Next years 2 deep is taking form

Submitted by TK on December 17th, 2021 at 1:39 PM

With this season not yet concluded, it’s obvious we are jumping the gun a little to make any definitive conclusions on next years 2 deep. However the fortunate thing for Michigan is that we can make pretty good assumptions on about 85% of it right now. And that’s a great position to be in. It’s almost certain this will not be 100 pct accurate and there will be battles in camp, but on paper this looks really strong overall. Compared to other off-season there are far less question marks. I am assuming Ojabo, Hill, Ross, Moody are not back. 
Also assuming Sams balls are correct on Oluwatami.

Biggest things that will be decided:

1. The 5 best on the OL. 
2. Who takes over for Hutchinson/Ojabo. 
3. The secondary. We will have more talent in the secondary than we have had since 2016, but who wins those battles and where they play is still unknown. 
 

QB: JJ-So OR McNamara-Jr

RB: Corum-Jr /Edwards-So

WR: Johnson-Sr/Wilson-Jr

WR: Anthony-So/Sainristill-Sr

WR: Bell-Sr/Henning-Jr

TE: All-Sr/Schoonmaker-Sr

LT: Hayes-Sr/Persi-So

LG: Keegan-Jr/Atteberry-So

C: Oluwatami-Sr/Crippen-So/

RG: Zinter-Jr/El-Hadi-RFr

RT: Jones-Jr/Barnhart-Sr

 

DT: Hinton-Sr/Benny-Rfr

DT: Smith-Jr/Jenkins-So

DE: Morris-Jr/McGregor-So

Edge: Harrell-So/ Upshaw-Jr

LB: Colson-So/Hood-Rfr

LB: Hill-Green-So/Mullins-So

NB: Moore-So/Johnson-Fr

CB: Gray-Sr/Perry-Jr 

CB: Turner-Jr/McBurrows-Rfr

SS: Moten-Jr/Sabb-Fr

FS: Paige-JrSo/Berry-Fr

K: Hussung?

P: Doman 

MGoBoard

TK

December 17th, 2021 at 1:49 PM ^

Agree. I always like looking ahead a little and it’s been pretty common for me in past years to think we have so many question marks. There are far less going into next season. The really good teams have the next wave ready to step in and most can predict the 2 deep somewhat accurately. 

Joined: 09/23/2014

MGoPoints: 18078

skatin@the_palace

December 17th, 2021 at 2:16 PM ^

Was thinking about this last week. For the first time in sometime we have true DEPTH. There’s not ambiguity about who’s capable enough to be a starter or get rotation reps. Honestly gotta give it up to the coaching staff for being able to get so many bodies in games and their ability to put guys in spots to succeed. 

Joined: 09/07/2019

MGoPoints: 3078

The Oracle 2

December 17th, 2021 at 3:35 PM ^

I’m not saying Michigan won’t be a good team, but the loss of Hutchinson/Ojabo will be huge. Being able to consistently pressure the QB was the biggest reason they were finally able to beat OSU and Hutchinson was the best player on the field in every game. In fact, Hutchinson has been the first truly great player Michigan has had since Harbaugh arrived, and it’s no coincidence that this is also the first year they’ve ended up among the elite. Michigan has been good at coming up with quality edge players, but I haven’t seen the guy who looks like he can step up to fill that void next season. If the defense isn’t going to be as good, the offense will need to be even better, which is another reason to go with the ultra talented McCarthy over the steady McNamara.

Joined: 02/25/2018

MGoPoints: 19192

blue in dc

December 17th, 2021 at 4:42 PM ^

One would be a fool to think that losing Hutchinson and likely Ojabo is not a big loss.   That having been said, I think there are several things that mitigate it.

1. I feel like Macdonald worked hard to put his players in a position to succeed.   I suspect with a different mix of players, he will adjust his game-plan (e.g. he wouldn’t stubbornly insist on relying heavily on man coverage if his corners weren’t athletic enough).   

2. I think there is a good chance that the interior line will be able to be more of a for e next year.

3. With the athletes this team has on defense, we could see a pash rush coming from many positions.

4. Did anyone think that Ojabo would be the force he was this year?   Heck, Aiden Hutchinson went into the season with 4.5 sacks in his career.  Did anyone really expect him to be the for e he turned out to be this year? We may be pleasantly surprised by some returning players taking a step up at edge,

Joined: 01/22/2011

MGoPoints: 20401

1WhoStayed

December 17th, 2021 at 5:04 PM ^

Oh for fuck sake! JJ’s girlfriend is back masquerading as an Oracle. Is there ANY post you’ve made that doesn’t have “JJ should start” as the bottom line?

And for the record, you were WRONG every time you posted that we couldn’t beat OSU with Cade at QB. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

I see very positive signs with JJ as well. Not to the level of man crush (if you aren’t his mom /GF) you have. But if/when he gets his chance I’ll be rooting for him 100%.
just like I am for Cade (and JJ) New Years Eve!

But seriously, JJ isn’t the answer to how we replace a (two?) top tier defensive end. SMF.

End rant.

Joined: 09/07/2015

MGoPoints: 12095

Hail to the Vi…

December 18th, 2021 at 8:45 PM ^

Michigan has had a handful of first team All-American's under Harbaugh (Jake Butt, Jordan Lewis, Jabril Peppers, Maurice Hurst, Devin Bush, Aidan Hutchinson, Jake Moody), so to say Hutch is the first great player that played for JH is simply not true. 

I do agree, there is no heir apparent for Hutchinson or Ojabo if he elects to leave, and specifically with Hutch is rational to assume there is not going to be one. Finishing second in the Heisman voting as a DE/Edge player underscores just how special of a player he was this season. Those are things that you can't expect to replicate year-over-year. At the same time, did any of us expect Ojabo to be graded as a mid-first round pick coming into this season? Or even in early October for that matter? Guys can maker huge strides over off season and as they gain game time experience. It's entirely possible other guys step up to fill production voids - we just don't know who they are yet.

There is enough returning talent on this defense to reasonably assume they will be a pretty strong unit again next year.

Joined: 09/13/2010

MGoPoints: 12888

massblue

December 17th, 2021 at 3:56 PM ^

"For the first time in a long time"

That is accurate, but we should stop and ask why so quickly things turned around so much. 

Just 6 months ago, almost everyone on this board was complaining about the lack of depth and quality players in every position.  It is a remarkable turnaround, especially given the fact that almost no one from the current recruiting class is expected to be a major contributor.

Joined: 08/15/2009

MGoPoints: 10376

NonAlumFan

December 17th, 2021 at 2:54 PM ^

I'm intrigued by the kicker/punter competition. Doman was ranked higher than Hussung for both positions, but Hussung will be a junior. I'm curious if the coaches will play the best person for punting, FG's, and kickoffs or if they'll split the duties even if Doman is better at them all.

Either way, Doman seems to be ready to play (they say 55+ yard range), so whether it's him or Hussung beats him out I think we're still in good shape.

Joined: 09/07/2021

MGoPoints: 1232

smotheringD

December 17th, 2021 at 4:04 PM ^

It's actually scary to think how good our offense can be next year if we led the nation in 50+ plays this year and still left many chunk plays on the field.

If our QB's are able to take advantage of our stable of thoroughbreds at WR next year.  If they can see them running free deep and hit them in stride?  Smh.  Do you realize how much room that will free up for BC and DE?  Then add McCarthy and his wheels with a better grasp of the offense potentially playing a bigger role?  And who knows how big of a step up McNamara will take in his development.  I love JJ but I'm not ready to write Cade off yet.  And our OL poised to be perhaps even better next year?

I don't think Gattis is going anywhere.  While still totally focused on GA right now, deep down I bet he's chomping at the bit to see what he'll be able to dial up next year with all of those weapons.

Joined: 09/15/2010

MGoPoints: 7606

SC Wolverine

December 17th, 2021 at 1:52 PM ^

One thing this shows is that the Oluwatami transfer is a big deal.  It would take away alot of uncertainty on our O line.  And if the O-line is good, we have excellent skill players in a system that is getting well-honed.  

Joined: 08/18/2010

MGoPoints: 7794

jaggs

December 17th, 2021 at 5:10 PM ^

No problem however projecting the starting QB on the #2 ranked, 12-1, playoff bound team to an "OR" spot. What does the man have to do to please people? Cade with those offensive weapons has proven to be explosive, give the man a break. Sure, bring JJ further along with some more dedicated packages, and maybe as the season rolls along he can overtake Cade, however it seems ludicrous to start there before this season is even over.

Joined: 02/03/2009

MGoPoints: 4832

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

December 17th, 2021 at 9:14 PM ^

Moore is the most glaring (maybe only glaring) discrepancy between this roster and the current roster. Moore is a true FS in a traditional D - fantastic at downloading the play and making open field plays - so not sure why NB is listed. Also, I thought Johnson was George at NB but now think it’s referring to Will. Will should be 2nd or even 1st at CB.

Otherwise, basically the current 2-deep.

Joined: 11/01/2012

MGoPoints: 18054

BTB grad

December 17th, 2021 at 2:12 PM ^

He’s going to take either Turner or Gray’s job by week 3 or 4 of season. While those two were superb down the stretch, let’s not act like they were Jourdan Lewis or David Long out there. CBs are usually the easiest to have their athleticism and size translate quickly and this guy is just way too talented to not be on the field. Hell, Moore and Colson started by end of the season as 4 stars.

My other predictions: I think they try to use true frosh Derrick Moore at EDGE and will get significant snaps by the end of the year. Mason Graham is going to get significant snaps at DT.  Zeke Berry will get snaps at Dax’s position and Keon Sabb will get snaps at the Michael Barrett position. Highly skilled freshman are utilized at the best programs. We saw it this year from Moore, Colson, Edwards, and JJ and we need to get used to it.

Joined: 12/01/2015

MGoPoints: 23518

JHumich

December 17th, 2021 at 1:55 PM ^

So much time and so many variables between now and then even for just who will be involved.

Let alone the opportunity to distinguish themselves in spring ball.

Bookmark your post, and let's come back in August and see how much resemblance there is.

Joined: 02/18/2017

MGoPoints: 52972

CJW3

December 17th, 2021 at 2:02 PM ^

This team looks so damn good next year, the only thing that remotely worries me is the organic pass rush from the ends.  Even if we don't have an above average rush from the edge positions (no chance we replicate what Hutch and Ojabo do) I trust that McDonald will be able to scheme pressure.  That said, edge development has been a strength of this program for basically a decade and Michigan has plenty of bullets in the chamber to score a couple of hits, and several guys who have had significant playing time this year.

I really hate to bring this discussion up, since Cade has proven that he deserves to be the starter this season, but I don't see how JJ isn't the starter next season. He's just got too much talent, and giving him bowl practices and a full offseason to learn the offense and develop, I don't see how he won't take control of the job.  Really hope that Cade sticks out the year as a backup and grad transfers to play a year or two at a different school then get drafted.

With JJ, this receiving core, and Gattis scheming up the pass game, this is a preseason top ten playoff contender easy.

 

Joined: 10/13/2011

MGoPoints: 420

The Homie J

December 17th, 2021 at 4:18 PM ^

no chance we replicate what Hutch and Ojabo do

While probably true, I remember worrying about replacing Chase Winovich and Rashan Gary after the 2018 season.  In 2019 (with help from Josh Uche), we seamlessly transitioned to Aidan and Kwity.  And saw a kid stuck in Scotland during the heights of the pandemic skyrocketing next to Hutchinson and getting himself into the top end of the draft after literally barely playing the last few seasons.

We won't have a combo as good as Hutch/Ojabo, but the new guys should be just fine I'd imagine.

Joined: 01/11/2018

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