.  Obviously there are a lot of young Olineman developing and playing better than ours are for whatever reason.

Don

August 17th, 2014 at 11:33 PM ^

including junior Max Tuerk who will be the center, who has 20 career starts on the OL. UCLA has five upperclassmen listed in their OL roster.

I won't contest that Funk has yet to prove beyond doubt he's up to the task, but injuries, attrition, and "the process" are not his fault.

If, God forbid, the OL is still a hot mess by season's end and injuries aren't the main factor, then I would agree that it would be time for Hoke to make a change.

Maize and Blue…

August 18th, 2014 at 2:40 PM ^

I know that our 2008 OL had only Schilling with any experience and a bunch of 3 star recruits.  We were learning a new system and had QBs with no experience who weren't even a fit.  Somehow Greg Frey managed a get that Oline to function well enough to have 2 RBs average over 4 ypc and 2 over 5 ypc despite our QBs completing under 50% of their passes.

Having players listed on the roster and them actually being good enough to play are two different things.  Once again UCLA is projected to start three true sophomores and all three spent a good portion of last year starting as true freshman and despite that UCLA rushed for almost 75 more yards per game then we did.

PutDaTeamOnMyBack

August 17th, 2014 at 6:15 PM ^

A friend and I were chatting about how our secondary could look after all the positive comments reg. Jabrill's play at corner last night. What do you think the chances of us trotting out Taylor and Peppers at the corners, with Wilson and Countess at each safety spot? I believe those to be our top 4 players in the defensive backfield (haven't heard anything about Thomas to think otherwise). I feel that Countess' field awareness and ball-hawking skills could be a great asset at safety and if the difference between him and Peppers at CB is negligble why not throw them all on the field at once (granted, I'm not sure how difficult the transition from corner to safety is)? 

Mr. Yost

August 17th, 2014 at 7:15 PM ^

Countess has been discussed a BUNCH as a potential FS moving Wilson to SS. He can cover and he's smart enough on the back end.

However, for me...he's clearly got to be an upgrade. I don't want Courtney Avery 2.0 who was clearly better at CB than FS.

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

August 17th, 2014 at 7:34 PM ^

He doesn't have the range to play FS. Better to move Stribling to FS with his range, but GMatt seems intent in locking Wilson there to provide at least one sure spot.

Countess to NB is where is I see a fit. He is quick and smart enough to diagnose the under routes. Despite the picks and awards last year, he struggled in lockdown coverage. His hips, physicality and top end speed are behind Lewis and Peppers for a combative style of D.

Expect Lewis, Peppers and Stribling to evolve into a dominant trio of CBs in an aggressive D.

Mr. Yost

August 17th, 2014 at 7:18 PM ^

I'd be more than happy to change it...but this sounds like a preference versus any hint of fact.

This sounds like that poster who swears based off last year Joe Bolden is our best LB. It's just his preference, but he has nothing to stand by in terms of real news/chatter/scrimmage reports/etc.

You say it pretty definitively, so maybe you know something we all don't. But I certainly haven't heard anything of the sort. Personally, everything I've read says Taylor is a starter no matter what and it's a Countess/Lewis battle with Blake struggling with a groin injury.

BlueKoj

August 17th, 2014 at 9:27 PM ^

Its been heavily reported on Scout that Lewis is the best corner, and Hoke has said he's the best. He also started last night. Lewis starting seems to be a real thing. Bolden was the Spring MVP according to GMatt, and has also been repeatedly mentioned by Hoke.

In both groups the competition seems fierce and likely is good whomever wins the jobs because they're all good.

FWIW, right now, Scout thinks both are likely to start.

MaximusBlue

August 17th, 2014 at 10:59 PM ^

Lewis has been the top corner period since the spring and nothing has changed. He's going to start. Jabrill is the boundary corner and is looking like he is the starter at this moment. Hoke said when they go to nickel, Jabrill will slide inside. The fact that a true frosh and soph are about to start over a senior and junior says a lot about their talent. In fairness to Countess he's not 100% from off-season surgery.

Macenblu

August 17th, 2014 at 6:44 PM ^

I see that you have him as the backup Right Tackle...has he played/practiced at tackle before? Very good list but I'm not so sure that they'd push him outside if Braden was injured. I'm thinking that should something happen to Braden that they'd push Magnuson out to RT (assuming he starts at LG) and put someone else in on the interior.

Mr. Yost

August 17th, 2014 at 7:07 PM ^

He started the Spring Game at RT and has practiced there a ton. He's currently the backup C and RT per Hoke's fall presser. He's working with Dawson as backup RG.

I feel extremely confident on that one.

Bo Nederlander

August 17th, 2014 at 7:22 PM ^

And that's likely what would happen. If one considers that Magnuson was a clear lock up until recently at LT, I think it's a safe assumption that they'd move him out to RT in the event that Braden can't play. Glasgow would likely move to the interior considering that he is much more natural of a player there. But that's just me. 

Mr. Yost

August 17th, 2014 at 7:25 PM ^

Glasgow has experience and that's a lot of moving parts.

Hoke just said that Cole and Magnuson have been working almost exclusively on the left side and have clearly taken the bulk of the reps.

I think Glasgow just slides right in at RT.

Now if COLE goes out, then Mags slides to LT and you have Glasgow/Dawson/Bosch to choose from at LG.

Gentleman Squirrels

August 17th, 2014 at 8:35 PM ^

Its way too early to project anything properly for '15-'16, but looking through your list its crazy how many of the key players this year are coming back next year. I'm hyped for this year, but my expectations for next year are already sky high. Thats going to be my senior year and I seriously hope its memorable football wise

SanDiegoWolverine

August 17th, 2014 at 7:24 PM ^

Is this two weeks old or are did you just not pay any attention to what has been going on these past two weeks? Also, the "/" stuff is ridiculous. You can't have one or the other. Only one will start. I will take this seriously when you have updated the db's, wr's, OL, and DT's closer to what we have seen.

Mr. Yost

August 17th, 2014 at 7:39 PM ^

Make your suggestions because this is 100% updated. Why are you so angry or offended? lol...Michigan Football is less than 2 weeks away, relax man. 

And the / stuff isn't ridiculous at all...no one on this board can know the answer to some of these. Including you.

How do I know this? Because the coaches don't even know some of these today.

This isn't reflecting today...it's forecasting the majority of the upcoming season. So today Glasgow might start at NG because Mone is dinged, Pipkins and dinged and Henry was late to a team meeting (I'm making this scenario up)...that doesn't mean anything. Tom Strobel started the spring game 2 years ago. He hasn't played a meaningful down to my knowledge.

So why am I going to run full steam off of ONE day? No. This is multiple data points trying to formulate one idea.

Some of them won't be decided until B1G play...any head coach can tell you that.

Even the OFFICIAL MGoBlue depth chart has "OR" next to names...sometimes 3 and 4 times! 

So why are you so frustrated? There's nothing on there worth getting that worked up over.

SanDiegoWolverine

August 17th, 2014 at 7:59 PM ^

will have several "OR's" in it because there will still be positions up for grabs. So either make almost every position a "/" or actually project and choose a starter because there is no such thing as 1b, only one person can start per position.

Also, Hoke made it clear last night in the press conference that Peppers is starting and will move to Nickel Back when we are in Nickel. 

Glasgow is our best returning lineman so he will start after his suspenion unless the OL is so much better this year that everyone else passed him. Anyone want to bet the later? No, so put him in as your center or one of your guards.

I can go on and on like Darboh is clearly ahead of Chesson but I won't. So are you willing to make some updates or is this depth chart just like your opinion, man?

Pit2047

August 17th, 2014 at 7:25 PM ^

Graham is beat out for a starting spot on this line.  If Kalis comes back from injury and does indeed earn his spot as the RG, then Mags is pushed to LT and Graham is the LG since apparently Miller is our best option at C and Braden has solidified himself.  That makes the starting line up Mags-Glasgow-Miller-Kalis_Braden which to me is probably best case scenario.  Also I would switch around some of your DT's, should be:

NT: 1. Pipkins/Henry | 2. Mone | rs. Pallante

3T: 1. Hurst/Wormley | 2.Godin | 3.Glasgow