Every year since 2009, I have counted down from the least important player on that year’s roster to the most important player, including starters, scholarship players, preferred walk-ons, special teams players, student body walk-ons, and everyone in between.
In case you want a look back at last year’s list, here it is (LINK). The top two players, Will Johnson and Colston Loveland, both got hurt, and it's probably not a coincidence that the team struggled mightily at times, even though there were also other deficiencies.
YEARLY DISCLAIMER: The countdown is by the player’s importance to the team, not his overall talent. A talented player at a deep position won’t necessarily be missed a lot if he gets injured, but an injury to a moderately talented player at a thin position could be devastating. For example, I had cornerback Ambry Thomas ranked at #2 in 2020 because he was the team's only proven cornerback. Naturally, he opted out of the season and the team as a whole was an unmitigated disaster. Meanwhile, first round pick Kwity Paye was #6 because more talent was returning on the defensive line.
I had to wait an extra week this year to watch the spring game on TV, and I was also waiting to see if the house settlement would reduce rosters to 105, but it doesn't look like we'll get any clarification on that anytime soon.
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yes sir, yessir
ReplyDeleteWhen does the 105 roster limit hit? Are you assuming the guys ranked 106 and above will be off the team or maybe borderline if there are additional departures in the top 100 or so.
ReplyDeleteWell, media members were saying it was supposed to happen in April, but then the court proceedings didn't work out as expected, so it's still in litigation. Michigan is supposedly proceeding as if the roster limits will not be in place for the 2025 season. At this point I think it would be pretty cruel of the NCAA to institute roster limits for 2025-2026, because we're literally talking about where kids are going to go for school in August/September, or in 3-4 months.
DeleteI'm guessing roster limits won't be put in place now until 2026.
Yeah that makes sense. Phasing it could make sense.
DeleteI think the most impactful thing maybe if Michigan is going to have 20 extra scholarships or not. Some of the preferred walk-ons are probably anticipating that. If they don't get their scholarships -- that's a big hit to individuals. Maybe the university can make it up via NIL somehow.
Just depends what was promised to them.
Whereas a student body walk on is probably going to Michigan regardless of their potential to make the football team since they are all kind of crossing their fingers after the preferred walk-ons who are promised a spot. At least the freshman. But maybe some of the juniors or seniors who have been on the team a couple years and would lose their spot could look to transfer.
Perhaps 2025 will raise scholarships but wait on roster limits. Guess we'll see.