QB
John O’Korn, RJr (6-3/210) ...OR… Wilton Speight, RSo (6-6/240)
Shane Morris, RJr (6-3/210)
Alex Malzone, RFr (6-1/225) ...OR… Brandon Peters, RS (6-4/215)
Harbaugh has earned the expectation of good QB play until proven otherwise. He now has QBs drafted from three different schools. Last year Jake Rudock arrived in June after getting benched at Iowa. By January, Rudock held Michigan’s second-highest single season passing total. Whoever starts in 2016 will have a year’s experience in Harbaugh’s/Fisch’s system. Most Michigan fans hope John O’Korn wins the job over Wilton Speight. O’Korn has better upside -- arm strength, accuracy, mobility, and improvisational skills. He also has more game experience -- starting a year at Houston before losing his job to Greg Ward and transferring to Michigan. His relative liabilities are decision-making and pocket presence. Hopefully some of that will develop with more snaps. In contrast, Speight is more of a game manager. He has better pocket presence than O’Korn and knows the offense. Last year he led a game-winning drive at Minnesota after Rudock got injured. Speight is a physical giant with underrated athleticism, though not as quick as O’Korn. Despite Speight’s size advantage, he has a weaker arm and less accuracy on his deep throws. Michigan will probably need more than a game manager to compete for a conference title. Behind those two, Shane Morris is a former 7-on-7 all-star with a 5* arm and 2* touch, accuracy, and decision-making. He’s hanging around to get his degree and then play somewhere else in 2017 as a grad transfer. Alex Malzone will be a career bench warmer. Brandon Peters is expected to compete for the QB job in 2017 or 2018. He’ll redshirt.
WR
Jehu Chesson, 5th (6-3/200) ...AND… Amara Darboh, 5th (6-2/215)
Grant Perry, So (6-0/185) ...OR… Maurice Ways, RSo (6-3/210)
Drake Harris (6-4/185) ...OR… Dylan Crawford, Fr (6-0/185)
Ahmir Mitchell, Fr (6-3/205) ...OR… Eddie McDoom, Fr (5-11/170) ...OR… Nate Johnson, Fr (5-11/170)
Michigan returns their top 5 WRs from last season. Chesson and Darboh should be one of the best WR duos in the country. Chesson is a tall, fast, deep threat. Rudock and Chesson found a rhythm at the end of 2015, hooking up for 500 yards and 6 TDs in the last 4 games. He can be a high NFL pick with a big season. Darboh is a physical possession receiver with average speed. Michigan will be looking for a couple other WRs to emerge, as Darboh/Chesson were by far the two leading receivers last year. Grant Perry was the #3 WR as a true freshman. He’s a chain-moving slot receiver. Perry will continue to improve but doesn’t have the athleticism to be dominant. Moe Ways had a great spring before breaking his foot. His game is similar to Darboh’s. Supposedly he’s back running again. Drake Harris is a former high-rated WR recruit who has struggled with injuries, putting on muscle, and consistency. He has shown flashes of talent but 2016 will be do-or-die for his career at Michigan. Dylan Crawford is a true freshman already making noise.
RB
DeVeon Smith, Sr (5-11/225)
Ty Isaac, RJr (6-2/230) ...OR… Drake Johnson, 5th (6-0/210)
Kareem Walker, Fr (6-0/210) ...OR… Karan Higdon, So (5-10/190) ...OR… Kingston Davis, Fr (6-1/235)
Chris Evans, Fr (5-11/195)
The expectation here is continued mediocrity unless Ty Isaac lives up to his potential. While not terrible, RB is a position where Michigan is comparatively weaker than other top teams. There’s no Fournette, McCaffrey, Cook, Freeman, or whatever freak Bama trots out this year. But Michigan at least has experienced depth. DeVeon Smith should retain his starting position. Smith is a chain-mover who runs violently, breaks tackles, and sets the tone for the rest of the offense. He’s also painfully slow. Smith can’t make guys miss or outrun defenders, vertically or laterally. Ty Isaac, a USC transfer, is the most talented of the RBs. He’s big, agile, and has good speed. Unfortunately he has spent time in Harbaugh’s doghouse for playing like a bitch. Isaac reportedly had a good spring and broke off a couple nice runs in the spring game. If that trend continues, then Isaac and Smith could be a 1-2 punch. The potential is clearly there but also impossible to depend on. Drake Johnson is a former high school track star who has battled injuries -- two torn ACLs and, most recently, getting run over by goddamn forklift. While not the most agile, Johnson has excellent straight line speed and scored a few TDs in the bowl game. Behind the seniors are a sophomore and three true freshman. Though playing time is available for anyone who can be above average, my 2016 expectations for the underclassmen are low. Karan Higdon got a few touches as a freshman but did absolutely nothing with them. Kareem Walker and Kingston Davis enrolled early but didn’t produce any “holy shit this new guy is too good not to play” spring reports.
FB
Henry Poggi, RJr (6-4/265) ...OR… Khalid Hill, RJr (6-2/260)
Bobby Henderson, 5th (5-11/240) - w/o
Wyatt Shallman, RJr (6-3/245)
At Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan, we grade fullbacks. Unfortunately Sione Houma and Joe Kerridge, Michigan’s top two FB from last year, graduated. Henry Poggi and Khalid Hill move over from tight end / H-back to fill the void. Blocking shouldn’t be a problem. However, Houma/Kerridge had about 250 rushing yards last year that Poggi/Hill can’t reproduce. The bulk of the FB carries will probably come from 5th year walk-on Bobby Henderson. Wyatt Shallman is a useless clown.
TE
Jake Butt, Sr (6-6/250)
Ian Bunting, RSo (6-7/250) ...OR… Tyrone Wheatley Jr, RFr (6-6/275)
Zach Gentry, RFr (6-7/240) ...OR… Devin Asiasi, Fr (6-4/270) ...OR… Sean McKeon, Fr (6-5/240)
Nick Eubanks, Fr (6-5/220)
Michigan’s TE group will be among the most productive in the country. Jake Butt spurned the NFL to return for his senior year. Butt has strong hands, a huge catch radius, and a knack for getting open. Ian Bunting and Tyrone Wheatley are two large human beings who will get a lot more playing time in 2016 after the graduation of AJ Williams. Bunting’s game is similar to Butt’s. Wheatley looks like a tackle but can run. FBs Poggi and Hill may get some snaps at TE as well. Zach Gentry is a converted dual-threat QB. He’s tall and athletic but needs more time in the weight room to be an impact player. Sean McKeon is an EE, and Devin Asiasi comes in this fall with a college-ready body. Nick Eubanks will likely redshirt.
OL
LT Grant Newsome --- LG Ben Braden --- C Mason Cole --- RG Kyle Kalis --- RT Erik Magnuson
OL Mason Cole, Jr (6-5/305)
G/T Ben Braden, 5th (6-6/320) ...OR… G/T Erik Magnuson, 5th (6-6/305) … OR… G Kyle Kalis, 5th (6-5/305)
T Grant Newsome, So (6-7/300)
G/C Patrick Kugler, RJr (6-5/300) ...OR... G David Dawson, RJr (6-4/215) ...OR... G/T Ben Bredeson, Fr (6-4/300) ...OR... G Jon Runyan Jr, RFr (6-4/305)
G/T Nolan Ulizio, RFr (6-5/290) ...OR… G/T Juwann Bushell-Beatty, RSo (6-5/325) ...OR... G Michael Onwenu, Fr (6-3/360)
G Stephen Spanellis, Fr (6-5/315)
Michigan’s OL should be good, yet disappointing. The disappointing aspect is that Hoke, at least on paper, recruited OL really well. That set an expectation of dominance that this group will probably fail to live up to. Still, there’s a lot to like here. There’s a ton of experience -- over 100 combined starts. With coaching consistency (finally), the OL should continue to improve. Switching away from a pure zone scheme caused some setbacks in the run game last year. After 15 additional practices, they looked better in the bowl game against a tough Florida front. Cole is both the best and most versatile of the group. He started at LT as a true freshman and sophomore but will slide to center to replace Graham Glasgow (NFL). Cole never had ideal length for LT, so Grant Newsome will take over there. As a freshman, Newsome played in three-tackle sets and notched a start. Braden is built like a 1st round pick but doesn’t play like one. Kalis and Magnuson were former elite recruits who have not played up their hype. Patrick Kugler is the back-up center and probably the first guy off the bench if a guard goes down. Kugler struggled with nagging injuries early in his career but finally seems healthy. David Dawson, Jon Runyan Jr, and Ben Bredeson are probably the next guys up. Bredeson and Runyan are young players expected to push for starting jobs in a year’s time. Dawson is a more experienced guy with all the physical tools who just hasn’t put it together yet. Nolan Ulizio and Juwann Bushell-Beatty are projects.
Defense
Despite late-season breakdowns against Indiana and Ohio State, the 2015 Michigan defense finished in the top 5/10 in scoring and yards. The 2016 defense should be even better with 10 starters in their 4th or 5th years. The DL and DBs should be particularly strong. Last year’s DC DJ Durkin is now coaching Maryland and is replaced by Boston College DC Don Brown. Brown’s defense finished 2015 ranked #1 in total defense despite having Boston College-level talent.
NT
Graham Glasgow, 5th (6-4/300) ...OR... Bryan Mone, RSo (6-4/320)
Michael Dwumfour, Fr (6-2/285)
DT
Maurice Hurst, RJr (6-2/285) ...OR... Chris Wormley, 5th (6-5/300)
Matt Godin, 5th (6-6/290)
Brady Pallante, RSo (6-1/280)
SDE
Chris Wormley, 5th (6-5/300) ...OR... Rashan Gary, Fr (6-4/290)
Lawrence Marshall, RSo (6-4/270)
Carlo Kemp, Fr (6-3/260)
WDE
Taco Charlton, Sr (6-6/280)
Chase Winovich, RSo (6-3/245)
Carlo Kemp, Fr (6-3/260) ...OR... Reuben Jones, RFr (6-3/225)
Ron Johnson, Fr (6-4/225)
Michigan’s DL should be one of very best in the country and in school history. It’s big, talented, deep, and experienced. Nose tackles Ryan Glasgow and Bryan Mone both return from injury. Mone has NFL talent and massive size. He missed all of 2015 with a leg injury. Ryan Glasgow, like his brother, is an unusually good former walk-on. Last year he was arguably Michigan’s most dominant lineman until a mid-season injury. Consequently, the run defense dramatically suffered against Indiana and Ohio State. Maurice Hurst, Chris Wormley, and Matt Godin will handle the 3-tech position. Hurst is undersized but disruptive. Wormley can be elite and will alternate between SDE and DT depending on need and personnel. DT Matt Godin is a competent veteran who can spell the starters without much letdown. #1 recruit Rashan Gary is expected to contend for the starting job at SDE. Players are raving about his athleticism. Gary, along with Lawrence Marshall’s emerging an option at SDE, allow Taco Charlton to move back to WDE. If there was a weakness to last year’s DL, it was QB pressure. Charlton at WDE should help address that issue. So should Chase Winovich, who reportedly had a big off-season.
ILB
Ben Gedeon, Sr (6-3/245) ...OR... Mike McCray, RJr (6-3/240)
Devin Bush, Fr (5-11/230) ...OR… Noah Furbush, RSo (6-4/240)
Elysee Mbem-Bosse, Fr (6-2/230) ...OR… Devin Gil, Fr (6-0/215) ...OR… Jared Wangler, RSo (6-2/230)
SLB
Jabrill Peppers, RSo (6-0/215)
Noah Furbush, RSo (6-4/240)
Jared Wangler, RSo (6-2/230) ...OR… Josh Uche, Fr (6-2/220)
The LBs will be the weakest unit in Michigan’s defense. While the starters have the potential to be better than last year’s, depth will be a huge concern. Gone are multi-year starters Joe Bolden, Desmond Morgan, and James Ross. DC Don Brown will move around Jabrill Peppers, sometimes playing him at LB to take advantage of his physicality and speed at the LOS (as well as to limit his relative weakness in coverage). Peppers should be a huge upgrade over Ross. Compared to 2015, the 2016 inside LBs trade experience for athleticism. Gedeon/McCray are both bigger and faster than the departed Morgan/Bolden. However, that’s been true for a while. While McCray has struggled with injuries, Gedeon failed to supplant the mediocre play of Morgan/Bolden. Maybe shit will finally come together for him as a senior. Maybe Don Brown is a LB whisperer. Or maybe Gedeon is just a better athlete than LB. As far as the aforementioned lack of depth, it’s basically Noah Furbush and a bunch of true freshmen. Furbush gets the most reps at SLB against bigger teams. He may slide inside in case of a starter’s injury. Devin Bush enrolled early and looks like a guy who will be good in 2017 -- makes plays but struggles with consistency. Elysee Mbem-Bosse has college-ready size but who knows about the rest. Devin Gil and Josh Uche should ideally redshirt. Jared Wangler is a useless legacy.
S
Jabrill Peppers, RSo (6-0/215) ...AND/OR… Dymonte Thomas, Sr (6-1/195) ...AND/OR… Delano Hill, Sr (6-0/210)
Tyree Kinnel, So (5-11/200) ...OR… Jeremy Clark, 5th (6-3/210)
Khaleke Hudson, Fr (5-11/200)
Josh Metellus, Fr (6-0/185)
CB
Jourdan Lewis, Sr (5-10/175) ...AND… Channing Stribling, Sr (6-2/180)
Jeremy Clark, 5th (6-3/210)
David Long, Fr (5-10/175) ...OR… Keith Washington, RFr (6-1/170) ...OR… Brandon Watson, RSo (5-11/190)
Lavert Hill, Fr (5-10/175)
Michigan’s secondary should be excellent. Dependable but unspectacular safety Jarrod Wilson is the only major loss from last year. Jabrill Peppers will play a hybrid safety-linebacker role and get moved around a lot. Athletic senior safeties Dymonte Thomas and Delano Hill rotated heavily last year and will assume starting roles this year. Tyree Kinnel is a promising sophomore who probably starts in 2017. Jeremy Clark primarily plays CB but can contribute at safety as necessary. Khaleke Hudson is a hyped freshman who is college ready. Josh Metellus should redshirt.
Michigan returns the top 3 corners from last year. Jourdan Lewis opted to come back for his senior season instead of the NFL. He’s one of the top cover corners in the country. Channing Stribling had a solid junior season and a very good spring. He’s bigger and more physical than Lewis. Jeremy Clark is even bigger and can back up a number of DB positions. Behind those three, there is room for a number of younger players to contribute. Freshmen David Long is already turning heads in summer drills. Keith Washington is a raw project with good length and athleticism. Brandon Watson is a depth player.
ST
K/P Kenny Allen, 5th ...AND/OR... Quinn Nordin, Fr
LS Scott Sypniewski, RJr
PR Jabrill Peppers, RSo
KR Jabrill Peppers, RSo ...AND/OR… Jourdan Lewis, Sr ...AND/OR… Jehu Chesson, 5th
Michigan replaces punter Blake O’Neill (of single-handedly losing the MSU game fame) but returns every other ST player of note. Outside of the occasional colossal blunder, O’Neill was actually a good punter. Kicker Kenny Allen is competent, though not confidence inspiring. Allen will likely assume punting duties as well. He has an NFL leg but struggles with consistency and touch. Freshman Quinn Nordin was the #1 rated high school kicker in the country last year. Hopefully he can handle some of the kicking/punting to lessen Allen’s burden. Scott Sypniewski is an experienced long-snapper. Jabrill Peppers will handle most of the punt/kick return duties, though Lewis and Chesson will contribute on kick-offs.
The schedule is ideal for racking up wins but not for running the table. The three toughest opponents are played on the road.
Hawaii… W
UCF… W
Colorado… W
The OOC schedule is stupid easy, thanks to Notre Dame backing out. Hawaii, UCF, and Colorado were a combined 7-31 last year. OTOH, there are no FCS teams. Michigan plays 10 Power 5 opponents as the Big Ten schedule expands from 8 to 9 games.
Michigan opens the B1G season with more challenging but still manageable home games against Penn State and Wisconsin. Saquon Barkley (PSU) and Corey Clement (Wisc) are two of the best RBs in the conference. Michigan beat Penn State by double digits last year on the road. While Penn State’s offense should be improved with a better OC, I don’t think they have the talent to win a tough road game. James Franklin’s next win against a good team will be his first. Michigan hasn’t played Wisconsin since Bert Bielema humiliated Rich Rodriguez in 2010. While 2016’s Wisconsin team should be solid, I would be more concerned if the game were in Madison and they still had Dave Aranda. Michigan’s defense practices against a similar offense.
Penn State… W
Wisconsin… W
at Rutgers (night)... W
-- bye --
Illinois… W
A nice, easy mid-season interlude. Anything less than a 7-0 start would be a disappointment.
at Michigan State… lean W
Maryland… W
Mark Dantonio’s Michigan obsession is highly effective. Michigan State brings their A-game every year. Dantonio gets his teams ready for Michigan better than any rival coach I’ve seen. MSU has won 7 of the last 8. Michigan hasn’t won in East Lansing since 2007. Last year Michigan was the better team for 59.9 minutes but blew the game on a botched punt. This year, Michigan should be even better and MSU worse. Michigan State suffered heavy personnel losses at QB, WR, OL, and DL. MSU’s offense will have a tough task moving the ball. They struggled last year against Michigan outside of a few big pass plays. Even though I think Michigan will be the better team, I’m hesitant to call this game a win until Michigan finally starts beating MSU again. But I will.
Maryland should be an easy win. New HC DJ Durkin is recruiting well and worked for both Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh. But it will take him a couple years to right the ship. Last year Michigan shut out Maryland in College Park.
at Iowa (night)... lean W
Indiana… W
I know Stanford raped Iowa in the Rose Bowl. I know Iowa greatly benefited from missing all four of Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State in the regular season. I know Iowa doesn’t schedule anyone OOC tougher than Pitt or Iowa State. But 12-0 was impressive, no matter the schedule. Iowa pushed Michigan State to the limit in the CCG. Iowa City is a tough place to play at night. With a year of experience under his belt, C.J. Beathard should be one of the best QBs in the league. Still I don’t see Iowa having the skill position talent or offensive creativity to test Michigan’s defense. Iowa’s defense will probably be stout but not dominant. Michigan will be the better team. In Ann Arbor, I would expect a win. Location and timing muddles the outlook.
Indiana could be considered a trap game if Michigan were not so acutely aware of the damage their offense can do. Indiana’s offense took Michigan to double overtime last year in Bloomington. RB Jordan Howard rushed for 240 yards Now Howard, QB Nate Sudfeld, and OT Jason Sprigg are off to the NFL. The game is at home. Hopefully Michigan’s DL will be healthy this time around. Indiana’s defense should be its usual dogshit self until proven otherwise.
at Ohio State… lean L
If this game were played in Ann Arbor earlier in the season, I would like Michigan’s chances much better. Ohio State is essentially breaking in a new roster outside of QB JT Barrett. Michigan has not beaten a Tressel/Meyer-coached Ohio State team since 2003, and never on the road. Michigan’s last win in Columbus was in 2000 against John Cooper. Last year a close halftime game turned into a blowout. Ohio State outscored Michigan 28-3 in the second half. Michigan had no answer for OSU’s run game. Barrett and Elliott rushed for 350 yards. ****ing hell. Elliott heading off to the NFL helps. A healthy Michigan DL would help. As would Don Brown calling a better game than DJ Durkin. Outside of playing the game in Columbus, 2016 should be one of Michigan’s better chances to beat Ohio State. But good luck with that. My prediction is that a 9-2 Ohio State will spoil an 11-0 Michigan's hopes of a B1G title and CFP. God doesn't want us to have nice things.
