2015 Season Countdown: #30 Shane Morris

Shane Morris

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Name: Shane Morris
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 209 lbs.
High school: Warren (MI) De La Salle
Position: Quarterback
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #7
Last year: I ranked Morris #25 and said he would be the backup quarterback. He started one game and completed 14/40 passes (35%) for 128 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. He also ran 9 times for 28 yards (3.1 yards/carry).

Morris had a very controversial season in 2014 that had to have been difficult for reasons out of his control. He started off the year as Devin Gardner's backup. When Gardner and the team were underperforming halfway through the year, head coach Brady Hoke turned to Morris to start against Minnesota. A lot of people - including me - were opposed to the idea of benching Gardner, but it wasn't Morris's decision. He rolled his ankle, got concussed, and was left in the game despite stumbling around while trying to get back to the huddle. The handling of that issue would lead to tons of criticism of Brady Hoke, and eventually, the handling of the matter became the last straw for athletic director David Brandon's tenure.

Hit the jump for more on Morris and the quarterback situation.

MLive: Linebacker position preview

Nick Baumgardner previews Michigan's linebacker situation (LINK).

Hit the jump for a few nice looking ladies.

2015 Season Countdown: #31 Taco Charlton

Taco Charlton

Name: Taco Charlton
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 273 lbs.
High school: Pickerington (OH) Central
Position: Defensive end
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #33
Last year: I ranked Charlton #38 and said he would be a backup strongside end. He made 19 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.

For a backup defensive end, it's hard to argue much with Charlton's production last season. He started one game against Rutgers, but he was mostly a backup to Brennen Beyer throughout the season. He got to the quarterback against Maryland, Rutgers, Minnesota, and Appalachian State, and he had three tackles against the Buckeyes. It was a decent year, but it was also somewhat forgettable. Charlton did not leap out as a player who was forcing his way into the starting discussion, and Beyer was not a standout whose play demanded a starting position, either. Charlton was largely inconsistent, making a good play here followed by getting out of position there.

This season Charlton might find himself playing a backup role again. Redshirt junior Chris Wormley had a good spring by all accounts, and Charlton missed a chunk of time to injury, including the spring game. Wormley has been mostly a defensive tackle during his career so far, but the coaching staff thinks his speed can hold up on the edge. If that's not the case, then Charlton is capable of stepping in to play the position. The worry with Charlton is his inconsistency. He's tall and has put on some good weight, but sometimes he stands up too high, sometimes he gets out of his gap, and sometimes he gets too deep. Those are the reasons that he was behind Beyer last season, and those might be what keep him behind Wormley this season. Michigan does not have many options beyond Charlton, which increases his value here. Henry Poggi made a move to offense in the spring, Tom Strobel has barely played during his career, and guys like Reuben Jones and Shelton Johnson are small and freshmen. Charlton will get plenty of playing time, but his consistency needs to improve if he wants to force his way into the starting lineup.

Prediction: Backup strongside end

MLive: Defensive line position preview

Nick Baumgardner previews the defensive line (LINK).

Hit the jump for some pictures of model Anna Faith Carlson.

247 Sports Top 100 for 2018 released

Oak Park (MI) Oak Park OG Marquan McCall is the top player in Michigan for 2018
(image via 247Sports.com)

247 Sports released their top 100 prospects for the 2018 class (LINK). This is very early, since these kids are about to start their sophomore season in high school. Michigan has offered a few 2018 kids, but I'll also list some other noteworthy players, including players from the Big Ten imprint:

5-stars:
1. Trevor Lawrence - QB - GA
3. Micah Parsons - DE - PA

4-stars:
6. Jalen Hall - WR - CA (teammate of 2017 targets Taariq Johnson, Greg Johnson, Joseph Lewis)
11. Christian Tutt - CB - GA (offered)
18. Taron Vincent - DT - MD (offered)
19. Jaelen Gill - RB - OH
21. Leonard Taylor - TE - OH
22. Jalen Preston - S - TX (offered)
23. Joey Gatewood - QB - FL
24. Ricky Slade - RB - VA
31. Austin Fontaine - DT - MD (teammate of 2016 target Terrance Davis)
33. P.J. Mustipher - DT - MD (brother of Ohio State OG Sam Mustipher)
38. Patrick Surtain, Jr. - CB - FL (son of former NFL CB Patrick Surtain)
39. Al Blades, Jr. - S - FL (son of Al Blades, nephew of Benny and Brian Blades)
44. Allan Walters - QB - NJ (offered)
46. Cameron Jurgens - TE - NE
49. Wyatt Blake - OT - IL
55. Asante Samuel, Jr. - CB - FL (offered, son of former NFL CB Asante Samuel)
57. Marquan McCall - OG - MI (offered)
60. Houston Griffith - ATH - IL (son of former NFL FB, BTN analyst Howard Griffith)
70. Antwuan Johnson - LB - OH
75. Jayson Ademilola - ATH - NJ (offered along with twin Justin; teammate of Allan Walters)
79. Amon-Ra St. Brown - WR - CA (brother of Equanimeous and Osiris St. Brown)
87. Emil Ekiyor - OG - IN (offered)
92. L'Christian Smith - ATH - OH
95. Daniel George - WR - MD

2015 Season Countdown: #32 Mike McCray II

Mike McCray (image via MWolverine)

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Name: Mike McCray II
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 242 lbs.
High school: Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #9
Last year: I ranked McCray #64 and said he would be a backup middle linebacker. He made 2 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 blocked punt.

McCray was not expected to contribute much last season with all of the competition for playing time at linebacker. First and foremost, he was behind star linebacker Jake Ryan. Second, the Wolverines had several more experienced 'backers, including Desmond Morgan, Joe Bolden, and Ben Gedeon. McCray was expected to play special teams, which he did well enough in the season opener. He made a leaping block of a punt against Appalachian State that was returned for a touchdown by Gedeon. Despite playing a fair amount on specials, though, the rest of his year was fairly quiet.

The depth chart has thinned a bit this year. Ryan matriculated to the NFL, second-year linebacker Michael Ferns transferred to West Virginia, and fellow second-year guy Chase Winovich moved to tight end in the spring. Those players don't necessarily impact McCray on the depth chart, but their departures from the position group elevate him in importance. McCray won't be a starter this year, but Morgan and Bolden will both graduate after the season, and it would be nice for McCray to get some significant playing time before he's counted on heavily in 2016. He had an upper body injury in the spring that caused him to miss a significant chunk of those practices, but he should be healthy for the beginning of camp.

Prediction: Backup linebacker, special teamer

MLive: Tight end position preview

Nick Baumgardner previews the tight ends (LINK).

Hit the jump for some good looking ladies.