Updated "WAY Too Early" 2015 Depth Chart
Obviously too early for multiple reasons...
- It's February 4th
- We haven't been through spring ball too get an idea of who is playing where...
- We have really have no idea what the system will be and where the personnel will fit best
This is largely based on natural progression and hope.
QB
1. Shane Morris (Jr.) / Wilton Speight (RS Fr.)
3. Brian Cleary (RS Jr.)
rs: Alex Malzone (Fr.)
rs: Zach Gentry (Fr.)
RB
1. De'Veon Smith (Jr.) / Derrick Green (Jr.) / Ty Isaac (RS So.)
4. Drake Johnson (RS Jr.)
rs: Karan Higdon (Fr.)
FB
1. Joey Kerridge (RS Sr.) / Sione Houma (Sr.)
H-Back
1. Wyatt Shallman (RS So.)
2. Khalid Hill (RS So.)
WR1
1. Amara Darboh (RS Jr.)
2. Drake Harris (RS Fr.) / Brian Cole (Fr.)
4. Jaron Dukes (RS So.)
WR2
1. Jehu Chesson (RS Jr.)
2. Da'Mario Jones (Jr.)
3. Maurice Ways (RS Fr.)
4. Jack Wangler (RS So.)
SLOT
1. Dennis Norfleet (Sr.) / Freddy Canteen (So.)
3. Bo Dever (RS Jr.)
4. Ross Douglas (RS So.)
rs: Grant Perry (Fr.)
TE
1. Jake Butt (Jr.)
2. Ian Bunting (RS Fr.) / A.J. Williams (Sr.)
4. Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (Fr.)
LT
1. Mason Cole (So.)
2. Erik Magnuson (RS Jr.)
3. Logan Tuley-Tillman (RS So.)
rs: Grant Newsome (Fr.)
LG
1. Graham Glasgow (RS Sr.)
2. Erik Magnuson (RS Jr.) / David Dawson (RS So.)
4. Dan Samuelson (RS So.)
C
1. Jack Miller (RS Sr.)
2. Graham Glasgow (RS Sr.)
3. Patrick Kugler (RS So.)
rs: Jon Runyan Jr. (Fr.)
RG
1. Kyle Kalis (RS Jr.)
2. Graham Glasgow (RS Sr.)
3. David Dawson (RS So.)
4. Blake Bars (RS Jr.)
RT
1. Ben Braden (RS Jr.)
2. Graham Glasgow (RS Sr.)
3. Chris Fox (RS So.) / Juwan Bushell-Beatty (RS Fr.)
rs: Nolan Ulizio (Fr.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DE
1. Mario Ojemudia (Sr.)
2. Lawrence Marshall (RS Fr.)
rs: Reuben Jones (Fr.)
DT
1. Ondre Pipkins (Sr.) / Bryan Mone (So.)
3. Maurice Hurst Jr. (RS So.)
4. Brady Pallante (RS Fr.)
DT
1. Willie Henry (RS Jr.)
2. Chris Wormley (RS Jr.) / Ryan Glasgow (RS Jr.)
4. Matt Godin (RS Jr.)
DE
1. Taco Charlton (Jr.)
2. Henry Poggi (RS So.)
3. Tom Strobel (RS Jr.)
rs: Shelton Johnson (Fr.)
WLB
1. Joe Bolden (Sr.)
2. Noah Furbush (RS Fr.)
3. Jared Wangler (RS Fr.)
MLB
1. Desmond Morgan (RS Sr.) / Ben Gedeon (Jr.)
3. Chase Winovich (RS Fr.)
SLB
1. James Ross III (Sr.)
2. Royce Jenkins-Stone (Sr.)
3. Michael McCray (RS So.)
4. Allen Gant (RS Jr.)
WCB
1. Jourdan Lewis (Jr.)
2. Terry Richardson (RS Jr.) / Brandon Watson (RS Fr.)
SCB
1. Blake Countess (RS Sr.)
2. Channing Stribling (Jr.)
3. Reon Dawson (RS So.)
rs: Keith Washington (Fr.)
NB
1. Blake Countess (RS Sr.)
2. Jabrill Peppers (RS Fr.) / Brandon Watson (RS Fr.)
FS
1. Jabrill Peppers (RS Fr.)
2. Jeremy Clark (RS Jr.)
rs: Tyree Kinnel (Fr.)
SS
1. Jarrod Wilson (Sr.)
2. Delano Hill (Jr.) / Dymonte Thomas (Jr.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
K
1. Andrew David (Fr.)
P
1. Kenny Allen (RS Jr.)
KO
1. Kenny Allen (RS Jr.)
...note: now tear it apart, I'll make changes if enough people agree with the suggested opinion.
February 4th, 2015 at 4:59 PM ^
Don't see too many weak links. Harbaugh absolutely has more talent than he received going to Stanford. 9-3 or a Brady Hoke 10-2 season if we get all the breaks.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:05 PM ^
February 4th, 2015 at 5:17 PM ^
Both our DEs are undersized with Mario and Lawrence Marshall ahead of them on the side they would be able to play at their current weight. I think Jones is 225ish and JOhnson 220ish. 300 lb OTs would laugh.
Neither is EE. If they show up here next August at 240 lbs maybe 1 will make a case to break in but unless their performance is so good they break into the rotation righ away why piss away a RS season. We've wasted so many RSs on guys who barely play in the past 5 years. We have the luxury of 2 DEs ahead of them at WDE who are older. I see them both taking the Marshall route unless - again- they come into fall camp and just explode.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:20 PM ^
There shouldn't play. They don't have college size. You remember when Craig Roh played as a freshman at like 220? It wasn't always pretty.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:29 PM ^
Unless you are a truly special player like Joey Bosa you should RS as a linemen. Or a dire need - like we had with Pipkins when he showed up here. He probably would have been well served to RS if we didnt need him and instead of having 1 year left in his career, have two. A guy like Mone was big enough right away and we had a need (Glasgow won the job, Pipkins was hurt - beat out).
There is no need to throw 225 DEs out there who have not had a year of S&C program unless you are desperate. Joey Bosa was 270 lbs accoring to rivals coming out of HS. That's not what we have on our hands here.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:54 PM ^
to that position. Maybe he could put 15 to 20 lbs and can play a lot of minutes. I feel like if one gets the starting position then McCray is a good back up and then I can see RJS/Mario splitting the minutes and not relying on a RS Freshman at that position.
February 4th, 2015 at 4:59 PM ^
Also, could there be a transfer or two factor in?
February 4th, 2015 at 5:02 PM ^
Blake Countess won't play CB2 and Nickel but maybe. On a serious note Deveon Smith will be 3rd and there will be a definite change on OL. My guess Glasgow at Center and either Magnuson or Dawson at Guard.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:02 PM ^
February 4th, 2015 at 5:28 PM ^
but I would expect Malzone to get some experience. It probably all depends on how the QB on field performance plays out.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:31 PM ^
I kinda hope they do. That would mean Speight is a legit backup, giving both young guys a chance to learn the offense without burning eligibility.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:48 PM ^
February 4th, 2015 at 8:21 PM ^
I can't just predict that a true freshman is going to come in and start without ever seeing him throw a pass in college.
There is NO reason to burn a redshirt for one of those guys to be a #3 QB, NONE. Not unless the starter is hurt.
Speight has no experience and in mop up duty, you give him ALL the snap except maybe the very last drive in a blowout that goes to a walk-on anyway.
So my thought is basically, the freshman either start or redshirt. With Morris and Speight, there is no real reason for any other option. Either they're good enough to start or they sit the year.
Another fact that some are forgetting...a lot of QBs are redshirting on PURPOSE. Graduate in 3 years so you can transfer and play 2 years somewhere else if you have to. It's the new "it" thing.
So again, if Malzone or Gentry start...great, I'd be happy to change it. But if they're not starting, they should sit the entire year unless the starter is injured.
As for Brian Cole, I absolutely agree...however, it's tough to put him any higher without seeing him. However, I have a feeling that since he's an EE, after spring ball, he'll be right there with Darboh and Chesson.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:02 PM ^
February 4th, 2015 at 9:51 PM ^
He can play all 5 positions. Even though he's a starter, it wouldn't shock me to see him move to another position and fill in for an injured player if needed.
This all assumes that he's not starting a C, because you don't move your starting C (or LT, IMO)
February 5th, 2015 at 2:44 AM ^
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February 4th, 2015 at 5:03 PM ^
February 4th, 2015 at 5:04 PM ^
LB after this year is scary. Going to need a couple home runs there in the '16 class.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:52 PM ^
(Keep hope alive!)
February 4th, 2015 at 5:05 PM ^
LOL. I literally thought at 4:45 PM I bet Yost puts up a depth chart in the next few days.
I was too conservative! ;)
Harbaugh says Cole will be a WR here in the presser - so we need a boatload of Ss next year and CBs (again) in 2016. Glad we got 2 DEs - they both are tweener types that could help Durkin go flex to 3-4 when needed. i.e. more like Mario O/Marshall then like Taco.
I am glad for all the guys we got but the Harrbaugh effect near term helped a lot more on offense than defense - no shock there. The 2016 class has to be loaded with defensive players out of necessity to rebuild the 2017 Defense.
February 4th, 2015 at 8:26 PM ^
...what did you think at 4:46 PM?
February 4th, 2015 at 5:05 PM ^
I didn't realize how thin we were at WR. Not a lot of experience there.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:07 PM ^
Seeing Dymonte Thomas listed with two more years of eligibility still infuriates me. What a waste.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:10 PM ^
February 4th, 2015 at 8:03 PM ^
February 4th, 2015 at 5:06 PM ^
With today's additions, that looks like a really well-stocked cupboard. Much better than most coaches inherit when they take over a program that's in recovery-mode.
I'll be watching next season with an enthusiasm previously unknown to mankind. (Or at least with a keen interest.)
February 4th, 2015 at 5:09 PM ^
I could see a scenario where 0 freshmen play this year. Has that ever happened?
Cole is going to come in similar to Canteen last year but wil have Darboh, Canteen, Ways, Harris, Chesson, D. Jones, (Dukes?) ahead of him. So I dont see a reason to blow a RS with so many similar guys ahead who are older.
I dont see anyone else who really will break a 2 deep out of need - someone will have to really earn it this year.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:11 PM ^
Especially before 1972.
(More recently? I'm not so sure.)
February 4th, 2015 at 5:10 PM ^
...until 1972.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:55 PM ^
During WW2 and at the start of the last century?
February 4th, 2015 at 8:46 PM ^
...but I think in the B1G the prohibition ran from 1906-1972, with a WW2 exception in '43 and '44 and a Korean War exception in the early '50s (not sure how many years, or even if the B1G was one of the conferences with the exception).
February 4th, 2015 at 8:29 PM ^
That would be unfortunate if he didn't earn a starting job.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:07 PM ^
Love the DT talent and depth for the next 2 years. If the ends step up our defense is looking quite menacing.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:09 PM ^
That group has the most room for improvement in my opinion
February 4th, 2015 at 5:25 PM ^
No way to draw any good conclusions about any offensive skill position players after the last two years.
The last staff apparently thought it was cool to spend time teaching guys as small as Canteen how to block like a TE.
I would suggest reserving judgement on them until at least halftime of the Utah game.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:09 PM ^
If Drake Johnson is healthy at the start of the season and isn't RB1 or RB2, then i'll be worried.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:11 PM ^
We should show Roquan Smith Yosts depth chart and let him know there is a 0% chance he wouldn't start in 2016. Wow the LB position is thin after this year.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:24 PM ^
Wait until you see this a year from now and we look ahead to the 2017 team for DTs and DBs. We'll have Hurst, Mone, and Pallante at DT and Kinnel, Watson, Reon Dawson, and the CB we got today as our only DBs.
2016's recruiting class is going to be super top heavy on defensive players. And most will get into the 2 deep immediately in 2017 .
February 4th, 2015 at 7:52 PM ^
I think next year's class is going to get a lot of playing time in 2017
February 4th, 2015 at 10:56 PM ^
February 4th, 2015 at 11:46 PM ^
Yes I am. Did a post 2 weeks ago on what the 35 or so five stars of 2014 did and a lot had huge years. Peppers was top 5, not 20, not 30. If he wasnt elite the next 2 years it would really be below where he was pegged. That doesnt mean he will be but one has to assume he is on that sort of path to leave in 3 years. Of course i'd rather he be here for 4 if he is anywhere near what he is cracked up to be.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:19 PM ^
Living off government cheese with this class. Given our coaching staff, we can expect some excellent football.
February 4th, 2015 at 5:23 PM ^
As you will see, I have been a member for quite a whiile here, and have always sat in the back of the class and listened rather than run my mouth.... Or keyboard... I think this is about post #6 in like 5 years.. Anyway, I need to get to the point where I am "established" enough to create my own thread because there is a question I would like to pose to the MGoBlog Community.
To begin: Thanks Yost for this roster breakdown, its informative and must of took some time. Hats off to you sir.
Now to my question.. I know the first answer to this question is.. "HARBAUGH", yeah, I get it.. And am excited to see what he can do in future "FULL" recruiting classes. But I am a bit worried about something that has happened here during this specific class.. The rise of UCLA... Now here me out, I know the standard rebuttles.. 1. UCLA has been recruiting pretty impressively since Mora, this is nothing new... 2. We had a coaching change, and this year is an outlier... Both of those are legit rebuttles.. But my question is, are those rebuttles all-encompassing of what has happened this year?? Is the fact that UCLA just kicked our ass on "academic" type recruits something to worry about? (other than TWJr, in which nepotism plays a factor)
One of the separating factors that Michigan can always offer is the alumni base and academics that the University brings.. Notre Dame is a rival in that field, Stanfords rising has made them a threat, USC for sure, and Texas to a certain level will always be in play as well... So long story long.... Is the rise of UCLA, another academic institution, being a hardcore player in recruiting, and being from a much more climate friendly area, some thing to be worried about??? Thoughts?
February 4th, 2015 at 5:30 PM ^
I wonder how much of their success is related to Snoop Dogg's son choosing to go there. I mean, if I had a chance to room with Snoop Dogg Jr. and hang out with Snoop, I'd have to at least give that some consideration.
For UCLA, today was a good day. (Yeah, that's an Ice Cube reference, but he was in NWA with Dre who produced Snoop.)
February 4th, 2015 at 5:53 PM ^
True, that is certainly a point I didnt factor in.
February 4th, 2015 at 8:12 PM ^
Remember Diddy's son is at UCLA too. That is a hell of draw for the youths.
February 4th, 2015 at 6:23 PM ^
in the coming years as they were this year. KLS, R. Smith (not over yet!), and maybe even Clark would likely be on the Roster at Michigan given a whole year on the recruiting trail by JH and staff. (BH and staff "ignoring" KLS until late in the process still drives me crazy....and don't get me started on C. Edoga!!)
UCLA being relevant again is a threat to all programs, but I think the weather and location (for west coast kids) are bigger factors than academics. Although it is always given lip-service, I believe that very few top tier recruits have academics in their top 2-3 criteria in choosing a school - number 1 is always path to the NFL. Post grad support services/connections like what M promotes, location. relationships with the staff etc.would all rank higher ime.
Outside of the top 5 and 4-star kids I doubt you will find many kids that will be on both M and UCLA's radar and if these 3-star kids are truly academic focussed then it could become an issue - but I still think the football program and geography (close to home or the weather) will play a larger role.
February 4th, 2015 at 6:32 PM ^
The success that UCLA had today is probably the result of a number of factors. However, it bears a similar resemblance to the success that Ole Miss had a couple years back with Nkemdiche, Tunsil, and Treadwell. For this reason, I think that one of the key driving forces behind UCLA's success today is because players want to play with good players. This isn't to say that Michigan didn't have good players in this year's class or on its current roster. Rather, with guys like Josh Rosen and KLS already committed, recruits will naturally be more open to committing to the same schools (in my view, kids have stronger connections with kids in the same class as them). In the end, I don't think that this is necessarily something that Michigan fans should too worried about in the future. If Harbaugh wants to recruit the best, he is going to have beat the best. UCLA already had a head start with the nation's top ranked QB committed and kids are going to want to play with him. With an even start for next year's class, I'm not sure that UCLA will win the same percentage of recruits over us next year as they did this year (though this doesn't necessarily mean that we'll flip the scipt next year).
February 4th, 2015 at 8:47 PM ^
If one followed the Twitter account of Clark it was easy to see one of his top motivators. It was Rosen. The appeal of the #1 QB of the class throwing him the ball was a strong factor. Guys like Soso Jamabo followed. Rosen was a very out spoken recruiter of the entire class. It steam rolled into a feeding frenzy. None-the-less, I predict Mora will leave for the NFL soon. He is in love with all things NFL. 1-3 more years max. Only time will tell but as of now I see no reason to be alarmed.
February 4th, 2015 at 8:47 PM ^
Is "rebuttle" something a butler does when quits his job as a butler and then changes his mind and comes back?
Jeeves: "Sir?"
Sir: "Yes, Jeeves?"
Jeeves: "I have decided I was too hasty in tendering my resignation. I wish to return to this grand house and be your butler once again. In short, Sir, I wish to rebuttle."
*Sir sobs openly and embraces Jeeves*
exeunt