Michigan Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017
Michigan football’s expectations are high heading into the 2017 season, but replacing over a dozen starters won’t be easy.
Don’t look now, the Michigan football hype train is full steam ahead. Following a second straight 10-win season to begin his tenure in Ann Arbor, Jim Harbaugh looks to return the winning culture to the campus after it was lost under Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke.
Its not all hype in Ann Arbor, though. Sure, the media has jumped on the Michigan bandwagon like it had never left 10-plus years ago, but Harbaugh is bringing in top recruits left and right. In fact, some may argue that he’s recruiting at the same level as his Big Ten counterpart Urban Meyer.
However, those consecutive 10-win seasons have gotten the Wolverines nothing more than back-to-back finishes in the Big Ten East. Moreover, Harbaugh is just 1-3 vs. top rivals Michigan State and Ohio State. Fans are hoping he can turn things around in that regard to avoid the “Michigan can’t win big games” talk.
Well, the Wolverines will have to replace about 40 players from last year’s 10-win squad, but the potential of 2017’s young guys is through the roof. Let’s take a look at the projected two-deep depth chart for Michigan in 2017.
Offensive Line
Starting tackles: Mason Cole (LT), Jawann Bushell-Beatty (RT)
Backups: Ben Bredeson (LT), Nolan Ulizio (RT)
Some believed senior Mason Cole would take over the starting center position after moving there in 2016, but he had started 25 straight games at left tackle before that. Michigan has necessary replacements at the center spot, leaving the left tackle position open for Cole to reclaim. He will join forces with starting right tackle, and fellow senior, Jawann Bushell-Beatty as the team’s starting tackles.
Ben Bredeson will likely take over next year at left tackle and the same can be said for Nolan Ulizio at right tackle. Both are entering their sophomore seasons.
Starting guards: Ben Bredeson (LG), Michael Onwenu (RG)
Backups: Jon Runyan Jr. (LG), Patrick Kugler (RG)
The aforementioned Bredeson is just too good to keep off the field and he’s going to be a staple of the offensive line for another 2-3 years. In order for Michigan to have the most dynamic group, he will move to left guard in 2017, making room for Cole at tackle. He will be joined by fellow 2016 class signee Michael Onwenu, a talented Detroit-native. Junior Jon Runyan Jr. will back up Bredeson while Patrick Kugler looks to play the role of No. 2 right guard.
Starting center: Patrick Kugler
Backup: Cesar Ruiz
While Kugler is the backup right guard, he will be much like Bredeson at left guard and take over a different position in order to give the Wolverines the best look. In a pinch, though, he would be able to shift over a spot and give way to incoming freshman sensation Cesar Ruiz. The IMG Academy center was one of the best at the position in the country.