Technically, everybody gets a pass for the 2020 season when it comes to eligibility. That means that everyone on the 2020 roster would be eligible to return for the 2021 season. The question is, how many will actually return? It will depend on several factors. First, what will the NCAA do with respect to the 85 scholarship limit? If they absolutely waive that limit for the 2021 season then it would make sense to bring back as many contributors as possible and, also, make sure we bring in a large incoming freshman class and several transfers.
Watch List of possible departures after the 2020 season
Likelihood of leaving after the 2020 season (10-highest, 1-lowest)
Players who would have exhausted eligibility after the 2020 season
Note: Not really a long list now that it looks like Nico and Ambry are gone, plus only a select few on the list are no-brainer NFL talents, so perhaps a few will return for that extra year of eligibility)
RB Chris Evans: With Charbonnet, Corum and Haskins we are stockpiled for the future, and I assume he wants to give the NFL a shot sooner rather than later. 7
FB Ben Mason: The type of kid you want to have around the program forever and unsure if he will find a home at the next level. 4
TE Nick Eubanks: Would love to have him back but is probably headed to the league. 7
C Andrew Vasterdis: If he starts all season he may be invited back. If Carpenter gets healthy and beats him out, probably not. Also have Atteberry who is looking good. 6
DT Carlo Kemp: Soldi college player who may have a limited ceiling so not sure that coming back another year necessarily helps…..or hurts. 5
DE Kwity Paye: Future NFL player. 9
S Brad Hawkins: NFL potential and I think that he will leave. 8
PK Quinn Nordin: Will probably want to give the league a shot. There were already rumors that he was considering it this past year. 7
P Will Hart: Interesting one. We would take him back, assuming no 85 cap, but we have Tommy Doman coming in and a solid backup in Brad Robbins. 7
Other players who could leave (Third/Fourth year players only. Too early to be speculating on the frosh and sophs)
Note: They could leave due to declaring early for the NFL draft, grad transferring or simply transferring with remaining undergrad eligibility.
QB Joe Milton: High ceiling but very raw. If he lives up to some people’s expectations and has a monster year he could be gone. I highly doubt it. 3
RB Hassan Haskins: If Charbonnet and Corum pass him up, would he want to stick around for a fourth year as the third wheel (perhaps fourth if we land Edwards). 4
RB Christian Turner: Has already opted out. Fine back who could easily see the ball a lot more elsewhere. 8
WR Ronald Bell: With Nico gone will he be Joe’s go-to guy and will monster numbers tempt him to leave early? 5
TE Luke Schoonmaker: Best served staying. 2
G Andrew Stueber: Don’t forget that he was going toe-to-toe with Mayfield before being hurt. NFL future. 5
T Jalen Mayfield: Lets just say we are lucky to have him back for 2020. 9.5
T Ryan Hayes: Has really filled out and has monster upside, which is both good and bad. 5
G Chuck Filiaga: Was battling to start at OG before Mayfield’s return. I suspect Barnhart will now slide over and win that spot. Could still become a starter in 2021, but could also transfer if others pass him up. 5
T Joel Honigford: Will probably grad transfer to start somewhere. If he breaks through this season he could return. Tough to say. 6
DT Phillip Paea: Has seen little PT thus far. Will likely grad transfer for his fifth year. 8
DT Julius Welschof: Some feel he could break through, if not this year then in 2021. He stays. 2
DE Luiji Vilain: If Aidan and Kwity bolt there is a huge window of opportunity for a healthy Vilain to break through late in his career. 4
DE Aidan Hutchinson: Great Michigan pedigree says he returns for year 4. Talent says he does not. 7
DE Taylor Upshaw: Like Welschof his best football is ahead of him. 3
LB Josh Ross: This one is too close to call. Depends on how he plays this season. 5
LB Cameron McGrone: NFL talent who could well leave early. 7
CB German Green: Window is there to contribute in 2020. If not, he may transfer out. 4
CB Vincent Gray: Talented but a bit raw. Best served to return for a fourth year, but who knows. 4
S Sammy Faustin: 2020 a critical year for him. If passed over by the true frosh he could transfer. 5
S Gemon Green: Not as talented as his twin brother and I doubt he sees the field much this season. Probably a package with his brother. 4
PK Jake Moody: Will return for a fourth year and have the kicking to himself (shhh. Don’t let him see those Doman highlights). 3
P Brad Robbins: If Will Hart leaves will he still return even with Doman coming in? Who knows. 4
Watch List of possible departures after the 2020 season
Likelihood of leaving after the 2020 season (10-highest, 1-lowest)
Players who would have exhausted eligibility after the 2020 season
Note: Not really a long list now that it looks like Nico and Ambry are gone, plus only a select few on the list are no-brainer NFL talents, so perhaps a few will return for that extra year of eligibility)
RB Chris Evans: With Charbonnet, Corum and Haskins we are stockpiled for the future, and I assume he wants to give the NFL a shot sooner rather than later. 7
FB Ben Mason: The type of kid you want to have around the program forever and unsure if he will find a home at the next level. 4
TE Nick Eubanks: Would love to have him back but is probably headed to the league. 7
C Andrew Vasterdis: If he starts all season he may be invited back. If Carpenter gets healthy and beats him out, probably not. Also have Atteberry who is looking good. 6
DT Carlo Kemp: Soldi college player who may have a limited ceiling so not sure that coming back another year necessarily helps…..or hurts. 5
DE Kwity Paye: Future NFL player. 9
S Brad Hawkins: NFL potential and I think that he will leave. 8
PK Quinn Nordin: Will probably want to give the league a shot. There were already rumors that he was considering it this past year. 7
P Will Hart: Interesting one. We would take him back, assuming no 85 cap, but we have Tommy Doman coming in and a solid backup in Brad Robbins. 7
Other players who could leave (Third/Fourth year players only. Too early to be speculating on the frosh and sophs)
Note: They could leave due to declaring early for the NFL draft, grad transferring or simply transferring with remaining undergrad eligibility.
QB Joe Milton: High ceiling but very raw. If he lives up to some people’s expectations and has a monster year he could be gone. I highly doubt it. 3
RB Hassan Haskins: If Charbonnet and Corum pass him up, would he want to stick around for a fourth year as the third wheel (perhaps fourth if we land Edwards). 4
RB Christian Turner: Has already opted out. Fine back who could easily see the ball a lot more elsewhere. 8
WR Ronald Bell: With Nico gone will he be Joe’s go-to guy and will monster numbers tempt him to leave early? 5
TE Luke Schoonmaker: Best served staying. 2
G Andrew Stueber: Don’t forget that he was going toe-to-toe with Mayfield before being hurt. NFL future. 5
T Jalen Mayfield: Lets just say we are lucky to have him back for 2020. 9.5
T Ryan Hayes: Has really filled out and has monster upside, which is both good and bad. 5
G Chuck Filiaga: Was battling to start at OG before Mayfield’s return. I suspect Barnhart will now slide over and win that spot. Could still become a starter in 2021, but could also transfer if others pass him up. 5
T Joel Honigford: Will probably grad transfer to start somewhere. If he breaks through this season he could return. Tough to say. 6
DT Phillip Paea: Has seen little PT thus far. Will likely grad transfer for his fifth year. 8
DT Julius Welschof: Some feel he could break through, if not this year then in 2021. He stays. 2
DE Luiji Vilain: If Aidan and Kwity bolt there is a huge window of opportunity for a healthy Vilain to break through late in his career. 4
DE Aidan Hutchinson: Great Michigan pedigree says he returns for year 4. Talent says he does not. 7
DE Taylor Upshaw: Like Welschof his best football is ahead of him. 3
LB Josh Ross: This one is too close to call. Depends on how he plays this season. 5
LB Cameron McGrone: NFL talent who could well leave early. 7
CB German Green: Window is there to contribute in 2020. If not, he may transfer out. 4
CB Vincent Gray: Talented but a bit raw. Best served to return for a fourth year, but who knows. 4
S Sammy Faustin: 2020 a critical year for him. If passed over by the true frosh he could transfer. 5
S Gemon Green: Not as talented as his twin brother and I doubt he sees the field much this season. Probably a package with his brother. 4
PK Jake Moody: Will return for a fourth year and have the kicking to himself (shhh. Don’t let him see those Doman highlights). 3
P Brad Robbins: If Will Hart leaves will he still return even with Doman coming in? Who knows. 4
