With spring practice finally concluded, it’s time to start looking at the team for 2008. First, the depth chart, then recruiting needs.

QB	Speed RB	Power RB	MX
Threet (fFr)	Brown (Jr)	Minor (Jr) OR Grady (rJr)	Moundros (rSo)
Sheridan (W – rSo)	Horn (rFr)		Helmuth (So)
Cone (rSo)

Here in the fall:
Justin Feagin (QB), Sam McGuffie & Michael Shaw (Speed back), Mike Cox (Power back). Feagin will almost definitely play a big role on this team, with McGuffie and Shaw getting PT as well. Look for a redshirt out of Cox.

With the new offense, things are going to get a bit confusing, because there will be some definite overlap between speed backs and slot receivers, and they currently occupy different position groups in these handy charts.

Anyway, Michigan loses nobody from this position group to graduation, though there may be some possibility for early entry (an RB that has a huge year – which isn’t all that likely) or other attrition (such as a Cone transfer). This means that the need is somewhat limited in recruiting. Michigan will need 2 quarterbacks, both dual-threat, and preferably have one of them enroll for the winter semester. They can always use more speedy guys, especially since they can double as slot receivers. It is unlikely that there will be a need for bigger running backs or fullbacks.

Class of ’09 Dual-Threat QBs
Name	Measurables	Rating	Hometown	School	Offer?	Timetable	Player Notes	Recruiting Notes
Kevin Newsome	6-3, 215, 4.40	****	Chesapeake, VA	Western Branch	Offer	Early Enroll	He has been described as Tebow-like, but I’d think he probably has more speed, as he is an indoor track all-american in 60m hurdles. More track.	Many consider VT the favorite for Newsome, especially with Tajh Boyd committing to WVU. If he wants to be a Mountaineer, he won’t play QB.
Eugene Smith	6-3, 180, 4.65	****	Miramar, FL	Miramar	Offer		His dad went to Miami of Florida. He is considered more of a pro-style QB.	Rodriguez has made it clear that Florida will be a big priority for new-UM recruiting. Not clear how badly he’ll want Smith, however.
Morgan Newton	6-5, 205, 4.50	****	Carmel, IN	Carmel			He is the apparent star of his high school basketball team, which also includes Michigan signee Stu Douglass. He is a fast pro-style(ish) guy who can run if pressured.	Many Michigan fans really like this guy. He could be a fallback or 2nd QB (less suited for the Rodriguez offense). Notre Dame is on him as well.
Aaron Murray	6-2, 200	****	Tampa, FL	H.H. Plant		Early enroll	White guy who is turning from a passing runner into a passer with good mobility.	Florida is widely considered the favorite, and Murray is a lot like their current starter (Tebow). Michigan expects to recruit Florida well under Rich Rod. Elite 11 participant.
Tate Forcier	6-1, 190, 4.63	****	San Diego, CA	Scripps Ranch	Offer	Post-unofficials (summer) decision, early enrollment	Former Wolverine Jason Forcier (loved the school, didn’t get along with Scot Loeffler, and is now at Stanford) is his brother, and is encouraging Tate to look at Michigan.	PSU and Oregon listed as favorites?
Shavodrick Beaver	6-4, 200, 4.5	****	Wichita Falls, TX	Rider Springs	Offer	Pre-season	His team may play no ESPN2 this fall. Speddy, shifty guy who has good mechanics.	He was ready to commit (to TCU) until he got a Michigan offer. When an offer from a particular school changes your whole paradigm, there’s a good chance they’re among your favorites.
Donavan Tate	6-3, 195	****	Cartersville, GA	Cartersville	Offer		HS QB/DB. His Michigan offer is actually as a QB. He is a baseball prospect as well, who wants to do both in college.	All of his other schools have offered him at safety.
Jordan Luallen	6-3, 187, 4.75	****	Greenwood, IN	Center Grove			A white boy who is slower than IU’s Kellen Lewis, but still compares himself to the IU signal-caller. His high school runs the Wing-T. He is also a track athlete.	IU really likes Luallen. Georgia is his favorite, despite no offer. He is swinging through the Peach State this weekend.
Clayton Moore	6-2, 205	***	Louisville, MS	Louisville		Maybe early enroll	Passer who can run. He is also a baseball prospect who may opt for that route instead. He was a 2nd team all state 2007 selection according to the Clarion Ledger.	Michigan’s Mississippi presence has increased greatly with the addition of coach Hopson.
Kolby Gray	6-2, 180, 4.58	***	Houston, TX	Cy-Falls			Threw for 222 yards in the McGuffie ESPN2 game. He carries his HS team. He bout to blow up, ya’ll.	So far, mostly smaller offers.
Thomas Gordon	6-0, 170	***	Detroit, MI	Cass Tech			Could be a depth player if Michigan gets a super QB, or move to a different position, etc.	At least one of his teammates will be heading to Ann Arbor. He is probably Michigan’s if they want him.
Darwin Rogers	6-4, 205	***	Chicago, IL	Leo			He was hurt most of his junior year, and can really climb up the board with combine/camp performances. His class at Leo HS appears to have a lot of D1 prospects.	Has a couple teammates already committed to Illinois.
Stephon Gilmore	6-0, 175, 4.5	***	Rock Hill, SC	South Pointe	Offer		Probably a #2-type guy that may come to Michigan for the opportunity to play QB, but won’t scare off Newsome or Forcier. He is a QB/S who runs the spread in HS.	Most of his other offers are at S. Tennessee is his favorite.

Michigan’s top prospect is likely Kevin Newsome, who is a near-perfect fit for the offensive scheme. He is also a pretty serious student, and is considering an early enrollment. After that, Tate Forcier and Shavodrick Beaver are the next prospects. Beaver is an explosive athlete as well, and Michigan fans would be ecstatic to gain his commitment as well. It is unlikely that Michigan will be able to convince 2 top-top guys to commit (this isn’t USC, after all), so one elite prospect (of the aforementioned group of three) and another depth player/project (perhaps Thomas Gordon from Cass Tech or Darwin Rogers from Chicago Leo) would be a realistic goal.

Class of ’09 Running Back Commits
Name	Measurables	R ating	Hometown	School	Player Notes	Recruiting Notes
Teric Jones	5-10, 190, 4.39	***	Detroit, MI	Cass Tech	Ran a fast 40 at Army junior combine, and was considered top-10 there. Could fit in the slot or backfield in the RichRod Offense. Less power and experience than Baker/Caper, but more speed. He needs the most work, but has the most upside.	Michigan’s 3rd commit, on 3-29-08
Fitzgerald Toussaint	5-10, 185	****	Youngstown, OH	Liberty	RB/Slot. Teammate of Julius Ferrell and Isaiah Bell.	Michigan’s fifth commit, 4-18-08.

Both of these guys can be RB/slot players.

Class of ’09 Running Backs
Name	Measurables	Rating	Hometown	School	Offer?	Timetable	Player Notes	Recruiting Notes
David Oku	5-9, 174	****	Oklahoma City, OK	Albert	Offer	October 10th (his birthday) or sometime in November.	Is he an RB or slot WR in college? He is Devine-like.	Down to a top 6 of Michigan, OSU, USC, FSU, Tennessee, and Illinois.
Ronnie Wingo	6-2, 205, 4.49	****	St. Louis, MO	St. Louis University			RB/CB prospect (he would be a BIG CB). 10.78 100m	He visited Michigan in the fall. Illinois is a major player for his services. Dad committed to MSU but didn’t play there. Mizzou junior day visitor.
Jordan Hall	5-9, 180	****	Jeannette, PA	Jeannette	Offer	Early decision.	A two-way player who could also be a defender or slot receiver in college.	Visited OSU with Terrelle Pryor, will Pryor’s choice influence Hall?
Tavon Austin	5-9, 170, 4.49	****	Baltimore, MD	Dunbar	Offer		Short, speedy guy. Sounds familiar, no?	Maryland wants him. They are his co-leader with UVa.
Darrell Mason	6-0, 209	****	Youngstown, OH	Ursuline			RB/Athlete.	Rich Rodriguez visited his school in January ’08 on the way back from Pennsylvania. Ohio State is pretty big favorite.
Jazsman Mitchell	5-9, 170	***	Tyler, TX	Lee			A little guy who is probably a slot WR prospect.	LSU and Texas are cleaning up East Texas this year…
Desmond Scott	5-9, 179	***	Durham, NC	Hillside			Jim Stefani notes that he would be a good fit for the Rich Rodriguez spread.
David Wilson	5-9, 170	***	Danville, Va	George Washington	Offer?
Hersey Jackson	6-1, 215, 4.6	***	Allendale, MI	Allendale			A bigger, bruising back. Interesting to see if he might be receptive to adding weight to become an MX back in the Rodriguez offense. He is unlikely to have feature-back speed at a high-BCS level.	Attended Michigan’s junior day.
Vincent Smith	5-9, 170	***	Pahokee, FL	Pahokee			HS teammate of Wolverine Martavious Odoms.

With two speedy guys already in the fold, Michigan may start to slow down at the RB position, unless they are projected to both be slot players. Michigan may be done, unless a top guy wants to commit. If they want a power back or MX, Hersey Jackson could be the guy, though I’m not sure there is much interest from either party.

Posted under Personnel, Recruiting
Tags: depth chart, personnel, Recruiting

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