Annual "WAAAY Too Early" Depth Chart ('16-'17)

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

Notes.

 

  1. I don't remove RS Sr's even though we know some of these guys aren't coming back - I don't predict transfers either (at least not on the depth chart)
  2. Odds say we're going to lose a RS Sr. that could actually contribute this year - not sure who, but it wouldn't shock me.
  3. I've got Jeremy Clark as the first CB or S off the bench. Gant as the first LB in James Ross' current role.
  4. I have no idea what happens at LB.
  5. I broke out the TEs - You've got Butt's spot and the Hill and Wheatley replacing AJ Williams' spot.

Depth Chart? Depth Chart.

QB
1. Shane Morris (RS Jr.) / John O'Korn (RS Jr.)
3. Wilton Speight (RS So.) / Alex Malzone (RS Fr.)
5. Zach Gentry (RS Fr.)
rs: Brandon Peters (Fr.)
rs: Vic Viramontes (Fr.)

RB
1. De'Veon Smith (Sr.) 
2. Derrick Green (Sr.) / Ty Isaac (RS Jr.) / Drake Johnson (RS Sr.)
5. Karan Higdon (So.)
rs: Kingston Davis (Fr.)
rs: Kiante Enis (Fr.)

FB / H-Back
1. Henry Poggi (RS Jr.)
2. Wyatt Shallman (RS Jr.)
3. Chase Winovich (RS So.)

WR1
1. Amara Darboh (RS Sr.)
2. Drake Harris (RS So.)
3. Ahmir Mitchell (Fr.)
4. Jaron Dukes (RS Jr.)

WR2
1. Jehu Chesson (RS Sr.)
2. Maurice Ways (RS So.)
3. Da'Mario Jones (Sr.) / Brad Hawkins (Fr.)

SLOT
1. Grant Perry (So.)
2. Freddy Canteen (Jr.) 
rs: Chris Evans (Fr.)

TE1
1. Jake Butt (Sr.)
2. Ian Bunting (RS So.)
rs: Sean McKeon (Fr.)

TE2
1. Khalid Hill (RS Jr.)
2. Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (RS Fr.)

LT
1. Mason Cole (Jr.)
2. Grant Newsome (So.)
rs: Erik Swenson (Fr.)

LG
1. Ben Braden (RS Sr.)
2. David Dawson (RS Jr.)
3. Juwan Bushell-Beatty (RS So.)
rs: Ben Bredeson (Fr.)

C
1. Patrick Kugler (RS Jr.) / David Dawson (RS Jr.)
3. Jon Runyan Jr. (RS Fr.)

RG
1. Kyle Kalis (RS Sr.)
2. David Dawson (RS Jr.)
3. Juwan Bushell-Beatty (RS So.)
rs: Michael Onwenu (Fr.)

RT
1. Erik Magnuson (RS Sr.) 
2. Blake Bars (RS Sr.)
3. Nolan Ulizio (RS Fr.)
rs: Devery Hamilton (Fr.)

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

DE (BUCK)
1. Taco Charlton (Sr.)
2. Lawrence Marshall (RS So.)
3. Shelton Johnson (RS Fr.) / Reuben Jones (RS Fr.)
rs: Carlo Kemp (Fr.)
rs: Ron Johnson (Fr.)

DT
1. Ryan Glasgow (RS Sr.)
2. Bryan Mone (RS So.)
3. Brady Pallante (RS So.)
rs: Jordan Elliott (Fr.)

DT
1. Willie Henry (RS Sr.)
2. Maurice Hurst (RS Jr.)
3. Matt Godin (RS Sr.)

DE
1. Chris Wormley (RS Sr.)
2. Taco Charlton (Sr.)
3. Tom Strobel (RS Sr.)
rs: Rashad Weaver (Fr.)

LB
1. Ben Gedeon (Sr.)
2. Jared Wangler (RS So.)
rs: Dytarious Johnson (Fr.)

LB
1. Michael McCray (RS Jr.)
2. Allen Gant (RS Sr.) 
3. Noah Furbush (RS So.) / David Reese (Fr.)

WCB
1. Jourdan Lewis (Sr.)
2. Keith Washington (RS Fr.)
3. Terry Richardson (RS Sr.)
rs: Antwaine Richardson (Fr.)

SCB
1. Channing Stribling (Sr.)
2. Jeremy Clark (RS Sr.)
3. Reon Dawson (RS Jr.) / Freddy Canteen (Jr.) 
rs: Sir Patrick Scott (Fr.)

NB
1. Jabrill Peppers (RS So.)
2. Tyree Kinnel (So.)
3. Brandon Watson (RS So.)

S
1. Dymonte Thomas (Sr.)
2. Jeremy Clark (RS Sr.) / Brian Cole (So.)
rs: Josh Metellus (Fr.)

S
1. Delano Hill (Sr.)
2. Jeremy Clark (RS Sr.)
rs: Devin Gil (Fr.)

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

K
1. Kenny Allen (RS Sr.)
2. Andrew David (RS Fr.)

P
1. Kenny Allen (RS Sr.)

KO
1. Kenny Allen (RS Sr.)
2. Andrew David (RS Fr.)

 

As always, tear it up and I'll make changes if your opinion is "seconded."

 

MGoBoard
Football
Mr. Yost
'16-'17 Depth Chart

Danwillhor

November 29th, 2015 at 3:13 AM ^

could be on roster or soon to be. I just know this staff will demand a run attack in year 2. This years output can't be accepted again. They know that. Peppers would be my guess if we have a defensive replacement that's even 75% as good. Yet, could be Higdon or anyone that can quickly hit the holes created and create when not. Smith is a guy that gets 3 out of 1 and 3 out of 10. His lack of burst and vision hurt his production and therefore the team's production. He's meant to be the bruiser change of pace HB, IMO.

Joined: 12/02/2008

MGoPoints: 8609

SBayBlue

November 29th, 2015 at 12:44 AM ^

Watching Kyle Kalis play? Good god, I'm really hoping he moves on, even though he has more experience than the backups. He is extremely slow, and gets beaten a lot, not to mention all the false starts.

Joined: 06/29/2015

MGoPoints: 3605

MotownGoBlue

November 29th, 2015 at 1:38 AM ^

I cringe equally watching Ben Braden play. There's something about pad level, the ability to drive opponents, sustain blocks and play mistake free football they just aren't able to comprehend and execute. Magnuson is a slightly above average RT, imo. He doesn't seem to make many mistakes but I really don't see him manhandling pass rushers either. Cole is a better fit as an interior lineman. He's got All-Big Ten potential there. Looking forward to the day when we can run the ball again. The effort it takes to gain 2-3 yards is painful.

Joined: 08/09/2014

MGoPoints: 25350

Danwillhor

November 29th, 2015 at 3:16 AM ^

earlier in the year when I stated that he was officially a bust. I still think that. He absolutely hasn't been half the OL we all thought he'd be. I doubt it clicks next year. He'll start but he's the definition of average, if not worse. No push, constant mental errors, liability in pass-pro, etc. It's just the truth as I'm sure he's a good guy and tries! Nothing personal but he isn't a very good OL.

Joined: 12/02/2008

MGoPoints: 8609

DrMantisToboggan

November 29th, 2015 at 2:32 AM ^

BlueinLansing hot take instructions:

1. Suggest that the best defensive coordinator in the country for 10 games is expendable.
2. Assume we are losing a 37 year old guy who left Florida to be with Jim, to Maryland - a shit program in the same division (!!!) as Jim, after just one year.
3. Spell his name "Dirken"

One of the hotter takes I've read today sir. Congrats.



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bacon1431

November 29th, 2015 at 12:51 AM ^

Love seeing all those RS next to incoming freshmen's names. May not happen exactly as we plan, but it'll be nice getting back to RS most of classes. How you build depth and easier transitions from turnover on a year to year basis



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maizedNblued

November 29th, 2015 at 1:30 AM ^

OSU exploited two major areas - lack of depth along our D-line (hence up-tempo) and our lack of speed/athleticism at LB (hence freeze-option with zone blocking). D-line, a strength all year, ran out of gas and our LB's were forced to make snap decisions in space against much quicker/athletic/explosive players. I wouldn't be surprised to see changes to get more speed on the defensive side of the ball or graduate transfers come in to fill voids. If the backups were good enough, they would have received more reps. Also wouldn't surprise me to see less LBs playing next year but instead more down lineman with Peppers and more athletic types closer to the line. Unless we get some stud LB recruits, I don't see many other options.

Joined: 11/25/2009

MGoPoints: 2137

Danwillhor

November 29th, 2015 at 3:20 AM ^

top level recruits. That sounds obvious and "duh" but we can't afford too many guys that need a few years to develop. We need those guys to develop behind the Gary, Nauta, etc types. We need starters immediately and you just can't win throwing out a team full of freshman players that should be redshirting. Recruiting has to be huge this year and next.

Joined: 12/02/2008

MGoPoints: 8609

pearlw

November 29th, 2015 at 6:09 AM ^

Is McCray even practicing? Its hard to have any confidence that the guy will start at LB when he hasnt played a down all year...for an injury that is somewhat unknown other than being some sort of upper body injury.



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Goggles Paisano

November 29th, 2015 at 6:20 AM ^

I think Smith moves to FB next year.  He is just too slow to be the TB this offense needs. His skillset fits nicely for the FB position.  He can block, catch passes, doesn't fumble, and plays with a nasty edge.  

Joined: 07/30/2011

MGoPoints: 41232

michgoblue

November 29th, 2015 at 8:52 AM ^

I was just about to post the exact same thing. To me, with his lack of speed, and his ample power and blocking ability, Smith has the skill set that screams fullback", especially in this offense. Harbaugh loves to get the FB involved in the offense, both in terms of direct snaps and even a few passes. Smith's RB experience will make him deadly in that spot. It would almost be like having two fully operational RB on every play (as opposed to a RB and a blockey RB). If this happens, I would hope that the RB is more of a slasher that can compliment smith.

Joined: 11/16/2009

MGoPoints: 32178

AC1997

November 29th, 2015 at 7:25 AM ^

After I stare at the void on the depth chart beyond Gedeon I came up with a solution. We just run a 5-1-5 defense! OK, I am joking, but our DL depth is going to be outstanding. While we clearly had issues with IU and OSU involving talent and scheme, it sucks that we didn't have three of our DL available for them, including our best space eaters at NT and our best edge defender at DE.

Joined: 09/19/2008

MGoPoints: 13824

maize-blue

November 29th, 2015 at 9:13 AM ^

Plenty of opportunity for stud LB and RB recruits to come in and immediately challenge for playing time. If we don't get some upgrades in those positions the 2016 squad will probably look a lot like this current version.

Joined: 01/10/2013

MGoPoints: 44662

Jevablue

November 29th, 2015 at 9:14 AM ^

But this is not a bare cupboard. And the folks that could make the jump to the NFL could all be argued to be much more compelling candidates after one more year with Harbaugh.  I could see this team taking the next step up next year.  And the evil twins are poised to take bigger hits.  

I'm fine with this. Go Blue.

Joined: 11/05/2011

MGoPoints: 2978

Blarvey

November 29th, 2015 at 11:51 AM ^

One thing that I have not seen on defense this year is any building of depth. The DL today is some of the same guys rotating in against Akron, UConn, PSU, MSU, and OSU back in 2013. Same with Jourdan Lewis, Dymonte Thomas, and Channing Stribling.

On defense this season it seemed to be mostly the starters, the whole game. I don't know if it is worth it for some of these guys to get snaps in the 4th against Rutgers or Oregon State, or if it is better to keep them off until they are needed.

The offense seemed to use a lot of 1st and 2nd year players like Perry, Cole, Peppers, Bunting, Higdon, Newsome, Ways, and Harris. Outside of Peppers and a little bit of Brandon Watson, I didn't see any other young guys play much on defense. I saw Kinnel, Furbush, and Brian Cole on special teams.

Next year is stacked and where we should be excited as fans. The following year, however, is all about what happens to the 14, 15, and 16 classes. The DL and OL will almost certainly be mostly freshmen and sophomores as will the backs. I think it would be a good sign if we start to see somebody breakout next year that is part of the last two classes, and hopefully get some freshman that can play immediately.

Joined: 11/21/2011

MGoPoints: 3473

GoBlue C4

November 29th, 2015 at 11:04 AM ^

A slightly easier look but with some more projections. QB- 1. O'Korn 2. Gentry 3. Speight RB- 1. Walker 2. Johnson 3. Smith 4. Higdon FB/ H back- 1. Smith 2. Poggi 3. Shallman WR1- 1. Chesson 2. Harris WR2- 1. Darboh 2. Ways Slot- 1. Perry 2. Fr. TE1- 1. Butt 2. Bunting TE2- 1. Hill 2. Wheatley LT- Newsome / Cole LG- Braden / Dawson C- Cole / Kugler RG- Kalis / Dawson RT- Magnuson / Cole / Bars Buck- 1. Charleton 2. Marshall 3. Jones DT- 1. Henry 2. Hurst NT- 1. Glasgow 2. Mone DE- 1. Wormley 2. Gary / Godin LB- 1. Gedeon 2. Furbush 3. Fr. LB- 1. McCray 2. Winovich 3. Wrangler NB- 1. Peppers 2. Kinnel WCB- 1. Lewis 2. Watson SCB- 1. Clark 2. Stibling S- 1. Thomas 2. Cole S- 1. Hill 2. Kinnel K/P- 1. Allen 2. David -Getting Gary and Walker is HUGE in this class. -Oline improvement is more important than LB. - If O'Korn is an upgrade over Rudock Michigan has a good shot at the final 4. - Go Blue!

Joined: 08/02/2015

MGoPoints: 765

Harboner35

November 29th, 2015 at 11:11 AM ^

Nobody thinks that any of the incoming OLineman can crack the starting 5? This is a big time OLine class coming in, and given the fact that our line has been soft for the most part, none of those big recruits could possibly start right away? If not, that scares me

Joined: 11/21/2015

MGoPoints: -153

Mgodiscgolfer

November 29th, 2015 at 11:34 AM ^

at that position. The DL is a position that can take its toll on a players health so the deeper the position the better. It looks like next year will be fun looking at the depth chart.  Lots and lots of upper classmen means less bone headed mistakes. You know, running a bad route, missing assignments, hitting some one out of bounds, tailbacks running into pile of humanity instead of around said pile. Clark won't be picked on so much or he will pick off the QB's pass. The O lineman won't get beat so easily while we have a QB who can throw downfield. I believe taking this team from 5-7 last year to 9-3 this year without having a bowl practice the previous year is nothing short of remarkable. So I have to ask, what do the coaches have in store for us next year?

When we have a Harbaugh QB running the offense we will be amazed at how well this season has gone. Coach molded a 5th year QB who was in his first year under Harbaughs system and really never scared any team with the long ball. When you know all passing will be within 20 yards of the line of scrimmage that in itself makes the safeties and corners have a much easier day knowing that if they do get beat the pass most likely won't reach them or it will be too long. To be able to throw the ball deep and accurate is very scary for corners who know if they get beat it would most likely result in 7 points and a long lecture on the bench. Ask the Michigan DB's they should know better than most when they got beat the ball was right there for the wideout to make a spectacular catch. Must be nice.

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