'24-'25 Michigan Football Depth Chart
QB: Jack Tuttle / Alex Orji
3. Jayden Denegal
4. Davis Warren / Jadyn Davis
RB: Donovan Edwards
2. Kalel Mullings
3. Benjamin Hall / Jordan Marshall
5. Cole Cabana
6. Micah Kaapana
7. Tavierre Dunlap
RB/WR: Donovan Edwards
2. Cole Cabana
WR: Tyler Morris
2. Karmello English
3. I'Marion Stewart
WR: Peyton O'Leary
2. Channing Goodwin
3. Kendrick Bell
SLOT: Semaj Morgan
2. Fredrick Moore
3. Eamonn Dennis
H-BACK: Max Bredeson
2. Josh Beethum
3. Zach Ludwig
TE: Colston Loveland
2. Marlin Klein
3. Zack Marshall / Brady Prieskorn
5. Hogan Hansen
6. Deakon Tonielli
LT: Myles Hinton
2. Jeffrey Persi
3. Evan Link
4. Andrew Sprague
5. Connor Jones
LG: Giovanni El-Hadi
2. Nathan Efobi / Luke Hamilton
C: Greg Crippen
2. Raheem Anderson
3. Jake Guarnera
RG: Josh Priebe
2. Andrew Gentry
3. Amir Herring
4. Ben Roebuck
5. Dominick Guidice
RT: Trente Jones
2. Andrew Gentry / Jeffrey Persi
4. Tristan Bounds
5. Blake Frazier
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DT: Mason Graham
2. Rayshaun Benny
3. Trey Pierce
4. Reece Atteberry
5. Owen Wafle / Deyvid Palepale
7. Alessandro Lorenzetti / Ted Hammond
9. Manuel Beigel
10. Ike Iwunnah
DT: Kenneth Grant
2. Rayshaun Benny
3. Trey Pierce
4. Reece Atteberry
5. Owen Wafle / Deyvid Palepale
7. Alessandro Lorenzetti / Ted Hammond
9. Manuel Beigel
10. Ike Iwunnah
DT/DE: Enow Etta
2. Cameron Brandt
3. Brooks Bahr
EDGE: Derrick Moore
2. TJ Guy
3. Aymeric Koumba / Chibi Anwunah
5. Dominic Nichols / Devon Baxter
ILB: Ernest Hausmann
2. Jaydon Hood / Jimmy Rolder
4. Micah Pollard
5. Semaj Bridgeman / Jason Hewlett
7. Jeremiah Beasley / Mason Curtis
9. Cole Sullivan
10. Hayden Moore
ILB: Jaishawn Barham
2. Jaydon Hood / Jimmy Rolder
4. Micah Pollard
5. Semaj Bridgeman / Jason Hewlett
7. Jeremiah Beasley / Mason Curtis
9. Cole Sullivan
10. Hayden Moore
EDGE/OLB: Josaiah Stewart
2. Kechaun Bennett
3. Tyler McLaurin
4. Breeon Ishmail
5. Jaden Smith
CB: Will Johnson
2. Keshaun Harris / Jyaire Hill
4. Myles Pollard
5. Jo'Ziah Edmond
6. Jeremiah Lowe
CB: DJ Waller
2. Keshaun Harris / Jyaire Hill
4. Myles Pollard
5. Jo'Ziah Edmond
6. Jeremiah Lowe
NB: Ja'Den McBurrows
2. Kody Jones
3. Zeke Berry
4. Jacob Oden
S: Rod Moore
2. Quinten Johnson
3. Zeke Berry
4. Cristian Dixon
S: Makari Paige
2. Keon Sabb
3. Brandyn Hillman
K: James Turner
2. Adam Samaha
P: Tommy Doman
Notes:
• Tuttle can get a medical (he's said that he will return to coach if it is denied - presumably as a GA), and Quinten Johnson has a Michael Barrett 6th year available to him.
• Getting Edwards back is a MUST.
• Trente Jones still has a decision to make, if he's gone, Gentry and Persi battle for the RT spot (or Hinton plays RT and Michigan tries to land a big time LT).
• Rod Moore and Makari Paige both have decisions, hopefully they both come back.
• Must-Have Transfers: QB, WR, CB
• Transfers to Consider: WR #2 or #3, TE #2, EDGE #2, EDGE/OLB #2, NB
...alright, now tear it apart. 😃
January 15th, 2024 at 4:57 AM ^
The problem with Edwards is most of his carries are going to get stuffed at the line while you’re hoping for him to bust a long one. How many carries can you afford to throw away while waiting for him to get hot? We won’t have the passing game to bail us out of third and long.
January 14th, 2024 at 5:01 PM ^
Getting Edwards back would be huge. In 2022 when he took over as starter, he came through big once he had built a lather.
January 14th, 2024 at 6:31 PM ^
Well let's see, did it help having Edwards this year? Last year? I'm going to go out on a limb and say it would help next year as well.
January 18th, 2024 at 1:14 PM ^
Comically executed?
I didn't find anything funny but I can tell you only a handful of backs have that skill.
The Don you see next year will be more like the OSU/WA Don. He was working through some things this year.
January 14th, 2024 at 4:46 PM ^
We don't need any transfers.
4 QBs to find one.
Assuming a decent Oline we have 4-5 backs to run 60% of the time again to help one of those QBs not be put in bad spots.
Edwards should be a wideout. Not many bodies there now, take the opportunity to make it happen.
D looks good. Not as much depth as this year, but maybe that changes after 10 games playing football.
Really aren't any holes. If Harbaugh is back we win 10 games and that's probably enough to get us a playoff bid.
January 14th, 2024 at 4:52 PM ^
Put Edwards at max snaps. Either WR or RB but keep him o the field. The usual "Hey that guy is on the field they are going to force the ball to him" didnt do him any favors.
January 14th, 2024 at 5:48 PM ^
When Edwards is not at RB he needs to replace Morgan in the slot and never come off the field. A threat every down.
January 14th, 2024 at 4:55 PM ^
lol
This is the kind of stuff that cracks me up. It's like people don't want to be good.
What I don't understand is after all the transfers we've had the past 2-3 years and how they've contributed...Michigan fans, of all fans, should know the importance of bringing in talent and depth.
Don't need a QB. Care to guess how many passes those 4 guys have thrown at Michigan in their career...combined?
January 14th, 2024 at 5:02 PM ^
Orji: 1
Denegal: 5
Warren: 14
Davis: 0
So those 4 guys you're referring to have thrown a combined TWENTY college passes. All in mop-up duty in blowouts.
Orji is the only one who has even taken a meaningful snap between those guys.
FWIW, JJ threw 59 passes his true freshman year..including high pressure situations. But that's still 3 games worth as a starter.
January 14th, 2024 at 6:55 PM ^
They aren’t lights out locks but these guys are largely 3 and 4-star recruits who played a shit ton of football in high school. I think they can throw a pass. Like JJ? Fuck no but that’s like saying can DeBoer win like Saban? Of course not but he can win. JJ was the very best to do it here in a long time.
January 14th, 2024 at 5:09 PM ^
It's not unprecedented. Wilton Speight had 25 attempts before becoming the starter in 2016. Given a top-tier defense, Harbaugh's offense can work well enough to win games with average QB play.
January 14th, 2024 at 6:16 PM ^
That is if Harbaugh is still the head coach.
January 14th, 2024 at 5:10 PM ^
I agree on not needing a QB, only exception is someone who's considered a "can't miss" player, an all conference guy or something. But right now, that guy doesn't exist in the portal. According to On3 there only like 10 guys ranked in the top 100 who aren't committed somewhere. So I'm unsure if the portal will be kind to them this season.
The goal is 2025 whether people want to accept it or not. 2024 is a total pass year and deservedly so. Be as young as possible and get experience anywhere you can including QB. Let Orgi/Denegal start the year, see what you have. If the end of the season is Davis running the ship then thats fine too. Build for 25!
Also, I think any QB on the current team is capable of winning 10 games with the defense they have.
January 14th, 2024 at 5:37 PM ^
Sure, if McCord or someone good wants to come, I'm all for it. In fact, I'm not saying we shouldn't take transfers, I just don't think we need to. Always good to have depth. And always good to take in those guys who developed late and grad transfer in.
And if we win 10 games in a build to 2025 team, I'll take it.
January 14th, 2024 at 7:22 PM ^
How much would it cost to get McCord from Syracuse to UM. He would be a better passer than anything on our roster.
Not being facetious.
January 14th, 2024 at 5:44 PM ^
Hard disagree about 2025 being the goal. I would hate to waste next season's defense on a subpar year. It looks to be another top 3 unit and there's no assurance that any of their main contributors will return for 2025.
January 14th, 2024 at 6:28 PM ^
It's not wasting the season lol. I just said I think they're capable of winning 10 games. Can't win the damn championship every year lol. 10-2 is playoff and then maybe winning a game, good season in my mind. Then in 2025 Orji, Denegal, or Davis has the experience gained to be lethal in 25. And who says the defense in 25 isn't good either?
January 14th, 2024 at 7:19 PM ^
Because guys like WJ, Grant and Mason are very likely gone in 2025 - those are not holes easily replaced.
That and denegal and Orji aren't guys you can say play for the future and burn 2024 (look at UM-s schedule next year, they aren't going 10-2 with either of those guys under center). They may be good, may be not good, but havent seen enough to feel great. It's not like saying play underwood and live with he results in 2024.
January 14th, 2024 at 5:27 PM ^
This is...very optimistic
Edwards is not going back to switch to WR lol
There is not a qb on roster you win the BIG with next year
There are definitely holes.
January 14th, 2024 at 7:21 PM ^
You are on crack. OSU brings in top 3 SEC RB to be a 1A 1B but and a new QB as will almost every team replacing starters incl 2023 UM - but this offense doesn't need a transfer. Jesus.
Anyhow I am satiated next 5 years but these comments are laughable.
January 14th, 2024 at 4:47 PM ^
Way too early to tell
January 14th, 2024 at 4:47 PM ^
Getting Edwards back is a MUST.
Not sure I'd agree with that. Having Edwards back would be fantastic, especially if they could spend the offseason figuring out how to make his 2024 season look more like '22 than '23. However, I'd be excited to see what Mullings looks like getting a feature back's worth of carries - he's looked dangerous in limited opportunities - and the other guys look capable of spelling the feature back as well.
January 14th, 2024 at 4:58 PM ^
Edwards isn't a must because of a need at RB, but because he would help mask some of the expected weakness at QB and WR.
January 14th, 2024 at 6:14 PM ^
Edwards returning would be a huge win. He adds a homerun threat at RB, depth to carry 15+ times per game, and excellent receiving skills. Just like he was huge in Corum’s absence last year, he is arguably even more important as RB 1 or 1b with Mullings.
Top teams have depth and playmakers at all spots.
January 14th, 2024 at 4:50 PM ^
I’d slot Mullings over Edwards if we’re being honest. Edwards just doesn’t have the down to down consistency and the ability to create yards that I think is necessary to be a starting running back in this offense, especially in a year where we’re replacing the entire OL, anyone at WR that has played a good amount of snaps, and will have a downgrade at the QB position.
January 14th, 2024 at 4:52 PM ^
Agreed, while a RB with game breaking speeding like Edwards is nice to have it's not necessary. A bruising back like Haskins or Mullings runs this offense just fine.
January 14th, 2024 at 5:23 PM ^
He was awesome as RB1 in 2022
January 14th, 2024 at 5:33 PM ^
He broke off a couple big runs behind an all-world OL, but was largely ineffective on a down to down basis. Everyone remembers his two huge runs against OSU, but forget he had 56 yards on 20 carries the rest of the game.
We saw what he looked like this year when he’s not hitting those explosives. Running behind an OL breaking in new starters at each position isn’t a recipe for success for someone like Edwards.
January 14th, 2024 at 5:48 PM ^
And yet, that's WHY Edwards is huge if he comes back. There's no one else on the O next year that can hit a homerun
January 14th, 2024 at 6:00 PM ^
I’d certainly like him back. I just think his value to the team is highest as a complimentary back instead of a lead back since a good portion of his carries go nowhere.
Line him up all over the field and utilize his versatility, but I don’t think his upside is there as a feature back getting 20 carries a game. The down to down consistency just isn’t there.
January 14th, 2024 at 6:05 PM ^
Hahahahaha you missed the football team playing this year or what? Morris blowing by SEC guys who are going in the 1st round of the draft? Semaj Morgan who clearly has game breaking speed and elite playmaking ability? They’ll use him a lot early in the season and get him more prepared for big time. Loveland? You do understand Bowers was Georgia entire offense right? Loveland isn’t Bowers, but he’s a piece to put with Morris and Morgan. Michigan doesn’t need him to be Bowers. Orji will be a threat with his legs, which put defenses in conflict. Orji is a playmaker in his own right. Marshall has the ability as a freshman to come in and be a playmaker as well. This offense will still be top 5 in the Big Ten next year. I would say top 3, but we’ll see how USC does in their first season, as well as Oregon.
January 14th, 2024 at 6:32 PM ^
Hahahahaha you missed the football team playing this year or what?
You missed the part where the majority of offensive starters from this team aren’t going to be here? The entire starting OL is gone. JJ is gone. Corum is gone. Barner is gone. Loveland is legitimately the only returning starter.
Loveland? You do understand Bowers was Georgia entire offense right?
Id suggest watching Georgia before making a claim like that. Their top two backs combined for 1,670 yards and 27 TDs on 286 carries (5.8 YPC). Ours had 1,742 and 32 TDs (with an extra game) on 377 carries (4.6 YPC). Or the fact that they had 3 receivers go over 400 receiving yards, not including Bowers while we had 3 INCLUDING Loveland. Bowers is a great tight end, but my goodness you’re selling the rest of that team short.
But hey, I’m glad you’re so high on two small receivers that combined for 35 catches. Not really sure what that has to do with anything that has been said. But good on ya.
Orji will be a threat with his legs, which put defenses in conflict. Orji is a playmaker in his own right.
But can he throw? We aren’t going to wildcat our way through the season. His inability to throw also kinda limits the upside of those two WRs you’re so high on.
My point is that while breaking in so many new starters it’s better for the team to have a back that is better at creating his own yards. Mullings has shown better vision and tackle breaking ability than Edwards. Edwards excels at hitting the hole with explosion and taking off. He’s less likely to get those opportunities behind an OL with 5 new starters and a downgrade at QB (idc what you say, Orji is a downgrade from JJ). Simple as that.
January 14th, 2024 at 7:29 PM ^
Jonny I mostly agree with you sorry I was responding to Quailman. Quailman was saying we have to have Edwards because of playmaking ability. I agree with you that Mullings is the better option as a down to down back and also Michigan has plenty of playmakers is my only point. Sorry it came off like I was responding to you.
January 14th, 2024 at 8:05 PM ^
But can he throw? We aren’t going to wildcat our way through the season.
He just needs to be able to pass as well as someone like Tim Tebow or JT Barrett or Denard. You’re not going to be able to run the same kind of offense with Orji back there as with JJ firing passes into NFL windows. But if he can pass at all, you can build a good offense around his running ability and the other pieces M has to work with (good OL, talented backs, and tight ends).
January 14th, 2024 at 9:53 PM ^
But the issue is he hasn’t shown the ability to throw at all. It’s a major question mark that has NOT looked good when we have seen it. He has a strong arm, but so did Joe Milton.
Tebow completed 66.4% of his passes at Florida at 9.3 YPA. JT Barrett completed 63.5% of his passes at 7.8 YPA. Those are very, very good numbers. “Just needs to pass as well as” some of the best QBs of the last 20 years is a pretty high bar you’re setting there. It would be miraculous if he attained those levels.
January 14th, 2024 at 10:43 PM ^
Those guys put up great passing stats not because they were great passers, but because they were dangerous runners and played in offenses that forced opponents to commit so many resources to stopping the run that simplified passing schemes were sufficient.
I’m not saying Orji is the next Tim Tebow though, just that I think he’s likely capable of running that style of offense reasonably well. But you’re right, other than some spring game throws we really haven’t seen him do it. Maybe he can, maybe he can’t. But I do think it’s an important point that Orji, because of his ability to operate a a run-first QB, doesn’t need to be nearly as good a passer in order to be effective as a guy like Denegal or Jayden Davis would need to be.
January 14th, 2024 at 7:50 PM ^
Edwards is an excellent third & long back IMO. Would be great to have him back but I still see Mullings and possibly one of the younger backs (Hall and possibly Marshall) getting the plurality of carries.
January 14th, 2024 at 4:52 PM ^
I'd love to see if Jim could keep this team playing at elite level after all these departures. Hopefully we will find out..
January 14th, 2024 at 4:53 PM ^
Need a couple of long tall 50/50 jump ball WRs.
January 14th, 2024 at 5:00 PM ^
That’s what the tight ends are for
January 14th, 2024 at 5:06 PM ^
You might be joking, but just in case...
How many of those balls did they catch this year with JJ throwing at them?
We tried fades with Loveland and Barner and completed a grand total of 0 of them this season.
Maybe Loveland/Klein are better (All/Schoonmaker were), but you still need WRs that can go up and get it.
Especially with an inexperienced QB.
January 14th, 2024 at 5:22 PM ^
We don’t throw fades. It’s not like we were throwing them to CJ or Roman. Loveland and Barner lose the same mismatch issues that a big receiver poses on a small CB and boxed out for plenty of balls.
This offense creates mismatches according to personnel, it hasn’t ever really relied on jump balls (not even when we had Nico). It’s also worth noting that some of the best contested catch guys we’ve had were not the Greg Matthews types (Roman Wilson, Ronnie Bell).
We need fast guys who can get open and catch at that position.
January 14th, 2024 at 5:39 PM ^
He said 50/50 balls. And yes, we tried fades to both Loveland and Barner this year. Didn't complete any of them.
For the record, I hate traditional fades unless you have Randy Moss on the outside. Back shoulder fades and slot fades are much better, IMO.
January 14th, 2024 at 5:10 PM ^
When was the last time you saw a jump ball in Michigan's offense
January 14th, 2024 at 5:48 PM ^
I realize you're trying to be a smart ass...but I'll take the bait and answer literally.
4:04 left in the 3rd quarter against Maryland. JJ threw a fade to AJ Barner in the left side of the end zone on a 2 pt conversion attempt and it was incomplete.
January 14th, 2024 at 7:24 PM ^
Why is a WR coming here for 37 catches as WR1/2 vs 40+ programs elsewhere who throw 2x as much and WR3 gets that volume.
Come here to be an OL TE or RB. Yes.
WR? Nah.
January 14th, 2024 at 4:54 PM ^
Thought Turner was out of eligibility.
January 14th, 2024 at 5:10 PM ^
You are correct, I thought I'd double checked that. But he played 5 games his freshman year, so no redshirt. It was before COVID so no bowl game exemption last guys got last season.
I'll remove him going forward. Welp, here we go Samaha. Also, add K to the "Transfers to Consider" list.
January 14th, 2024 at 4:54 PM ^
I dont think we can do this yet because everyone is about to declare their intentions soon. Some of these players are obviously leaving such as Moore (IMO)
I think Mullings will be a monster as long as he has ball security. Edwards/Mullings combo is key.
I really hope Josiah Stewart returns. Moore, Stew, Graham, and Grant would be a killer Dline.
Trente Jones is the other big one.
Hopefully they can do some nice portal work. Major con of being in the playoffs is the portal passing you by.
January 14th, 2024 at 5:12 PM ^
I'm afraid the portal may have already passed UM by this year. There is very little quality left if you look at 247's portal list.