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.
Defensive Line
Starting tackles: Bryan Mone, Maurice Hurst Jr.
Backups: Aubrey Solomon, Michael Dwumfour/James Hudson
The rest of the country is wondering how the Wolverines can replace defensive stars in the trenches such as Chris Wormley, Taco Charlton and Ryan Glasgow, but Michigan knows what it has returning. It could be a case of addition by subtraction, although that seems crazy to think about a team that ranked 15th against the run and No. 1 in overall defense in 2016.
Returning at the two tackle spots are Maurice Hurst Jr. and Bryan Mone. Both are seniors, but also big-bodied guys who can clog up running lanes and wreak havoc in the pass game. Hurst Jr. finished with 33 total tackles, 11.5 for loss and five sacks as a backup in 2016. Mone, on the other hand, played sparingly and recorded 10 tackles.
A trio of freshmen — Aubrey Solomon, Michael Dwumfour and James Hudson — provide impressive depth. Although they’re young, they’re as talented as any backup tackles in the nation.
Starting ends: Rashan Gary, Chase Winovich
Backups: Carlo Kemp, Donovan Jeter
In regards to the defensive end positions, sophomore Rashan Gary may be the Big Ten’s best by the time the season is over and junior Chase Winovich is an under-the-radar guy who doesn’t really get the respect he deserves. Gary had 23 tackles and 0.5 sacks in 2016, but expect that number to grow exponentially. Winovich had 32 total tackles, 8.5 for loss and five sacks.
Those two guys would be tough to replace if an injury were to happen, but two more freshmen anchor the two-deep on the line. Carlo Kemp and Donovan Jeter look to be solid contributors up front. Sure, this unit is young, but imagine how dominant it will be in 1-2 years.
Linebackers
Starting middle linebacker: Devin Bush Jr.
Backup: Mike Wroblewski
Unfortunately, Michigan’s defense is forced to replace 10 starters from an elite 2016 unit which ranked No. 1 in the country, but that doesn’t mean the Wolverines are void of talent. There’s concern in the linebacking corps with two new starters out of three, including middle linebacker, but Devin Bush Jr. could be a breakout candidate.
The sophomore had a quiet freshman season with 11 total tackles, but showed promise during spring ball and is leading the way to start over Mike Wroblewski this fall. The latter had a minimal role last season, finishing with just five total tackles.
Related Story: Michigan Football: 5 breakout candidates for 2017
Starting outside linebackers: Mike McCray, Khaleke Hudson
Backups: Joshua Uche, Jordan Glasgow
The lone returning starter to the linebacking corps is senior Mike McCray, and he could be an All-Big Ten performer by season’s end. He was second on the team in total tackles in 2016, only to Ben Gedeon, and really had himself quite the breakout year. He finished with 73 total takedowns, 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, six pass deflections, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and a touchdown. Not too shabby.
Sophomore Khaleke Hudson is expected to start at the other outside linebacker spot after finishing with just eight tackles and one for loss in 2016. His role will be growing in a big way. Fellow sophomore Joshua Uche will get some time in the rotation and junior Jordan Glasgow could be a Jabrill Peppers safety/linebacker hybrid.
Defensive Backs
Starting cornerbacks: Lavert Hill, David Long
Backups: Ambry Thomas, Keith Washington
Can you truly replace Jourdan Lewis and Channing Stribling and feel good about the immediate future of the secondary? In this case, yes. Although those were two players who helped engineer the top secondary in the country, sophomores Lavert Hill and David Long may have even higher ceilings. In fact, the coaching staff has been raving about both.
Although both had their redshirt burned in 2016, they have the talent to be NFL early entrants no matter if they’re redshirt sophomores or true juniors. Backing them up are talented Detroit-native freshman Ambry Thomas, a potential breakout star, and junior Keith Washington.
Starting safeties: Josh Metellus, Tyree Kinnel
Backups: Jordan Glasgow, Jaylen Kelly-Powell
There are also two new starters at the safety spots with sophomore Josh Metellus and junior Tyree Kinnel. The former played in nine games as a true freshman in 2016, recording 15 tackles and one sack while Kinnel had 14 takedowns and one for loss. Kinnel was a member of Harbaugh’s first recruiting class and he’s finally getting his chance to start. The talent is there for both of these young guys.
As mentioned earlier, Glasgow is expected to be in the two-deep at outside linebacker as well as safety. He stands 6-foot-1 and weighs in at 210 pounds, making him the ideal size to fit both spots. Talented incoming freshman Jaylen Kelly-Powell is pushing for snaps, and to avoid the redshirt, at free safety.
Wide Receivers
Starting receivers: Donovan Peoples-Jones, Eddie McDoom
Backups: Kekoa Crawford, Nate Johnson
Shifting gears to the offensive side of the ball, it seems as if the Wolverines have too much to replace at receiver, right? With Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson gone, Michigan is forced to replace its first and third-leading receivers from last season. However, the young recruits Harbaugh has been adding are all potential breakout stars.
Incoming freshman, and early enrollee, Donovan Peoples-Jones was considered the top prep receiver in the 2017 class and he will be a No. 1 target right away. He has the potential to be an instant star and there’s no denying his talent. He will be joined by sophomore Eddie McDoom, a speedster who caught five passes for 59 yards in 2016, but can also return punts. He’s an end-around threat as well, rushing for 160 yards on 16 carries last season.
Sophomores Nate Johnson and Kekoa Crawford were both highly-touted recruits out of high school and will get used plenty in this system. Although not listed, junior Grant Perry has been reinstated after an offseason sexual assault incident in which he reached a plea deal. He had 13 catches for 183 yards and a score in 2016.
Related Story: Michigan Football: 2017 season preview, predictions
Starting tight end: Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Backup: Ian Bunting
Michigan has utilized the tight end better than most college football programs over the past two seasons, turning Jake Butt into a star. However, he’s gone now, giving way to sophomore Tyrone Wheatley Jr. He had three catches for 35 yards and a touchdown as a freshman, but the former four-star is on preseason award watch lists. Junior Ian Bunting had five catches for 46 yards last season and figures to be the backup.
Running Back
Starting running back: Chris Evans
Backup: Karan Higdon
Honestly, it’s been a while since Michigan truly had a dominant running back. The Wolverines have had decent backs over the years such as De’Veon Smith and Derrick Green, who transferred, but none have had as much promise as Chris Evans.
As a freshman in 2016, Evans had a breakout campaign, or close to it, rushing for 614 yards and four touchdowns. The crazy aspect of it all was that he wasn’t even considered the best back in the Wolverines 2016 recruiting class. It was four-star Kareem Walker who took the headlines from the borderline four-star.
Turns out, Evans was the more college-ready back. Walker is still working to be in that running back rotation while Evans is entering his sophomore season as the unquestioned lead back. His breakaway speed and burst through the hole led to a 7.0 yards per carry average.
Backing him up, in my opinion, will be junior Karan Higdon who showed promise in 2016. The former Iowa pledge rushed for 425 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per touch. Some believe USC-transfer Ty Isaac will be the No. 2 back, but the senior’s window has seemingly closed to be a crucial figure in the offense.
Starting fullback: Khalid Hill
Backup: Henry Poggi
Harbaugh loves utilizing the fullback position as that smash-mouth Big Ten football is showcased each week in Ann Arbor. Khalid Hill benefited from being the team’s starting fullback last season, rushing for 10 touchdowns on 25 carries. Scoring 40 percent of the time he touched the ball? Solid. Senior Henry Poggi will also get some snaps at fullback.
Quarterback
Starting quarterback: Wilton Speight
Backup: Brandon Peters
Can you believe that there’s a quarterback battle in Ann Arbor just one season after Wilton Speight led the Wolverines to a 10-win season and Orange Bowl appearance? That seems to be the case as freshman sensation Brandon Peters, the No. 3 quarterback in the 2016 class, is pushing him for the starting job.
As a head coach, there’s a difference between being loyal and being stubborn. Although there’s a fine line, the former happens far too often and it can be perceived as the latter. Speight might be the returning starter as a senior, and a potential captain, but Harbaugh has to be fair and ask himself, “Which quarterback gives us the best chance to win?”
If the answer is Speight strictly because he’s more game-ready and Peters is still young and could make crucial mistakes, then by all means go with the senior. However, if he knows that Peters is the better option, going with Speight just because he’s a potential captain would be a disservice to the team.
Speight did show promise in his first season as the full-time starter, passing for 2,538 yards and 18 touchdowns with seven picks. He complete 62 percent of his throws.
Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017
It’s crazy to think that Harbaugh hasn’t use “his guy” at quarterback for his first two years at Michigan and he still has 20 wins. Imagine what the team will look like when his recruits take over.