I did a post similar to this before last season, and it seemed to go over pretty well, so I thought I'd do it again. It took a lot longer than I expected, and there is a lot of information to digest, so I decided to do two separate posts. One for the offense and one for the defense. Below is a break down of who we have at each position, where they were ranked coming out of high school, and what I see as the remaining recruiting needs for the 2021 class. Please note that each position group is sorted by their recruiting ranking, not by their position on the depth chart. I think it's also interesting to see how recruits have performed relative to their recruiting expectations. I've bolded the players who I believe start at each position if we have the 2020 season. I've also listed the current commitments and a few targets at each position from the 2021 class. The recruiting targets listed aren't exhaustive. They are mostly the recruits that I'd like to see the team sign and who are realistic. I also added my projected starting lineup and offensive recruiting class at the bottom of the post.
The roster includes the recruits from the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 classes. Those classes were ranked 4th, 4th, 24th, 10th, and 11th, respectively. That works out to an average class ranking of 10.6, which is the highest of the Harbaugh era (previous high was 18.4 last year). Obviously players no longer with the program are not listed below. Next year Michigan will have two 5-star recruits, six top 100 players, and forty-one 4 stars. This will be the fewest 5-star, and top 100 players Harbaugh has had on the roster during his tenure, but it's also the most 4-stars he's had on the roster. On paper, Michigan's team will be deeper than it has been in the past, but also might have less top-end playmakers. I say it might have less top-end playmakers because I'm not ruling out players exceeding their rankings. For example, I wouldn't be surprised if Nico and Bell have a more productive season at WR this year than DPJ and Black did last year.
Let me know what you all think. What are some of your initial impressions of the next year's offense? I'll probably do the defense post sometime next week.
QB
Outside WR
The roster includes the recruits from the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 classes. Those classes were ranked 4th, 4th, 24th, 10th, and 11th, respectively. That works out to an average class ranking of 10.6, which is the highest of the Harbaugh era (previous high was 18.4 last year). Obviously players no longer with the program are not listed below. Next year Michigan will have two 5-star recruits, six top 100 players, and forty-one 4 stars. This will be the fewest 5-star, and top 100 players Harbaugh has had on the roster during his tenure, but it's also the most 4-stars he's had on the roster. On paper, Michigan's team will be deeper than it has been in the past, but also might have less top-end playmakers. I say it might have less top-end playmakers because I'm not ruling out players exceeding their rankings. For example, I wouldn't be surprised if Nico and Bell have a more productive season at WR this year than DPJ and Black did last year.
Let me know what you all think. What are some of your initial impressions of the next year's offense? I'll probably do the defense post sometime next week.
QB
- Current Players
- Dylan McCaffrey - RS JR 2017, 5.9 4-star, #131 overall, #7 PQB
- Joe Milton - RS SO, 2018, 5.8 4-star, #200 overall, #11 PQB
- Cade McNamara - RS FR, 2019, 5.8 4-star, #8 PQB
- Dan Villari - FR, 2020, 5.5 3-star, unranked PQB
- Average position ranking - 3.75 stars
- 2021 commitments
- JJ McCarthy - 6.0 4-star, #33 overall, #5 PQB
- Notes - From a rankings standpoint, QB is one of the most talented positions groups on the roster but the group is also untested. Depth was hurt a bit when the staff lost JD Johnson to medical retirement, but with McCarthy coming in next year, it might not matter. I think McCaffrey ends up being the guy this year with Milton serving as the back-up. I think the lack of spring ball keeps both players here next season, but don't expect the number 2 guy to be here next spring. Even with that potential attrition, the position group should be good. Whoever wins the job this year will have at least two years of eligibility, I think McNamara and Villari will be good program QBs, and then McCarthy can sit for a year or two (depending on who wins the job) before taking over.
- Remaining 2021 recruiting targets:
- None - With McCarthy on board, the staff isn't recruiting another QB.
- Current players
- Zach Charbonnet - SO, 2019, 6.0 4-star, #60 overall, #4 RB
- Blake Corum - FR, 2020, 5.9 4-star, #104 overall, #8 RB
- Chris Evans - RS SR, 2016, 5.7 3-star, #32 ATH
- Christian Turner - RS SO, 2018, 5.7 3-star, #18 RB
- Hassan Haskins - RS SO, 2018, 5.6 3-star, #40 RB
- Ben Mason - JR, 2017, 5.6 3-star, #35 MLB
- Average position ranking: 3.3 stars
- 2021 commitments
- none
- Notes - What a difference a year makes. Last year RB was a huge question mark. Now it could be Michigan's deepest position. Michigan returns three players who have rushed for more than 600 yards in a single season. Charbonnet and Haskins both had really good moments last year. I still think Charbonnet has the highest ceiling in the group, and if he can stay healthy will win the job. But there is very little fall off from Charbonnet to Haskins. I expect them to remain as co-starters next year. I've never been sold on Evans as an every-down back. He has had some good moments, but outside of the 2017 OSU game and one run against FSU, he's mostly put up big numbers against bad teams and then disappeared against quality defenses. However, I think he can make great contributions as a change of pace guy who plays in the backfield and in the slot. I also really like Corum. He adds a speed dimension to the position group that was missing last year. He's also bulky enough to develop into a complete back. Turner has a lot of speed, but it's going to be tough for him to get carries. Michigan is in a unique position with RB. Their top two backs have three years of eligibility left. So while it would be great to add another top-level back but it's not an extreme need. The staff can be picky and focus on elite players at the position.
- Remaining targets
- Donovan Edwards - 6.0 4-star, #61 overall, #2 RB
- Prophet Brown - 5.8 4-star, #197 overall, #11 ATH
- Notes: It seems like Michigan is going all-in for Edwards. Their other targets have either committed to other schools or are no longer seriously considering Michigan. I think that's fine given the depth we have in the RB room right now. If the staff lands Edwards that should more than meet the positional need. Despite all the ups and downs, I think Edwards ends up in Ann Arbor. I added Brown back on the list because the staff is still recruiting him. Oklahoma seems to be the favorite but maybe Worthy and Giles Jackson can work some magic haha. I think he'd be a good second running back because of his position flexibility. He could stay at RB, move to the slot WR position, or play CB. He's a really talented kid and would be a great addition.
Outside WR
- Current players
- Nico Collins - SR, 2017, 5.9 4 star, #120 overall, #17 WR
- Cornelius Johnson - SO, 2019, 5.8 4-star, #171 overall #27 WR
- Average position ranking: 4 stars
- 2021 commitments
- Cristian Dixon - 5.8 4-star, #175 overall, #32 WR
- Markus Allen - 5.7 3-star, #76 WR
- Notes - There are only two true outside guys on the roster right now, however with the increase in flex WRs and the number of TEs we can split out, I don't think it will be an issue. Collins will be one of the best WRs in the conference next year. Getting him back was huge. Johnson showed a lot of potential as a freshman, and if he continues to develop should be very good.
- 2021 targets
- Jayden Thomas - 5.9 4-star, #131 overall, #23 WR
- Notes: Dixon and Allen were both good pickups and have filled the need on the outside. I also think the staff lands Thomas who I think is very good. The WR room should be in very good shape going forward.
- Current Players
- AJ Henning - FR, 2020, 5.9 4-star, #111 overall, #21 WR
- Roman Wilson - FR, 2020, 5.7 3-star, #76 WR
- Ronnie Bell - JR, 2018, 5.4 2-star, unranked
- Average position ranking - 3 stars
- 2021 commitments
- Xavier Worthy - 5.6 3-star, unranked WR
- Notes - All three of these guys can line up on the outside or inside the slot. Bell was really productive last year and gets the most out of his talent. I'm really excited about Henning and Wilson. They both will add a lot of speed to the position. Even though I don't expect them to take many snaps from Bell they should still see the field as a true freshman, especially Henning. Getting a commitment from Worthy was big too. I think he will be a star here. He could fill the same role that Steve Breaston did when Michigan had Avant and Braylon on the outside. I really like the talent the staff is bringing in at WR.
- 2021 targets
- Lorenzo Styles Jr. - 6.0 4-star, #39 overall, #7 WR
- Titus Mokiao-Atimalala - 5.8 4-star, #49 WR
- Notes: I like each of the four guys listed above a lot. I've been on the Titus Mokiao-Atimalala train for a while. I really like his film and think he could be very good in Gattis' offense. But it sounds like he's down the coaches are recruiting him as an athlete and not as a pure WR. I also really like Styles. I think Styles is the highly ranked guy we have the best chance with this year, even though he's committed to ND right now. I actually like Worthy a little more but would be happy with either prospect.
- Current Players
- Giles Jackson - SO, 2019, 5.8 4-star, #233 overall, #37 WR
- Mike Sainristil - SO, 2019, 5.6 3-star, #56 ATH
- Average position ranking: 3.3 stars
- 2021 commitments
- none
- Notes - This is another position group that looks pretty good. Sainristil generated a lot of hype last year but, while he was solid for a true freshman, Jackson ended up passing him by the end of the year. Jackson was playing really well late in the season and made some of his biggest plays against Michigan's best opponents (OSU and Alabama). I think Jackson could be in line for a break out year in 2020.
- 2021 targets
- None
- Notes: There aren't really many true slots on the WR board right now. It seems like the focus has been on flex and outside WRs.
- Current players
- Nick Eubanks - RS SR, 2016, 5.8 4-star, #9 TE
- Erik All - SO, 2019, 5.8 4-star, #16 TE
- Matt Hibner - FR, 2020, 5.6 3-star, #31 TE
- Luke Schoonmaker - RS SO, 2018, 5.6 3-star, #39 TE
- Average position ranking: 3.5 stars
- 2021 Commitments
- Louis Hansen - 5.9 4-star, #68 overall, #4 TE
- Notes - The TE group looks strong overall. Eubanks is good when he is healthy and is athletic enough to split out. He has a knack for getting open on the deep post and has provided a lot of big plays over the years. All played very well as a true freshman. He blocked well and looks like he's athletic enough to contribute to the passing game. Schoonmaker had a few nice moments as well. Hansen is one of the top TEs in the country and should be an immediate contributor. It seems like the staff still wants one more TE and has gone all-in on Fidone. Fidone and Hansen would be a great TE class.
- 2021 targets
- Thomas Fidone - 5.9 4-star, #62 overall, #3 TE
- Notes - It seems like Fidone is a long shot but I'm not ready to give up on him yet. Nebraska might be the favorite right now, but I just don't have any faith in Scott Frost, haha. I think when Fidone sees how the season plays out Michigan will be able to land him. T
- Current players
- Trente Jones - RS FR, 2019, 5.9 4-star, #90 overall, #12 OT
- Zak Zinter - FR, 2020, 5.8 4-star, #145 overall, #14 OT
- Trevor Keegan - RS FR, 2019, 5.8 4-star, #208 overall, #22 OT
- Jaylen Mayfield - RS SO, 2018, 5.8 4-star, #17 OT
- Karsen Barnhart - RS FR, 2019, 5.8 4-star, #28 OT
- Jeff Persi - FR, 2020, 5.8 4-star, #35 OT
- Ryan Hayes - RS SO, 2018, 5.6 3-star, #48 OT
- Average position ranking: 3.85 stars
- 2021 commitments
- Giovanni El-Hadi - 6.0 4-star, #51 overall, #9 OT
- Tristen Bounds - 5.5 3-star, unranked OT
- Notes - Tackle has quietly turned into one of Michigan's deepest positions from a rankings standpoint. It's a young group that is largely untested, however, there is a lot of talent here. I thought Mayfield and Hayes both played well last year and expect them to retain/win the starting tackle positions. Barnhart has generated a lot of positive buzz during the fall and bowl practices and could push Hayes for the starting LT position. I love Persi's potential at LT as well. It seems like we hear the least about Jones and Keegan even though they were two of our highest ranked recruits and guys that EW prioritized early. El-Hadi was a huge get in this class. I think could play guard, RT, or LT in college. There are also guys listed here that could slide inside to guard (Zinter and Jones). The talent and versatility of the group is impressive. I should be nervous about losing a two-time All-Big Ten LT, but I think Michigan be able to find a quality replacement.
- 2021 targets
- Nolan Rucci - 6.0 4-star, #36 overall, #6 OT
- Notes: With El-Hadi and Bounds committed it seems like the staff is content to focus on Rucci for the remainder of the class. Rucci is the highest-rated of the group and someone the staff prioritized early. It will be tough to steal him from Clemson, PSU, or Wisconsin but the staff doesn't have anything to lose by continuing to recruit him.
- Current players
- Chuck Filiaga - RS JR, 2017, 5.8 4-star, #175 overall, #16 OT
- Nolan Rumler - RS FR, 2019, 5.8 4-star, #199 overall, #10 OG
- Joel Honigford - RS JR, 2017, 5.7 3-star, #49 OT
- Andrew Stueber - RS JR, 2017, 5.6 3-star, #74 OT
- Jack Stewart - RS FR, 2019 5.6 3-star, #79 OT
- Average position - 3.4 stars
- 2021 commitments
- none
- Notes - We lost both starting from last year's team. Bredeson and Onwenu each started for 3+ seasons and were really good on the interior (despite how much they got beat up on the board sometimes), so we haven't had a chance to see much of the guys behind them. A lot of folks have assumed that Barnhart or Rumler will win a starting job, and they might, but I don't think people are giving Filiaga enough credit. He's been the first guard off the bench the past two years and looked good in limited snaps. There was a time when it was pretty common for an offensive lineman not to get a shot until his RS Jr year and Filaga adds a lot of size on the interior. Stueber was close to winning the RT job before he tore his ACL last year. A lot will depend on how he recovers from his injury, but I can see him sliding inside to RG and winning the starting job there. I still love Rumler's potential though and wouldn't be surprised if he passes one of the older guys to win the job. Barnhart was working out at tackle last year and pushing Hayes but I also wouldn't be surprised to see the staff move him to guard if they feel like he's one of their best five linemen. It's also worth mentioning that one of Anderson or Crippen could end up at guard if the center position doesn't work out.
- 2021 targets
- Rocco Spindler - 5.9 4-star, #56 overall, #3 OG
- Drew Kendall - 5.9 4-star, #65 overall, #4 OG
- Notes: I actually think Michigan lands both of these guys and that they will help upgrade the talent at the guard positions. Folks on the board have lamented the lack of true OT prospects in this year's class, but when you look at the offensive lineman room, it's pretty clear that Michigan needs more bodies on the inside. Adding elite guys like Spindler and Kendall would really help the position's depth.
- Current players
- Zach Carpenter - RS FR, 2019, 5.7 3 star, #15 OG
- Reece Atteberry - FR, 2020, 5.7 3 star, #53 OT
- Andrew Vastardis - RS SR, 2016, 2-star, unranked OG (walk-on)
- Average position ranking - 2.6 stars
- 2021 commitments
- Greg Crippen - 5.9 4-star, #136 overall, #7 OG
- Raheem Anderson -5.9 4-star, #149 overall, #2 OC
- Notes - Losing Ruiz was a really big blow. Vastardis is a former walk-on and has been a solid back-up for the past two years. That said, I'm not sure he is a guy you want as a starter. Carpenter has generated a lot of practice buzz and has a high ceiling. I also like the idea of potentially having a 4-year starter at center going forward. Atteberry is coming in as a center recruit as well, but it's a tough ask for a true freshman to be ready to contribute at the center position. I like Crippen and Anderson a lot as recruits. They are both coming in as center prospects, however, I'd expect one of them to play guard at some point.
- 2021 targets
- none
- Notes - Again it seems like the staff is set with Anderson and Crippen. I think both have very good potential.
- QB – Dylan McCaffrey RS JR – 5.9 4-star, #131 overall, #7 PQB
- RB – Zach Charbonnet SO – 6.0 4-star, #60 overall, #4 RB
- WR – Nico Collins SR – 5.9 4-star, #120 overall, #17 WT
- WR – Ronnie Bell JR – 5.4 2-star, unranked
- WR – Giles Jackson SO – 5.8 4-star, #233 overall, #37 WR
- TE – Nick Eubanks RS SR – 5.8 4-star, unranked, #9 TE
- LT – Ryan Hayes RS SO – 5.6 3-star, unranked, #48 OT
- LG – Chuck Filiaga RS JR – 5.8 4-star, #175 overall, #16 OT
- OC – Zach Carpenter RS FR – 5.7 3-star, unranked, #15 OG
- RG – Andrew Stueber RS JR – 5.6 3-star, #74 OT
- RT – Jaylen Mayfield RS SO – 5.8 4-star, unranked, #17 OT
- Total: One Top 100 player, five top 250 players, seven 4-star recruits, three 3-star recruits, one 2-star recruit
- QB - JJ McCarthy - 6.0 4-star, #33 overall, #5 PQB, committed
- RB - Donovan Edwards - 5.9 4-star, #61 overall, #2 RB
- WR - Jayden Thomas - 5.9 4-star, #131 overall, #23 WR
- WR - Cristian Dixon - 5.8 4-star, #175 overall, #32 WR, committed
- WR - Markus Allen - 5.7 3-star, unranked #76 WR, committed
- WR - Xavier Worthy - 5.6 3-star, unranked, committed
- TE - Louis Hansen - 5.9 4-star, #68 overall, #4 TE, committed
- OL - Giovanni El-Hadi - 5.9 4-star, #51 overall, #9 OT, committed
- OL - Rocco Spindler - 5.9 4-star, #56 overall, #3 OG
- OL - Drew Kendall - 5.9 4-star, #65 overall, #4 OG
- OL - Greg Crippen - 5.9 4-star, #139 overall, #7 OG, committed
- OL - Raheem Anderson - 5.8 4-star, #149 overall, #2 OC, committed
- OL - Tristan Bounds - 5.5 3-star, unranked OT, committed
- Six top 100 recruits, ten top 250 players, ten 4-star recruits, three 3-star recruits
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