Next years 2 deep is taking form

2 observations right off the top -

At QB is McNamara AND McCarthy (not OR)

And Will Johnson is getting on the field somewhere, and not just as Rod Moore's backup! 

Book that!

Another positional question - is Henning really a WR? He runs a lot more often than he catches ?‍♂️

Team looks good but replacing those 25 or so sacks on defense is going to be tough.   Also, beat Georgia!

That's a sick offense. JJ might be hard to keep off the field indeed.  Love Cade and his leadership, but JJ has shown flashes of that next level stuff you see from the Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields type players.

There were murmurs that Ojabo might come back, but I think as a top 10-15 pick he should go - but obviously would be incredible to have him for 1 more year.

We should basically be better everywhere but on the edge - which is a huge loss given how Hutch and Ojabo have been absolute game wreckers all year.  Ideally, the middle of the D-line is better and makes up for some of that loss and the next guys up are good to great as well.

You never know how a team will gel and where the player leadership will come from.  Losing Haskins, Hutch, and Ross is a ton of  leadership lost and that would be my biggest concern. 

On pure talent, next year's team is probably better all around than this year's squad, but as we all know, that guarantees nothing.  Ideally the new culture and associated coaching changes that were made continue to build the program up.

The 2022 offense could be **special**. Even more explosive than 2021 and, maybe, more physical too. The putative depth chart speaks to that kind of balance/harmony. (I’m not sure we’ll need Oluwatami for this prophecy but he’ll only help and maybe significantly.)

As a general rule, I would question the position of any upperclassman who isn't a starter and any draft-eligible plus starter from this team. Not to say that all of those players will be gone, but a portion will be. First, guys will only wait so long to play. If they're unhappy with their roles, they will leave for another team. Second, our NFL draft early entry discussions are usually limited to Ojabo and Hill but you don't become a playoff team without a number of NFL-worthy players. I expect several to at least test the waters and go if they get good grades.

The team will be good next year. You laid out a team that's an EDGE emerging away from being a juggernaut. I think there will be a bit more attrition than that.

I know this may sound like heresy, but are we sure Bell starts next year? The complaints about the WR corps seemed to die down a bit in November.

Just read a nice article about our top 10 targets for ‘23 class, I messed up the link, at Maize and Brew. Number 1 was QB Dante Moore from King.

There are rumblings that All and Gray will go pro after this season.

If that turns out to be true, that changes the TE and CB depth charts a bit. And either way with Gray, I would expect Johnson to be in the 2-deep at CB.

I would also expect to see Sabb in the NB role, with Moore taking over Hawkins' Safety position.

It's going to be tough to replace the pass-rush the team has enjoyed from Hutch/Ojabo. We should enjoy it while we still can. 

Wow i just had a McFarlin flashback... oh wait TK didn't do a 2 deep for the next 5 years ;)

I don’t think you’re National Championship starting QB is an or for next year. 

McGregor is going to be the next breakout player on the Dline.

Johnson will be a starting CB sooner rather than later.

i hope by K you mean "Moody in another meatbag"

I always enjoy looking ahead a bit as well. I'm sure there will be some changes...as someone else stated there will likely be 1-3 transfers or early pro entries you are not anticipated. All that said...this 2-deep looks damn good. 

I'm curious who is going to be the one who really steps up as a leader next year. I think they have really cultivated a feeling of the team being the leaders and folks stepping up so I'm sure someone will fill that void with Hutch leaving...but I wonder who? <-- that doesn't mean I think someone is going to replicate hutch top to bottom, of course

I count 10 proven pass catchers. No matter who is QB they will have weapons on every level. You have two big bodied deep ball guys in Johnson and Anthony. Slot guys in Sainristil (and an A+ blocker) and Henning. A do everything guy in Bell and Wilson kind of is in the Bell mold too. Add in two proven experienced TEs and what has to be the best receiving backfield in the nation. With the OL looking to be pretty stable especially if we get a Remington finalist at C to replace Vastardis, all we need is Jones or Barnhart to take over for Stueber.

This could be the best offense we have seen in I don’t know how long. 

Plus they’ll be coming off a national championship 

Wasn’t Gemon Green a starter for the first half of the season or so, until he got hurt?  Don’t see why you wouldn’t have him on the two deep.

Another great post TK. Thanks for your thoughts!

Edge is going to be a fascinating position. Morris and Harrell seem more like situational players at this point, albeit on completely different ends of the spectrum. There's a lot to like about Upshaw but at the end of the day, I think he lacks bend and he doesn't have a great get off. My guess is by midseason, one of McGregor/Guy/Bennett/Moore is starting for us on the edge. I also think we're going to be utilizing more 5 man fronts, which gets Harrell on the field. Also, Barrett is going to be playing over Hill-Green more often than not, though I think both guys are quality players. 

I do have one bold prediction, which is that Moore is going to stay at free safety and one of Seldon, Dennis, or Jones will start at nickelback. I respectfully disagree with Brian and Seth about the nickelback position. It's basically a small, quick cornerback who is willing to throw his body around. I don't think we're looking for a safety to play the position. I think Michigan was just spoiled with having a decent sized cornerback who masqueraded as a safety (Daxton Hill). That's not going to be the norm moving forward IMO.

I don't know how I feel about Oluwatami. I like the idea of using one of our own though I understand the kids talented.

Green and Morant will be on the two deep. 

I think Will Johnson starts from day one. Not entirely sure who he will supplant, and I still expect all of those DBs to play a lot. It will probably be, at worst, a sort of 4-man rotation at NB/CB. 

I also expect Mason Graham to be on the depth chart and get some rotational snaps early on. 

If things go as I hope they do, next season will likely be Gattis’ last at Michigan. Because our offense is going to be great and he will get a head coaching gig after back to back + years.

Are we still running a 4-3 next year?

I used to lament that no one ever seemed to use the old chestnut "They don't rebuild, they reload" when talking about Michigan. I expect I'll hear it this coming off-season.

Lots of familiar names in their, but I'm still a little worried this team was carried by Hutch, Ojabo, and Hill on defense. If we lose the elite guy on the back end and the pass rush, where does that leave us?