Poll Results: Biggest position need in 2013?

Kenny Demens (#25) and Jordan Kovacs (#32) will both graduate after the 2012 season

A couple weeks ago I posed this question: Which position is Michigan's biggest need in 2013?

As you can probably tell, a lot of things have happened since that poll was posted.  But here are the results anyway.

WR: 35%
More than a third of the voters picked wide receiver, a position that has begun to be addressed with the recent commitment of Columbus (OH) Marion Franklin's Jaron Dukes, a 6'5", 197 lb. possession guy.  The coaches are likely looking for one or two more receivers to complement Dukes, preferably a speedster or two who can stretch the field.

RB: 23%
Last Saturday Michigan received a commitment from jumbo tailback Wyatt Shallman from Novi (MI) Catholic Central.  The 6'3", 255-pounder needs a smaller, faster tailback to pair with him.  Head coach Brady Hoke has stated that he'll always take "a couple" running backs because they're good athletes who can potentially switch positions.

OL: 13%
Again, this position was addressed with the recent commitments of four  offensive linemen.  The first commitment came from Wheaton (IL) St. Francis's Kyle Bosch.  He was followed by Detroit (MI) Cass Tech guard David Dawson, Parker (CO) Ponderosa tackle/guard Chris Fox, and Peoria (IL) Manual tackle Logan Tuley-Tillman.

DT: 9%
Michigan grabbed two defensive tackles in the 2012 class to replenish the ranks, but Will Campbell is a senior and Quinton Washington is a redshirt junior.  The coaches have only offered eight defensive tackles thus far, which tells me they're not panicking about any kind of lack of depth at the position.  They likely believe/realize that at least one of Michigan's defensive end commits from 2012 will move inside to tackle.

QB: 7%
Michigan has one commitment in 2013, from potential 5-star Shane Morris out of Warren (MI) De La Salle.  After taking one quarterback in the class of 2011 and zero in 2012, Michigan might be putting itself in a precarious position by only taking Morris in 2013.  The 2012 class ended a streak of 14 consecutive recruiting cycles where Michigan took at least  one quarterback.

TE: 2%
At the time the poll was posted, Detroit (MI) Crockett U-back Khalid Hill was committed.  This past weekend the Wolverines also got a verbal from Pickerington (OH) North Y-back Jake Butt.  Both tight end positions have been addressed, but I would not be entirely surprised if the coaches took a third tight end by the end of the class.  The coaches wanted a third tight end in 2012, so at this point, they have addressed 2012's missing tight end and the graduation of Brandon Moore.

DE: 0% (tie)
Michigan took four defensive ends in the class of 2012, and the only defensive end scheduled to graduate is Craig Roh.  The position was addressed on Saturday with the commitment of Pickerington (OH) Central's Taco Charlton, a 6'6", 240-pounder.

S: 0% (tie)
Three safeties committed to Michigan in 2012, and only one graduates after 2012 (Jordan Kovacs).  The Wolverines already have Alliance (OH) Marlington strong safety Dymonte Thomas in the fold for 2013, so that gives Michigan four safeties over two classes.

LB: 0% (zero votes)
Only one linebacker graduates after the 2012 season (middle linebacker Kenny Demens), and the Wolverines just took four linebackers in the most recent class.  The coaches are pursuing a significant number of linebackers in the 2013 class, which tells me a) they're not happy with their depth and b) they might be expecting some attrition.  Isaiah Bell has yet to see the field in college, Mike Jones has seen the field very little, and Brandin Hawthorne was passed up by a freshman last season; all three might be candidates not to return for a fifth year in 2013.