The following depth chart has removed these listed players from the roster:
- QB Jayden Denegal (transfer portal)
- QB Alex Orji (transfer portal)
- QB Jack Tuttle (retirement/graduation)
- RB Cole Cabana (transfer portal)
- RB Tavierre Dunlap (transfer portal)
- RB Donovan Edwards (graduation)
- RB Kalel Mullings (graduation)
- WR C.J. Charleston (graduation)
- WR Tyler Morris (transfer portal)
- TE Colston Loveland (NFL draft)
- OT Tristan Bounds (transfer portal)
- OT Andrew Gentry (transfer portal)
- OT Myles Hinton (graduation)
- OT Jeffrey Persi (graduation)
- OG Dominick Giudice (transfer portal)
- OG Josh Priebe (graduation)
- C Raheem Anderson II (transfer portal)
- DE Breeon Ishmail (transfer portal)
- DE Josaiah Stewart (graduation)
- DT Mason Graham (NFL draft)
- DT Kenneth Grant (NFL draft)
- LB Micah Pollard (transfer portal)
- CB Aamir Hall (graduation)
- CB Will Johnson (NFL draft)
- CB Myles Pollard (transfer portal)
- S Quinten Johnson (graduation)
- S Rod Moore (graduation)
- S Makari Paige (graduation)
- S Wesley Walker (graduation)
- K Adam Samaha (transfer portal)
- P Tommy Doman (transfer portal)
It assumes that every currently rostered player and every currently committed prospect will be here in the fall of 2025, which is obviously not true.
Hit the jump for the depth chart.
QB: Mikey Keene a (RS Sr.), Bryce Underwood (Fr.), Davis Warren (RS Sr.), Jadyn Davis (RS Fr.), Chase Herbstreit (Fr.)
RB: Justice Haynes (Jr.), Jordan Marshall (So.), Benjamin Hall (RS So.), Micah Ka'apana (RS Fr.), Donovan Johnson (Fr.), Jasper Parker (Fr.)
WR1: Donaven McCulley (RS Sr.), Amorion Walker (Sr.), Andrew Marsh (Fr.)
WR2: Semaj Morgan (Jr.), Kendrick Bell (RS So.), Channing Goodwin (RS Fr.), Jacob Washington (Fr.)
WR3: Peyton O'Leary (RS Sr.), Fredrick Moore (Jr.), I'Marion Stewart (RS Fr.), Jamar Browder (Fr.)
TE: Marlin Klein (RS Jr.), Max Bredeson (RS Sr.), Hogan Hansen (So.), Deakon Tonielli (RS So.), Zack Marshall (RS So.), Brady Prieskorn (RS Fr.), Andrew Olesh (Fr.), Eli Owens (Fr.)
LT: Andrew Sprague (RS Fr.), Blake Frazier (RS Fr.)
LG: Connor Jones (RS Jr.), Nathan Efobi (RS So.), Luke Hamilton (RS Fr.), Avery Gach (Fr.)
C: Greg Crippen (RS Sr.), Jake Guarnera (RS Fr), Kaden Strayhorn (Fr.)
RG: Giovanni El-Hadi (RS Sr.), Ben Roebuck (RS Fr.), Brooks Bahr (RS So.), Brady Norton (RS So.)
RT: Evan Link (RS So.), Andrew Babalola (Fr.)
EDGE: Derrick Moore (Sr.), Cameron Brandt (Jr.), Kechaun Bennett (RS Sr.), Dominic Nichols (RS Fr.), Aymeric Koumba (RS So.), Nate Marshall (Fr.)
DT: Rayshaun Benny (RS Sr.), Enow Etta (RS So.), Alessandro Lorenzetti (RS Jr.), Manuel Beigel (RS Fr.), Ted Hammond (RS Fr.), Owen Wafle (RS Fr.), Bobby Kanka (Fr.), Benny Patterson (Fr.), Travis Moten (Fr.)
NT: Damon Payne (6th), Roderick Pierce (Jr.), Ike Iwunnah (RS Sr.)
Rush LB: Jaishawn Barham (Sr.), T.J. Guy (RS Sr.), Tyler McLaurin (RS Sr.), Devon Baxter (RS Fr.), Lugard Edokpayi (RS Fr.), Julius Holly (Fr.)
MIKE: Jimmy Rolder (RS Jr.), Cole Sullivan (So.), Jason Hewlett (RS So.), Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng (Fr.)
WILL: Ernest Hausmann (Sr.), Jaydon Hood (RS Sr.), Troy Bowles (RS So.), Zach Ludwig (RS Fr.), Chase Taylor (Fr.)
CB: Jyaire Hill (RS So.), Jo'Ziah Edmond (So.), CB Tevis Metcalf (So.), Jayden Sanders (Fr.)
CB: Shamari Earls (Fr.), CB Ricky Johnson (RS Sr.), Kody Jones (RS Jr.), Jeremiah Lowe (RS Fr.)
Ni: Zeke Berry (Sr.), Ja'Den McBurrows (RS Sr.), Jordan Young (Fr.)
FS: Jaden Mangham (Sr.), T.J. Metcalf (Jr.), Mason Curtis (So.), Elijah Dotson (Fr.)
SS: Brandyn Hillman (RS So.), Jacob Oden (So.), Kainoa Winston (Fr.)
K: Dominic Zvada (Sr.)
P: Hudson Hollenbeck (RS So.)
Two thoughts on the OL:
ReplyDelete(1) The guys at the tackle position are going to be young; and
(2) We are thin at the tackle position.
So a question -- because I like to ask questions -- let's assume injuries (or really poor play) at the tackle position force some interior guys to move out and play tackle. In order of YOUR preference, who do you consider "tackle-capable" interior guys you'd have play that role?
I think the general consensus is that the defense is going to be a stronger/better unit than the offense. Maybe I'm wrong about that, but that's my sense.
ReplyDeleteQ1: Would you agree with that statement, that the defense will be the stronger unit?
Q2: If the defense is assigned a capability rating of '10' (round number), how would you rate the offense relative to the defense? Would it be a 3 or 4 (significantly less capable), or more like 7 or 8 (less capable, but approaching balance)?
One final question: if you could take any player from a past Michigan team, and have him available to play on this team in his prime, why would you pick Brandon Graham? :-)
Thinking about that last question, let's take it seriously: we could magically take any player -- but only ONE player -- from a past Michigan team, and have him available to play in his prime college condition. Who would it be?
DeleteThis gets to the question of where the need is most pressing, and where ONE great player would make the most difference for NEXT YEAR, for the team we look to have.
One answer is "Charles Woodson," but is he the ONE player that would make the most difference? How about "Jake Long" to shore up the tackle position? Or perhaps a proven receiver, like Amani Toomer or Mario Manningham? Or a running back like Mike Hart in his prime?
QB is the most impactful position so obviously the only answer here is Denard Robinson.
DeleteI would be willing to bet that Bryce Underwood right now is a better quarterback than Denard Robinson ever was. I liked Denard -- he was fun at times -- but he was never the type of QB that could lead a team to victories against talented and well-disciplined defenses, especially in today's world where running QBs are more the norm. Mississippi State showed how Denard could be contained.
DeleteIf truly given the chance to snap your fingers and have 2010 Denard as the QB for 2025 Michigan, I doubt anyone would seriously take that opportunity.
I would pencil in a 2000 season Drew Henson into the starting lineup and watch things go. For non-QB positions, it either has to be Jake Long or Woodson, right?
DeleteWoodson was a generational talent at DB, but the question is: all things considered, and with only one pick, does the projected 2025 DB corp look "good enough" to hold its own, so that the one precious pick is better spent somewhere else? Maybe the argument is made that Woodson was so good that the whole of the defense would be lifted. Maybe that argument leads to a discussion of someone like Devin Bush, Dax Hill, or Jabrill Peppers, who might serve as the "defensive play-caller" to form a more cohesive defense.
DeleteMore than anything, what I'm trying to do is stir a thoughtful discussion of relative needs for 2025, and how one player could change things significantly.
I was joking about Denard -- it would be JJ or Tom Brady to me. Brady was better than Henson.
DeleteI'll disagree on the Underwood over Robinson point though -- Denard was a heisman contender without a lot of help. Special player who beat a lot of good teams in 2011. Underwood will hopefully be better eventually but as a freshman I really doubt it. Denard was a good example of how much people grow between their freshman and senior years at QB.
I believe Michigan is in the playoff in 2024 if Denard is at QB instead of the poo poo platter we had. Maybe undefeated. Great player! Great college QB! Carried a huge load with very little help. Put guys like Loveland, Mullings, Edwards, Bredeson around him and he would have done work IMO.
I think Woodson is a good choice if you are excluding QBs. But I'd probably go with Hutch as most impactful on an every-down basis. One-man wrecking crew.
Yes, Hutch would be great but need is important. We already have very good ends. CBs are okay but putting Woodson out there means that unit is now super strong. So I think that's likely the greatest non-QB upgrade. But LT would also be in the running.
DeleteAnd I am not sure that Brady was better than 2000 Henson although admittedly Henson had more talent around him. Henson was certainly the better athlete and possibly a better fit in the modern college game. 2023 JJ would be in the mix also but I still think that Henson had one of the greatest QB seasons for Michigan.
@BlueNC
DeleteYou should google "Tom Brady NFL Career" -- you're gonna be shocked ;)
Henson can't hold a candle
Well, the comparison is QB to QB when they were at their best in college. Bringing in NFL career is outside the scope of this discussion.
DeleteLank, I guess I gave you too much credit for understanding the question so I will just take the rest of your responses as misguided but next time, try to follow along, okay?
Delete@BlueNC
DeleteWhat they did in the NFL tells who they are. Henson was surrounded by NFL talent at Michigan - like Cade McNamara in 2021. He did nothing of note in the NFL.
Brady was better -- he was better at Michigan and he was better in the NFL. So Brady over Henson is a no-brainer in my book (and also just common sense for anyone who didn't die in 2001.
We have the benefit of hindsight, so we can go ahead and use it.
Still need OLs, WRs and maybe a TE. On the Defense, I want another DT, but we need a Corner
ReplyDeleteWho's our Punter?
Hollenbeck looked mostly excellent yesterday— pinned one at the 4, a 59-yarder that was barely a touchback, slightly shanked one, and boomed one to the 6 that outkicked the coverage, allowing Ryan Williams to return it 38 yards.
Deletealso pretty solid as a Holder ... maybe Punters don't matter
DeleteBarham - Sam Webb says he is coming back to play EDGE
ReplyDeleteLink/Sprague - rumors are currently that Link is at LT and Sprague at RT for the bowl game.
Bredeson - when asked about returning he was non-committal. I'd really love to have him back.
TJ Metcalf - gotta be a starter right? I doubt he would leave a starting gig in the SEC to come be a backup. NIL money isn't THAT good!
Bowles - the 5th LB is a bench warmer. I very much doubt Bowles came to Michigan to have the same place on the depth chart he had at Georgia. Guessing he's LB #3 at least.
Rod Moore - no announcement but reports/rumors via Earls say he'll be back.
What is the logic in assuming Moore is gone but other guys who can choose to be 5th year players but haven't announced anything yet (like Warren, Bredeson, Benny, Bennett, etc) are assumed back?
A few other players listed as graduating still have eligibility who have not entered the portal (AFAIK). Persi and Charleston are other relevant exclusions, in addition to Moore:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/the-20-michigan-football-seniors-who-can-return-for-2025-season/
Orji is an interesting case too. He's in the portal but active for the bowl game. Given the continued reports of his high character and strong locker room presence, I wonder if there's some window crack left open for him to return. Maybe if Warren isn't content being 3rd string in his final year of eligibility?
It could be that Orji is not finding opportunities to transfer to the place where he can be the starting QB *and* have it be worth his while. I'm am nearly certain he would be picked up in a heartbeat by any number of MAC-type schools, where someone of his athletic ability could dominate defenses. He might view staying at Michigan as the better alternative. If he transferred to, say, North Texas State or wherever, he could fade into relative obscurity.
Delete@Anon.
DeleteI'm still not sure how amazing of an athlete he is but I agree with your larger point -- Since he has 2 years left I wonder if he wouldn't wait to "settle" for a lower profile situation until after 2025 season plays out.
No Bowl thread, because obviously ... but my halftime observations:
ReplyDeleteD came to play! DL moving LoS ... DTs don't matter?
Meanwhile, Bama loses their RB1 and had negative rush yards halfway through the 2Q and their leading rusher at the Half is a backup WR
Another pass attempt for Bell ... he now leads Orji since midseason #gimmick
Not having quality QB/WRs really sucks
1Q: four drives in Bama territory, but only one TD. Can't get the run game going. Kalel matters
Marshall has better vision & balance than Edwards. Better speed than Mullings. Probably not enough to replace both though. Hall is neither fast enough or powerful enough. I can see why we paid for Haynes
It's a better half than I thought or hoped for, so there's that
WHAT A WIN!!!
DeleteI would love to let these young guys go out there and have at it, but ... how? Our QB1 was late on throws, doesn't have a strong arm and just isn't very good; his backup is noticeably worse. We have no playmakers at WR. OL couldn't get movement for our RBs (I like Marshall, but not Hall)
Sprague had a matador-like attempt on a blown run ... other than that, nothing jumped out. Maybe we have a Tackle? Need another look for Link
Warren gets injured on a play he didn't have to scoot on, and because he doesn't throw the ball away. That's not on the OL
3rd & 13, run. 3rd & 19, PASS(!); three actually, but two behind the LoS & the next an ugly INT. No trust in the backup QB (still) ... 2o23 usage was quite predictive
Jordan Marshall has now broken more tackles than The Don
Wink had this Defense playing championship level football!
we absolutely own:
Ryan Day
&
Jalen Milroe
*no Jadyn Davis, despite the absolute void at QB ... I know it's not happening, but we need another QB from the Portal. Keene should NOT have the starting role handed to him. If it's even a competition, we're in trouble
Happy New Year and GO BLUE!
No Jadyn Davis ... the chatter elsewhere seems to be that putting him in against Alabama would be too much of an initial test, and thus keeping Orji in was the proper thing. Really? You couldn't put Jadyn in for a run play just to get his feet wet in real game action? There's something else going on there.
DeleteDavis isn't ready, clearly. He did get his feet wet vs Northwestern. I'm not sure him throwing against Bama would have benefitted anyone.
DeleteIt really is surprising that he is SO far from being playable at the end of his freshman season, especially given his high recruiting ranking and impressive offer list, and how much success he had at a big time high school program.