OT: '17-'18 Depth Chart: Version 3 ("Kum-Ba-Yah Edition")

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

Posting this for one reason. Because too much of the talk on the board today is trying to place blame.

I already know this thread likely isn't going to go over well - but, it's time to look forward. If you have snowflakes, put them in the Snowflake threads below. You can place your feelings there for everyone to read if he/she chooses.

Bad loss, and I too feel like shit, but crying about it and blaming players on the team or fighting over legacy isn't going to help or change anything (in a positive manner).

There isn't one guy on that team or associated with that program that didn't do everything he could to win that game last night. Not one.

Notes:

  1. He's coming back, dammit.
  2. I don't know the EE freshman, so I can't really predict who's going to play and who isn't. It's Decemeber of the year before...I really don't care at this point. The EE's will obviously have a leg up on the rest.
  3. I realize this is Michigan-related and technically not "OT" - but it's still way too far away to be ON topic, IMO...just some fantasy to take your mind off of yesterday's game.
  4. I realize we're likely going to have 1 more QB transfer.
  5. I will try and go back and update this throughout the year to keep it as current as possible.

QB
1. Wilton Speight (RS Jr.)
2. John O'Korn (RS Sr.) / Brandon Peters (RS Fr.)
4. Alex Malzone (RS So.)
rs: Dylan McCaffrey (Fr.)

RB
1. Karan Higdon (Jr.)  / Chris Evans (So.)
3. Kareem Walker (RS Fr.) / Ty Isaac (RS Sr.)
5. Kingston Davis (RS Fr.)
rs: Kurt Taylor (Fr.)

Hybrid RB/Slot
1. Chris Evans (So.)
2. Jabrill Peppers (RS Jr.) 
3. O'Maury Samuels (Fr.)

FB
1. Khalid Hill (RS Sr.)
2. Henry Poggi (RS Sr.)
rs: Ben Mason (Fr.)

WR1
1. Kekoa Crawford (So.)
2. Drake Harris (RS Jr.)
3. Tarik Black (Fr.)

WR2
1. Donovan Peoples-Jones (Fr.)
2. Maurice Ways (RS Jr.)
3. Brad Hawkins (Fr.)

SLOT
1. susp: Grant Perry (Jr.)
2. Eddie McDoom (So.) 
3. Nate Johnson (So.)

TE1
1. Ian Bunting (RS Jr.)
2. Sean McKeon (RS Fr.)
3. Zach Gentry (RS So.) / Nick Eubanks (RS Fr.)

TE2
1. Devin Asiasi (So.)
2. Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (RS So.)

LT
1. Juwan Bushell-Beatty (RS Jr.)
2. Nolan Ulizio (RS So.)
inj rs: Grant Newsome (Jr.)

LG
1. Patrick Kugler (RS Sr.)
2. David Dawson (RS Sr.)
3. Stephen Spanellis (RS Fr.) / Jon Runyan Jr. (RS So.)
rs: Joel Honigford (Fr.)

C
1. Mason Cole (Sr.)
2. Patrick Kugler (RS Sr.)
3. Jon Runyan Jr. (RS So.)
rs: Cesar Ruiz (Fr.)

RG
1. Michael Onwenu (So.)
2. David Dawson (RS Sr.)
3. Stephen Spanellis (RS Fr.) / Jon Runyan Jr. (RS So.)
rs: Andrew Stueber (Fr.)

RT
1. Ben Bredeson (So)
2. Nolan Ulizio (RS So.)
rs: Kai-Leon Herbert (Fr.)
rs: JaRaymond Hall (Fr.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

WDE
1. Chase Winovich (RS Jr.)
2. Carlo Kemp (So.) / Luiji Vilain (Fr.)
4. Shelton Johnson (RS So.)

NG
1. Bryan Mone (RS Jr.)
2. Michael Dwumfour (RS Fr.)
rs: Phillip Paea (Fr.)

DT
1. Maurice Hurst (RS Sr.)
2. Rashan Gary (So.)
3. Donovan Jeter (Fr.) / James Hudson (Fr.)

SDE
1. Rashan Gary (So.)
2. Lawrence Marshall (RS Jr.) / Ron Johnson (RS Fr.)
4. Corey Malone-Hatcher (Fr.) / Deron Irving-Bey (Fr.)
rs: Corey Malone-Hatcher (Fr.) / Deron Irving-Bey (Fr.)

OLB
1. Mike McCray (RS Sr.)
2. Noah Furbush (RS Jr.)
3. Reuben Jones (RS So.) / Devin Gil (RS Fr.)
5. Elysee Mbem-Bosse (RS Fr.)
rs: Kwity Paye (Fr.)

ILB
1. Devin Bush Jr. (So.)
2. Josh Uche (RS Fr.) / Josh Ross (Fr.)
4. Jordan Anthony (Fr.)
5. Jared Wangler (RS Jr.)
rs: Drew Singleton (Fr.)

VIPER
1. Jabrill Peppers (RS Jr.)
2. Josh Metellus (So.)
3. Jordan Glasgow (RS So.) / Khaleke Hudson (So.)

CB
1. Lavert Hill (So.)
2. Ambry Thomas (Fr.) / Benjamin St.-Juste (Fr.)

CB
1. David Long (RS Fr.) / Brandon Watson (RS Jr.)
3. Keith Washington (RS So.)

S
1. Tyree Kinnel (Jr.)
2. Jaylen Kelly-Powell (Fr.)

S
1. Jeremy Clark (6th Sr.)
2. Jabrill Peppers (RS Jr.)
3. Josh Mettelus (So.) / J'Marick Woods (Fr.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

K
1. Quinn Nordin (RS Fr.)

P
1. Will Hart (RS Fr.)

KO
1. Quinn Nordin (RS Fr.)

MGoBoard
Football
Mr. Yost
'17-'18 Depth Chart

reddogrjw

December 31st, 2016 at 3:18 PM ^

1 - neither was as highly rated as Ruiz

2 - neither played at IMG

3 -  Jones recruitment lists him as a guard on 247, so position change

4 - Kelly had Jones in front of him and Saban had his depth charts rolling by then - we don't

 

if we land a top C in the 2018 class then I would expect a red shirt

but we NEED Ruiz to start in 2018, and he might be better than Cole in 2017 even

Joined: 07/06/2016

MGoPoints: 9845

Mr. Yost

December 31st, 2016 at 3:59 PM ^

Come on.

He's not better than a guy who just had to make a decision not to go pro early as a senior in HS.

If he's that good, then you put him at OG his freshman year.

My point is...you don't use him as a backup against scrubs. You have to read the entire conversation.

If he's going to play. PLAY.

But he doesn't need mop up time as a backup center just to get experience for 2018 - that's dumb.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898225

WBALLZ

December 31st, 2016 at 2:36 PM ^

I've been debating which QB scenario I should hope for Wilton finds the magic touch or Peters proves seizes the day. We are going to need one of the two to be able to carry the team in their shoulders and make plays.



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M_Born M_Believer

December 31st, 2016 at 2:10 PM ^

Noted that in the Bowl practices, Runyan was possible the 6th best lineman. I certainly expect some transfers out that will in turn lead to some 5th grad transfers in. It's going to be an interesting off season. First closing out recruiting, then the Spring practices and then a highly anticipated Spring Game before the lull of summertime.....

Joined: 11/11/2009

MGoPoints: 11786

Night_King

December 31st, 2016 at 2:16 PM ^

I don't think Cesar Ruiz is going to redshirt. It may take a couple games until the staff figures out the OL configuration. I see Ruiz getting ample snaps, at minimum when we are up big to get him some real experience. Similar to how we played Onwenu this year.



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MGoPoints: 25672

Mr. Yost

December 31st, 2016 at 2:23 PM ^

Thanks for letting me know.

No matter how much I'm intrugued by Peters, I'm not putting him over a full year starter without having something to go from. That's being a fickle fan - which is what you're doing.

Higdon is there with Evans as the #1. Which is clearly based off of what we've seen with our own eyes. Smith was the #1 and those two were the primary backups as Isaac fell off the face of the earth as far as games carries go.

Not rocket science, but I hope you feel better soon.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898225

The Oracle

December 31st, 2016 at 3:45 PM ^

It's true that no one has really seen Peters, but we've all seen Speight, and it wasn't pretty. They need Peters to be better than Speight. Whether that's actually possible is to be determined.

Joined: 12/31/2014

MGoPoints: 4730

Mr. Yost

December 31st, 2016 at 4:06 PM ^

Speight was on fire for 3/4 of the year. What are you talking about?

I'm not saying he's a world beater...but he out played Rudock 2015 for most of the year. He played like shit at Iowa. Got hurt and played hurt versus OSU. Then played like dog shit against FSU.

He's proven he can be a solid QB. If he improves, he'll be a very solid and maybe even better than that QB.

Now I'd love to see Peters, I think it's safe to say Speight isn't going to be a Jake Browning type - but how many of those 1st round talents are out there? And how do we know Peters is one of them?

If a healthy Speight is our floor...we're fine. We don't need Andrew Luck to win a national championship.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898225

ghostofhoke

December 31st, 2016 at 4:20 PM ^

I said something similar to my friends last night. I like Speight, he's a good kid, he has some tools and he seemed to be growing as a leader until the injury. I think it rattled him. I love his pocket awareness, he has a knack for eluding pressure but he didn't seem to improve in the second half of the season on the same trajectory that he was improving in the first half. I think there is a ceiling for him and he got close to it. It will be ideal and best for the program if someone decisively takes the job from him this spring. My guess would be that it needs to be Peters. I guess it's possible that Speight prepares like he is going to be the starter and makes big improvements in the off season but those are going to have to be pretty monumental for us to have a true leader back there in him who has the tools to win big games for us. He's looked great at times but too inconsistent. I can't criticize his guts, the kid is tough and with all this being said, I'd love to see him take command of the role.



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MGoPoints: 8562

corundum

December 31st, 2016 at 3:09 PM ^

You are forgetting how great Speight's trajectory was before his injury. Yes, he was bad most of the Iowa game, but other than that he was absolutely killing it in October. Someone will definitely be playing the big back role to complement Evans. Just from the eye test it's clear that Evans will be a 15 carry per game back until he adds some weight, I could see him becoming our version of Curtis Samuel. Higdon is qualified as anyone to get the majority of the big back carries. I also wouldn't mind seeing Hill get more work outside of the goal line.

Joined: 05/10/2012

MGoPoints: 47323

alum96

December 31st, 2016 at 2:27 PM ^

I was going to ask "insiders" (the 3 real ones on the board) to comment on the following players - i.e. if we can get anything out of them, in it's own thread but those type of threads usually turn into a lot of projection by people who don't see anything inside the program.  So I'll just throw it here..  I am of the mind that if you are not doing something big by year 3 (i.e. having an affect on games) you probably won't do much but I guess Mike McCray dissuaded that.

2014 class

  • Lawrence Marshall has obviously been passed by a lot of people, including young people.  Can he at least be a depth guy?  Or is this handshake time? Disappointing for the 176th ranked player and our supposed consolation prize vs McDowell.
  • I'm assuming Ways is headed to other pastures soon.
  • Can Noah Furbush stay healthy for more than 17 consecutive minutes and play a significant role as he gets to tail end of career?
  • Brandon Watson - starter or backup next year?
  • Drake Harris - will he ever be anything more than a backup?  Seeing guys like McDoom or Crawford get more touches than him lately he could be asked the same questions as Ways.

2015 class

  • I expect Grant Newsome not to play next year (no inside info, just from how serious that injury was) - I hope he can return as a functional football player in 2018.
  • Shelton Johnson, Reuben Jones and Josh Uche - are these guys who can break a 2 deep?  Any buzz at all on any of these guys?
  • Jon Runyan Jr, Nolan Ulizio - this will be year 3 in the program coming up.  Sounds like umbig likes what he hears about Runyan.  Can 1 lock down an OL spot at an age guys should be locking down spots so we are relying on 1 less freshman.
  • Keith Washington - he likes to race Jim Harbaugh.  Is there any hope there or are we skipping right ahead to Long and Hill.

Thanks "insiders".

 

 

Joined: 04/28/2012

MGoPoints: 82669

corundum

December 31st, 2016 at 3:15 PM ^

Not an insider but I'm pretty sure Marshall took a RS due to how many viable options we had this year and will be a solid contributer next year in the same way Winovich was this year. Washington came in undersized and played QB in high school. He was always going to be a project player so I wouldn't write him off just yet.

Joined: 05/10/2012

MGoPoints: 47323

M-Dog

December 31st, 2016 at 2:34 PM ^

The starters on D don't look too bad.  The lack of depth is a killer though.

Offense gives me the heebee jeebees.  We nned to hope some freshman playmakers show up.

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 257573

LGenius

December 31st, 2016 at 2:36 PM ^

Offense

QB: Peters

RB: 1a. Evans 1b. Higdon

FB: Panda/Poggi

WR1: Kekoa/DPJ

WR2: Harris/Black

Slot: D0000M/Johnson

LT: JBB

LG: Bredeson

C: Cole

RG: Grapes of Wrath 

LT: Ulizio

Defense

WDE: Winovich

DT: GetInMyBelly

Nose: Money Mone

SDE: Gary

WILL: McCray

MIKE: Bush

SLB/Nickel: Metal/Furbush 

FCB1: Young HIll/Washington

BCB2: Long/Watson

SS: Hudson

FS: Kinnel

 

 

 

Joined: 02/28/2010

MGoPoints: 1028

freelion

December 31st, 2016 at 2:41 PM ^

Speight is a Minnesota or Illinois level QB not a Michigan calibre QB. He would be a good backup though in case of injury.

Joined: 10/03/2013

MGoPoints: 9049

SeattleWolverine

December 31st, 2016 at 3:08 PM ^

It won't be long now. Will gladly eat my crow if I'm wrong.

 

Every situation is different. Offensive tackles have more draft position upside to improving their stock by returning than an NFL Safety type does. Peppers isn't going to get large enough to be a true NFL LB or play a more desirable position which are the two biggest issues with his draft stock.

Joined: 11/07/2012

MGoPoints: 4047

904GoBlue

December 31st, 2016 at 3:16 PM ^

I agree with you that he is gone but he did not play much in coverage this year and I have seen mock drafts that have him outside the top 15 based on that. His stock could improve into a sure top 5 pick if he plays safety next year and I do not think his stock could drop much because he is so talented athletically. But he will be a first rounder this year and I think he leaves.

Joined: 09/08/2016

MGoPoints: 117

SeattleWolverine

December 31st, 2016 at 3:39 PM ^

Yeah, he's got a little bit of a position conundrum. He's not a true cover guy but he's not big enough to be a classic LB type. He's kinda like all of those college hoops guys that play the 4 but have NBA small forward size. But not really because he's also insanely athletic.

 

Ten years ago it would have really hurt his draft status. The good thing is the NFL has adapted to find more roles for guys like him that are super athletic and versatile. He just needs the right defense. But he probably will have to cover a bit more in the NFL than he did this year and show he can do that well. Still a 1st round guy but finding a place with a role that fits his skills will be very important for him having a successful career. 

Joined: 11/07/2012

MGoPoints: 4047

Wolvie3758

December 31st, 2016 at 2:46 PM ^

Are we going to start winning these heartbreak hotel games..MSU last year, Iowa, OSU and FSU all games we COULD have won all games we led until our predictable late game collapses...Its really hard being optomistic about next year...Harbaugh is a great coach but maybe weve overhyped him...Here we are again saying"Next Year"...I feel like we are going to be in prepetual 10-2, 9-3 seasons always the bridesmaid and never the bride..Last night was extremely discouraging..coming all the way back and giving up another huge play on the next play...and the worst part was you KNEW it was coming

Joined: 12/12/2010

MGoPoints: 6338

reddogrjw

December 31st, 2016 at 3:32 PM ^

where every loss will be like that

I don't forsee any more 42-13 losses like OSU last season

6 losses total under Harbaugh

the 4 you mentioned abovethe bad

OSU loss last yearan

and Utah, game 1, on the road, at night, new QB, lose by 7 and had a pick 6

we won the Wisconsin game this year - no other win was close

last year IU and MInny were close wins (maybe others) but the point is I believe we are entering an era of more big wins, very few close wins, and losses will be close

Joined: 07/06/2016

MGoPoints: 9845

Jkidd49

December 31st, 2016 at 2:48 PM ^

What is the consensus on him...I thought he was a pretty big disappointment and wonder if he is best suited at center or elsewhere. I feel like there are people now qualified on the inner workings of line play than me though who would weigh in here. Does getting the 5 best linemen on the field next year mean Cole has to stay at C?

Joined: 01/30/2012

MGoPoints: 5166

jalenwestman

December 31st, 2016 at 3:26 PM ^

I thought he was average in his 1st year at center. Pretty sure they keep there unless Ruiz is crazy can't sit him good. Cole should be good to excellent next year if stays at center. The spring game will tell us if he is needed at tackle.

Joined: 08/04/2016

MGoPoints: 2480

Mich1993

December 31st, 2016 at 8:59 PM ^

Ruiz sure looks like he would be ready to play based on his film.  I can see him moving into a starting guard role during the year as a freshman and then over to center in year 2.  I think Harbaugh likes his best lineman at center ala Glasgow and Cole, and I think he'll put Cole at LT as a last resort only.  However, I can see Cole being the LT anyway unless one of the freshmen or Ulizio are ready.

Joined: 12/08/2010

MGoPoints: 3502

Mr. Yost

December 31st, 2016 at 4:08 PM ^

He'll be 260-265 going into next year. Who else you going to put over him? Better hope one of these guys we've never seen is up for the challenge. Kemp and Luiji should both be right there in the mix. It'll be a nice competition.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898225

bamf16

December 31st, 2016 at 11:34 PM ^

You think Winovich will put on another 15-20 pounds?

 

I agree; I hope someone steps up and beats out Winovich, OR he puts on the bulk you're predicting and makes a big leap.  Because I think he's a great DE against Hawaii or Rutgers, but not against tackles from Wisconsin & OSU.

Joined: 01/05/2014

MGoPoints: -100000

904GoBlue

December 31st, 2016 at 3:09 PM ^

I think 2017 all comes down to how well the OL plays. Sp8 or Peters will have a lot of young talented options at RB, WR, and TE. The defense will be just fine IMO. Alabama is able to plug in new young talented QBs, RBs, and WRs because the OL is always dominating. Starts up front.

Joined: 09/08/2016

MGoPoints: 117

Michifornia

December 31st, 2016 at 3:16 PM ^

This was both an incredibly exciting and bitterly disappointing season.  I can't remember the last time I felt so much anticipation before each game.  Yes we threw up on ourselves against Iowa.  I will always believe we got robbed against osu.  And facing fsu without Peppers and essentially Butt, and fighting to the end makes me nothing but proud of TEAM 137 at the end of the day.  Am very proud of how the seniors carried themselves all year long.  Nothing but respect.  

Yes, I cursed Speight and the O line many times.  They did the best they could.  We need to get back to having a steady stream of blue chip QBs, offensive lineman and RBs.  With Harbaugh and Co at the helm, we will get there.

Still feeling the pain from last night's loss but ready to move on.  Bring on the '17 class and let the hype for Team 138 begin.  We will come in under the radar next year but I expect the coaches will get a lot out of a solid talent pool.  Can't wait!!

GO BLUE!!

Joined: 10/03/2013

MGoPoints: 13813

jalenwestman

December 31st, 2016 at 3:20 PM ^

I am actually excited about next year. I think we take a step back record wise, but next year will really be the 1st year of Harbaugh recruited guys. This next spring game will be 100% competition, so many spots up for grab.

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MGoPoints: 2480