A Brief Look At Our 0.00% Accurate '26-'27 Football Depth Chart

[TruthBurns]

Okay, let's get a few things out of the way...

1. Yes, I am aware we haven't even played the 2025 season. Thanks for the reminder.
2. Yes, I know there is a 0.00% chance this will be accurate. That isn't the point of the exercise. However, I apologize if there are any mistakes on eligibility (FYI - don't say Caleb Anderson, he could get a medical 6th year).
3. So why did I take the time to put it together? Well...because I like to look ahead to see what holes we need to fill in recruiting and through the transfer portal.
4. Speaking of the transfer portal (and the NFL Draft), I'm well aware that we're going to lose guys...but this will help you see where we need to push to keep guys. For example, if Hill and/or Berry are looking like Day 2 draft picks after this season, throw the bag at one or both and try to keep them like Derrick Moore and Jaishawn Barham this season.
5. 2025 will be a interesting year because it's a year that several guys will break out, there are more opportunities to step into a big time role this year compared to any other season since 2021. 2026 could be full of guys with experience.

Don't worry about where guys are listed, focus on position groups (sorry, I love Prieskorn too...but I really don't care if he's the #3 or #5 listed TE for a fake depth chart 2 years in advance).

Now looking ahead, just at a high-level...if you account for natural player progression, based on expected playing time in 2025, Michigan could be LOADED in 2026!


QB: Bryce Underwood
2. Jadyn Davis
3. Brady Smigiel
4. Chase Herbstreit

RB: Jordan Marshall
2. Micah Kaapana
3. CJ Hester
4. Bryson Kuzdzal
5. Donovan Johnson / Jasper Parker

WR: Fredrick Moore
2. Jamar Browder
3. Kendrick Bell

WR: Channing Goodwin
2. Andrew Marsh
3. Jacob Washington

SLOT: Semaj Morgan
2. I'Marion Stewart
3. Jaylen Pile

H-BACK: Jalen Hoffman
2. Eli Owens

TE: Marlin Klein
2. Hogan Hansen
3. Zach Marshall
4. Deakon Tonielli / Brady Prieskorn

LT: Andrew Babalola
2. Blake Frazier

LG: Evan Link
2. Lawrence Hatter / Luke Hamilton
4. Bear McWhorter

C: Brady Norton
2. Jake Guarnera
3. Kaden Strayhorn

RG: Nathan Efobi
2. Ben Roebuck / Avery Gach
4. Brooks Bahr

RT: Andrew Sprague
2. Ty Haywood
3. Connor Jones

6OL: Blake Frazier

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

DT: Trey Pierce
2. Manuel Beigal
3. Travis Moten
4. Ted Hammond
5. Bobby Kanka

DT: Deyvid Palepale
2. Manuel Beigal
3. Travis Moten
4. Ted Hammond
5. Bobby Kanka

DE/DT: Enow Etta
2. Chibi Anwunah
3. Benny Patterson

EDGE: Cameron Brandt
2. Devon Baxter
3. Nate Marshall

ILB: Jimmy Rolder
2. Troy Bowles
3. Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng
4. Chase Taylor
5. Zach Ludwig

ILB: Cole Sullivan
2. Troy Bowles
3. Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng
4. Chase Taylor
5. Zach Ludwig

EDGE/OLB: Dominic Nichols
2. Julius Holly
3. Lugard Edokpayi
4. Tariq Boney

CB: Jyaire Hill
2. Shamari Earls
3. Jo'Ziah Edmond
4. Caleb Anderson
5. Jeremiah Lowe
6. Jayden Sanders / Tevis Metcalf
8. Brody Jennings

CB: Zeke Berry
2. Shamari Earls
3. Jo'Ziah Edmond
4. Caleb Anderson
5. Jeremiah Lowe
6. Jayden Sanders / Tevis Metcalf
8. Brody Jennings

NB: TJ Metcalf
2. Mason Curtis
3. Jordan Young
4. Kainoa Winston

S: Jaden Mangham / Mason Curtis
3. Jacob Oden
4. Elijah Dotson

S: Brandyn Hillman
2. Jaden Mangham / Mason Curtis
3. Jacob Oden
4. Elijah Dotson

K: Beckham Sunderland

P: Hudson Hollenbeck / Luke Bauer

---------------------------------------------
Key Takeaways

• Let's go to fantasy world for 2 seconds...imagine no one leaves (again, impossible) ‐ there are only a few glaring holes or question marks.
• RB2 - I think we would be fine if we just returned everyone, but in a perfect world, we'd bring in a bruising power back to add to the room. Hiter slots into this spot nicely. Alford has to close the deal.
• C - I put Brady Norton there because he literally said he'd do it in his last presser. Ultimately, this is probably PRIORITY ONE in the portal. @Aidan Sen - do we have any targets at C? It won't help us for next year, but we should consider adding someone.
• DT - We have Etta, so I'd put DT as priority #3. Pierce, Palepale, Etta should make a fine combo in two years. One clear NT, one clear traditional DT, one clear penetrate/disrupter. It would be nice to have a grad transfer with experience. We definitely need recruits as well.
• K - this is PRIORITY ONE if Norton can really play C (I don't see Guarnera being ready until 2027).

That would be it. That's not a lot when it comes to roster holes. Maybe add a veteran WR.

A lot has to go our way, but Michigan could...maybe even should, legitimately be in the national championship conversation once again in 2026/27.

Recruiting Needs (not counting commits*)

• An Alex Orji type QB would be nice.
• Hiter is a must
• Sadler is a must
• A big bodied WR
• A tall lanky deep threat WR (Cornelius Johnson type)
• H-Back
• TE
• LT
• C
• RT
• (2) EDGEs
• (2) LBs
• CB* (going to assume we lose Jennings)
• (2) Ss
• K
• P

NOW...Back to reality!!!

 

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