Can't Keep Up? 2023 Depth Chart...For Your Viewing Pleasure!
Assumptions...
1. Bell starts his career at QB.
2. Mullings goes to RB full-time and Michigan is no longer looking for a transfer "power back." It's keep Corum or bust.
3. I've included the two guys who are Michigan leans as *name* (English, Hill).
4. Michigan is going to experience a fair amount of attrition after the season national championship. The counter to this is that guys could do the Bowman and enter the portal now, but still remain with the team, but note that attrition could be NFL Draft as well.
5. Michigan is loading up for national championship run in '23 and could be preseason #1 with UGA losing key pieces.
QB: J.J. McCarthy
2. Davis Warren
3. Jack Tuttle
4. Alex Orji
5. Jayden Denegal / Brandon Mann
6. Kendrick Bell
RB: Donovan Edwards
2. CJ Stokes / Kaleel Mullings
4. Cole Cabana / Isaiah Gash
6. Tavierre Dunlap
7. Leon Franklin
8. Benjamin Hall
WR: Roman Wilson
2. Amorion Walker / *Karmello English*
4. Fredrick Moore
WR: Andrel Anthony
2. Darrius Clemons
3. Peyton O'Leary / Cristian Dixon
SLOT: A.J. Henning / Tyler Morris
3. Semaj Morgan
4. Eamonn Dennis
H-BACK: Max Bredeson
TE: Colston Loveland
2. Matthew Hibner / A.J. Barner
4. Marlin Klein
5. Deakon Tonielli / Zack Marshall
LT: LaDarius Henderson
2. Jeffrey Persi
3. Trevor Keegan
4. Evan Link
LG: Trevor Keegan
2. Giovanni El-Hadi
3. Amir Herring
4. Alessandro Lorenzetti
C: Greg Crippen / Drake Nugent
3. Raheem Anderson
4. Reece Atteberry
RG: Karsen Barnhart
2. Andrew Gentry / Reece Atteberry
4. Nathan Efobi / Dominick Guidice
RT: Trente Jones / Myles Hinton
3. Tristan Bounds
4. Connor Jones
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NT: Kenneth Grant
2. Cam Goode
3. Ike Iwunnah
DT: Mason Graham
2. Rayshaun Benny
3. Trey Pierce
DT/DE: Kris Jenkins
2. Enow Etta
3. Brooks Bahr
EDGE: Derrick Moore / Braiden McGregor
3. Taylor Upshaw
4. TJ Guy
5. Aymeric Koumba
ILB: Junior Colson
2. Nikhai Hill-Green / Ernest Hausmann
4. Jimmy Rolder
5. Micah Pollard / Jaydon Hood
7. Deuce Spurlock / Semaj Bridgeman
9. Hayden Moore / Jason Hewlett
ILB: Michael Barrett
2. Nikhai Hill-Green / Ernest Hausmann
4. Jimmy Rolder
5. Micah Pollard / Jaydon Hood
7. Deuce Spurlock / Semaj Bridgeman
9. Hayden Moore / Jason Hewlett
EDGE/OLB: Jaylen Harrell / Eyabi Okie
3 Josaiah Stewart
4. Joey Velasquez
5. Kechaun Bennett / Tyler McLaurin
7. Breeon Ishmail
CB: Will Johnson
2. (*possible transfer*)
3. Ja'Den McBurrows / Jalen Perry / German Green
6. Myles Pollard / *Jyaire Hill*
8. Cameron Calhoun
CB: Gemon Green
2. (*possible transfer*)
3. Ja'Den McBurrows / Jalen Perry / German Green
6. Myles Pollard / *Jyaire Hill*
8. Cameron Calhoun
NB: Mike Sainristil
2. Zeke Berry / Kody Jones
S: Rod Moore
2. Caden Kolesar / Zeke Berry
4. Damani Dent
S: Makari Paige
2. R.J. Moten
3. Keon Sabb / Quinten Johnson
5. D'Juan Waller
K: Tommy Doman / Adam Samaha
P: Tommy Doman
WATCHLIST (Guys who I'm watching to closely):
*NFL (currently assumed as going pro)*
RB: Blake Corum
WR: Cornelius Johnson
RG: Zak Zinter
NT: Mazi Smith
EDGE: Mike Morris
CB: DJ Turner
...*also*
RB: Tavierre Dunlap
RB: Leon Franklin
WR: Cristian Dixon
WR: Eamonn Dennis
LG: Trevor Keegan
RG: Reece Atteberry
EDGE: Taylor Upshaw
ILB: Michael Barrett
ILB: Jaydon Hood
EDGE: TJ Guy
EDGE/OLB: Joey Velasquez
EDGE/OLB: Tyler McLaurin
CB: Gemon Green
CB: Gemon Green
(I forgot NT: Cam Goode, but the formatting sucks)
*HS*
ATH: Nyckoles Harbor
ATH: Malachi Coleman
WR: Karmello English
NT: Jamel Howard
CB: Jyaire Hill
*Portal*
CB: Fentrell Cypress
CB: Tony Grimes
December 21st, 2022 at 9:35 AM ^
why on earth would a DB want to go play in that defense?!
Because he'd be the star player? They clearly have a HUGE need for good DB's, and they're still a perennial playoff contender.
December 20th, 2022 at 8:14 PM ^
Is there any evidence to suggest Gentry will play RG? Dude is 6'8 and you normally don't put them in the interior.
December 20th, 2022 at 8:25 PM ^
He played both this year. I tend to lean towards RT, but now that we have 3 guys who could legitimately start there, there's a logjam.
December 20th, 2022 at 8:17 PM ^
I'd put Upshaw 2nd behind Jenkins.
December 20th, 2022 at 8:29 PM ^
He would be giving up 30-40 lbs if you mean as every down backup.
Assuming he's back, he's probably locked into that role on 3rd down in the rush package.
But I can't see him as the true #2.
December 20th, 2022 at 8:20 PM ^
That's a really loaded and balanced team. Only obviously holes I see are a proven outside WR and #3 CB.
We'll probably start ranked in the top 3-5 with the usual suspects (Bama, UGA, OSU)
A couple more years of this and we become a reload instead of rebuild type program. Depth is getting there fast.
December 20th, 2022 at 8:23 PM ^
Interestingly, all of the usual suspects have to replace their Qb. I would be surprised if we aren’t top 3 preseason provided there is no wild transfer portal or injury stuff after or during playoffs.
December 20th, 2022 at 9:05 PM ^
Bama and UGA I would get. If they put OSU, he’ll, even Clemson, then you know they A. Don’t know shit about football or B. The fix is in (/s)
December 20th, 2022 at 8:24 PM ^
This looks like a top team provided Edwards doesn’t get hurt. I wouldn’t mind one more dependable portal RB M can count on some if Edwards goes down. Right now it’s mostly question marks.
December 20th, 2022 at 8:28 PM ^
I don’t think green comes back. He is even older than dj. Some chance that crippen transfers as well. In any case, holy smokes.
December 20th, 2022 at 8:54 PM ^
Look for Michigan to lose another QB, a RB, one maybe two WRs, possibly a lineman, one edge guy, one ILB, and one or two CBs.
I won’t name any names but suffice to say the list you have under •also• covers most of them. It doesn’t cover the QB or CB I’ve heard nor the ILB I have heard.
That would take 9 guys off of your list. Most of the guys I have heard will wait until they see where they’re at after spring ball most likely. Some may transfer after the playoffs. Most of the guys love Michigan but they realize their path to the playing field is slim. There was one player i mentioned might follow Cade after the playoffs. After what happened with All, he’s no longer considering transferring and going to Iowa. He was put off by how they acted and doesn’t want to be associated with them. He loves Michigan, but feels he could be a stater elsewhere in the Big Ten. 70-30 he sticks at Michigan now after what happened. But either way he won’t be heading to Iowa
December 20th, 2022 at 10:19 PM ^
Possibly a lineman? Right now we have about 20. That’s about 5 too many.
December 20th, 2022 at 10:43 PM ^
You provide great insight and also respect your source and the trust they give you so I know you won’t confirm or deny any speculation posed from your post.
In light of that I will speculate channeling my inner GOJ:
QB: Has to be either JD or AO. Based on chances to see the field I would say JD because of a possible position switch for AO. Unless the aforementioned wants to play QB.
RB: I would assume we are speaking of scholarship players so my guess would be TD.
WR: CD and ED; outside possibility of maybe AA but that one seems a stretch due to how close he is with DE and JJM
Lineman: RA, RA, or GC
Edge: TG or TM
ILB: This one I’m a bit unsure on seeing as in we didn’t have many this year. Based on PT and class they are in I’m going to think maybe JH
CB: JP
December 20th, 2022 at 8:56 PM ^
That is a championship-level roster. One thing that will be a big deal IMO will be JJ having an offseason to work on timing with his WRs. He was injured for most of the offseason this year and didn't get to drill with the WRs in the spring/summer. That probably would have helped with his deep ball early in the season.
December 20th, 2022 at 10:48 PM ^
Blake Corum agrees with you which is why he is struggling to make what seems like a pragmatic decision.
December 20th, 2022 at 11:50 PM ^
I believe most people are over looking this factor when considering JJ "accuracy". Great passing games are dependent on timing and high level trust between QB and the receiving core.
JJ had zero opportunity to develop any of that chemistry last Spring and Summer. Plus I would have to project that he was splitting reps with Cade during Fall camp, further cutting into chemistry development.
This Spring and Summer, there is zero question who the #1 QB is...
I would expect at least 1 or 2 from the receiving core to develop a high level of chemistry and trust with JJ over the Spring and Summer. This is just another point to my belief that we are just getting started and have not come close to reaching their potential.
December 20th, 2022 at 8:57 PM ^
I still think Michigan loses both guards to the draft. The incoming transfers basically confirm this. Keegan has his degree and there is nothing left for him to learn at Michigan. If they win the natty, he goes pro, no question. Even if they don't, he probably still goes pro.
I also think it is a little optimistic to believe Gemon Green stays. He just got passed by Will Johnson and he also has his degree. I know there is an open spot if DJ goes but I'm inclined to believe he either goes pro or transfers. Call it intuition more than anything concrete.
Also Drake Nugent was brought to Michigan to start at center, not to ride the bench. Crippen (if he stays) isn't likely to beat him for the starting job. Nugent is too good.
December 20th, 2022 at 9:27 PM ^
I think the line looks something like this:
Henderson- El Hadi- Nugent- Barnhart- Jones
Granted I haven’t seen much (any) of Stanford, but everything I’ve heard about Hinton sounds like he’s a work in progress so I have some doubts about him beating out Jones at tackle. I too believe both Keegan and Zinter go pro. Barnhart started over Jones late in the year at RT but he seems like a more natural guard to me.
Green would be ideal as a CB starter and the path is clearly there but everything you mentioned is spot on. He’s getting NFL talk and there’s not much else he can do here.
December 21st, 2022 at 1:10 PM ^
Persi's development is going to be interesting to watch. I hope he plays well enough to push Henderson inside to one of the guard positions. If that's the case then next years line could be even better than this years. I think he's got the potential since he's the last "build-an-LT" on the roster. Taylor Lewan was one of those. They tend to be more athletic than your typical LT.
December 21st, 2022 at 1:31 PM ^
Henderson and Barnhart both having inside/outside versatility is huge. Really gives them the flexibility to get the best 5 guys out there.
December 20th, 2022 at 10:05 PM ^
Hayes had his degree and came back and he was on draft boards last year. Not necessarily any higher than he is now. But be was there.
Not sure Keegan's situation is much different.
December 20th, 2022 at 10:45 PM ^
I feel that what we saw from Keegan this year is better than what we saw from Hayes last year. Keegan I think has reached that point of “has done enough” while Hayes maybe had a little more he needed to show
December 21st, 2022 at 12:11 AM ^
The incoming OL transfers definitely don't confirm they will lose both guards to the draft.
Henderson is a penciled-in starter, but most likely at LT. Nugent is likely to take over the starting C spot, but he could get a push from whichever of Crippen or Anderson is around. Then Hinton is a project who likely fits in at RT but is by no means ready to start next season. None of these three transfers are likely to play at either guard spot for next year's team.
Zinter is almost assuredly off to the draft since he's getting day 2 grades, but there is still a good chance Keegan returns whether they win a National Championship or not.
December 21st, 2022 at 12:44 AM ^
Why does everyone think Henderson is a LT he started at RG for Arizona state and he was considered by most fans there best player. From the tape I saw he looks like he’s best inside utilized on the pulls this offense likes to utilize. I think Barnhardt is a better tackle than he is a guard.
December 21st, 2022 at 1:35 PM ^
Henderson started his career at tackle and Michigan has far more starter ready players at guard than tackle. I don’t know what you’ve seen from Barnhart that tells you he’s a better tackle than a guard, but I have the opposite impression.
December 20th, 2022 at 9:14 PM ^
Well, if this is what it looked like (we don't really know, of course), then I would say we would all be right here next year at this time waiting for our chance to play for a spot in the Championship Game.
December 20th, 2022 at 10:48 PM ^
JJ plays UGA for a 3rd time in the final installment of the UGA-UM trilogy. Return of our Jedi in the Thrilla in the Lone Star
December 20th, 2022 at 9:19 PM ^
Jyaire Hill is too low imo. A lot of chatter about him being able to play right away, and I’d probably slot him alongside someone like McBurrows and guys like German Green and Jalen Perry below them.
December 20th, 2022 at 9:30 PM ^
It took Will Johnson almost a full season to play at his now current high level. It took Charles Woodson about half his freshman year to hit his stride.
Jyaire may be a nice rotation piece next year, but nothing suggests he will be starter level like Johnson or Woodson - who came in as college ready as a corner could be - his freshman year.
There is a lot to learn at that position, specifically with the more multiple and complicated coverages we like to run now.
December 20th, 2022 at 9:40 PM ^
I’m not saying he’s going to be starter level. I said there’s chatter he’ll be able to play right away. That doesn’t mean day 1 starter or even that he’ll start at any point in the season.
I’d simply have him above guys like German Green and Jalen Perry who have struggled to see the field and haven’t looked good in their limited appearances thus far. I’d put a rotational corner level player above those guys.
December 20th, 2022 at 11:22 PM ^
Dude isn't even committed or on campus and there's chatter he could play right away? Get the heck outta here
December 21st, 2022 at 8:16 AM ^
I don’t know why this shocks you, but yeah. Scouts and insiders tend to evaluate these recruits in high school before they commit and project where they’d slot on the roster.
Hell, the blog does this on every single “Hello” post on the main page. Have you never read the “predictions based on flimsy evidence” section?
December 20th, 2022 at 9:56 PM ^
Hill isn’t competing against turner and gemon for PT like Will was though. Question is can he beat out mcburrows for example.
December 20th, 2022 at 11:47 PM ^
If McBurrows is healthy and on the roster, I would expect him to be a starter or the first corner off the bench. I don’t see Hill passing him as a true freshman.
December 21st, 2022 at 12:34 PM ^
I don't disagree...I just couldn't bring myself to add another slash with the 3 guys ahead of him. I truly have no idea...experience vs. potential.
I thought Sabb and Berry would get more run as true freshman DBs so I took that lesson and applied it here.
December 20th, 2022 at 9:22 PM ^
MaizeBlueA2= em0 posts from yesteryear. Constant depth charts. Incessant replys to any criticism.
I've had the hunch for a while now. Either way, I like these/his posts.
December 20th, 2022 at 10:07 PM ^
I was around when em0 was around (and his depth charts sucked). He also spoke like he was 14.
And I reply to people who reply to me (like I'm doing now)...especially if they're questioning something. It's a message board, isn't that the point?
I just keep a note in my phone, which makes it easy to update. If I make enough changes, I'll provide an update. It's really not that big of a deal.
Relax, "There are (X) Days Until..." threads will be here before you know it.
December 20th, 2022 at 11:18 PM ^
No worries, either way. I was just pointing out the similarity. As I said, I appreciate the work you put into it.
December 20th, 2022 at 10:51 PM ^
Wasn’t Mr. Yost the guy who used to do all the depth charts before he went borderline psychotic in the 2017 Penn St Game Thread?
December 21st, 2022 at 12:34 PM ^
It wasn't the 2017 PSU thread (I just looked through both of them).
It was for questioning umB1G11 for saying Speight was going to start:
https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/meta-record-setting-performance
I just Googled it, there's another thread on Maizen not breaking the record.
Bullies. A bunch of bullies. 🤣
December 20th, 2022 at 9:58 PM ^
More portal activity than the last time I played the Orange Box..
December 20th, 2022 at 10:25 PM ^
Scarily well done. All quibbles are by necessity minor.
December 20th, 2022 at 10:40 PM ^
I see Barnhart at RT, Henderson at RG, Nugent starts, Keegan or ElHadi, and Hinton’s athleticism shines with this staff at LT.
Seriously we could be joking about the Sherrone Moore award again next year.
Five star RBs should ringing Harbaugh off the hook to come visit.
December 20th, 2022 at 10:54 PM ^
Yes they should. In the meantime though, we have another year of “The Don”
After that, I think Stokes can be the guy as a junior. He reminds me a lot of Higdon who was a really good bellcow for 2 years and imagine if he had a Moore OL for those years. Also that gives Cabana two full years of Herbert’s S&C and can be (almost) what Corum was to Haskins as a sophomore.
December 20th, 2022 at 11:11 PM ^
Stokes should be able to spot DE in 2023 fine. He was way more advanced as a true freshman RB than I was expecting for a guy coming from small private school ball in SC.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:51 AM ^
Stokes has the skill sets to be very good. He just needs more experience to develop the confidence, patience and vision. His future is promising.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:59 AM ^
What about Jones? He had beaten out Barnhart pre-injury.
December 20th, 2022 at 10:44 PM ^
...*also*
CB: Gemon Green
CB: Gemon Green
"Hi, I'm German. This is my brother Gemon, and my other brother Gemon."
December 20th, 2022 at 11:49 PM ^
+1: Underrated