Arriving in the fall:
Dan O’Neill, Rocko Khoury, Kurt Wermers, Ricky Barnum, Elliott Mealer, Patrick Omameh. Redshirts on the way for just about all of them except maybe O’Neill and whichever interior OL is most ready to play.

David Molk was out for most of the spring (with mono), but I think he’ll use summer camp as a springboard into a starting position. Though Michigan doesn’t lose anyone from this group, the departures of a few players mean that they are still a little thin at the position. Rodriguez likes to have around 16 linemen on the roster, and he will have 15 on the roster next year (including a couple who aren’t likely to ever have big contributions).

Not a ton of need here. They will probably be able to hold out for a couple highly-ranked guys (1-2 tackles, 1-2 interior OL).

Posted under Personnel, Recruiting

Arriving in the fall: Mike Martin (DT).

Michigan really needed some DEs in the 2008 class, and pulled none. They also lose three of their starting linemen to graduation, and the jury is still out on whether everyone else will stick it out.

William Campbell is a great start. Michigan might want to snag another good DT (do they have enough depth to only grab one if he’s on a higher level?)

Michigan has a ton of need here, and don’t be surprised if they grab 2 or 3.

Posted under Personnel, Recruiting

Arriving in the fall:
Kevin Koger & Brandon Moore (TE), Roy Roundtree (WR), Michael Shaw (also an RB) & Terrence Robinson & Martavious Odoms (Slot). All three slots are essentially guaranteed to see PT. Roundtree might get some spot duty, along with perhaps one of the TEs (not likely). I foresee Redshirts for both TEs and Roundtree.

Clemons could be a monster in the slot, but the position is too important in this offense to have just one body there. He also has a skill set that transfers to outside receiver so he’ll likely see time at both positions. Earnly enrollee Darryl Stonum had an impressive spring, and will probably see significant PT in the fall.

This position group loses nobody except perpetually-injured tight end Mike Massey. For recruiting, they will look for a couple outside WRs and apparently 7,000 slot guys (with two potentially committed in Teric Jones and Fitzgerald Toussaint).

Michigan will need 2-3 slot guys (with 2 potentially committed already, in Teric Jones and Fitzgerald Toussaint (see RB)), and about 2 outside receivers. James Jackson seems like another slot-type guy that could potentially end up with Michigan, though he appears to be digging OSU of late. Bryce McNeal is currently the strongest shot at an outside receiver.

If Fragel were to commit, he probably wouldn’t end up at TE. Sims and Mitchell are big TEs with WR speed, though I still maintain that Sims’s best future position would be DE (where he could be an absolute terror).

Posted under Personnel, Recruiting

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

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.

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.

Both of these guys can be RB/slot players.

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

In Scott Shafer’s presumably blitz-happy defensive scheme, Brandon Harrison will probably remain at designated-blitzer-defensive-back-guy. The starting safeties will be the biggest item of interest. Stevie Brown will probably be free (and will be better than he looked against App State, I promise), but will Charles Stewart be strong, or can a younger guy step up? I also wonder if Michael Williams has finally worked out all of his health issues.

Looking at this depth chart, it’s somewhat surprising to see how big a DB class came in last year (and how few of them redshirted).

Posted under Analysis, Personnel, Spring Coverage

I’m of the opinion that, with the lack of speed defensive ends, you may see a player like Marrell Evans, who was a defensive end/designated rusher in high school, move down to the DL. The true freshmen won’t be here until fall, so we won’t know if one of them makes a similar transition (i.e. Marcus Witherspoon). Other things include the starting LB unit. Where does Obi Ezeh start, and how does this affect who the other starting LB will be?

There is a lot of depth at the SAM position, even before the freshmen come in. Because of this, most LBs will probably learn multiple positions.

Posted under Analysis, Personnel, Spring Coverage

Spring will be a good time to tell us a couple of important facts about the defensive front. First, is Jason Kates going to stay with the team? Conflicting reports have stated that he has quit, while other assert he is still with the team. If he doesn’t participate in spring practice, we can assume he is gone. Also, a few positions will be ironed out. Adam Patterson, Ryan VanBergen, and Greg Banks haven’t been established at one particular position, and we’ll be able to get a better idea where the S&C has taken their bodies.

In terms of performance, I really want to know if there is any quality depth behind the starters, especially helpful to see who can step up as starters when three members of the D-line leave after 2008. Mike Martin and a top-notch freshman defensive end will not be around for the spring. Unfortunately, the defensive end will not be around for the fall either.

Posted under Analysis, Personnel, Spring Coverage

The offensive line will be the area of least knowledge going into the spring for those not affiliated with the program. A new skill set will likely be required of Rich Rodriguez’s offensive linemen than was of Lloyd Carr’s. The existing players with the best fit will play under Rodriguez. Not-yet-existing for this spring are incoming freshmen Dann O’Neill, Rocko Khoury, Kurt Wermers, Ricky Barnum, Elliott Mealer, and Patrick Omameh. At the guard positions, it looks like at least one of them will have to play for depth this season.

While I think it would be good for Steve Schilling to move inside (both for his skill set and depth along the interior), I have heard he is being kept at tackle for now. Ortmann will likely man the left tackle spot, and Boren is a lock at one of the guard positions, barring injury. David Moosman and Molk will battle with Tim McAvoy for the remaining two spots. I have given the nod to those that I think are more likely to win the battles.

After spring, there will be a lot more clarity as to where certain guys will fit. Of note: Nobody on this depth chart will lose their eligibility following this season.

Posted under Analysis, Personnel, Spring Coverage

The only freshman who will participate in spring practice is Darryl Stonum. None of the others (Shaw, Roundtree, Odoms, Robinson, Koger, and Moore) will arrive on campus until fall camp. Position battles include Butler v. Massey at tight end (I see Butler excelling in the Rodriguez system – if he can make it through the conditioning regimen) and the #2 receiver spot is essentially up for grabs, along with slot receiver. Avery Horn is listed under slot (as well as RB), because it is unclear which position he is more likely to play (probably a combination).

Posted under Analysis, Personnel, Spring Coverage

Part 2 in the Pre-spring preview. Today will be the offense.

Obviously Justin Feagin, Mike Cox, and Sam McGuffie are not going to be around until the fall, and will not participate in spring practice. Thus, the positional battles will not be fully settled until the fall. Battles of note: I think Vince Helmuth will become the starter in a system that places a greater emphasis on athleticism. Kevin Grady is listed at tailback on this chart, though it is possible that spring brings a change to the MX position, or at least learning both of the positions. Andre Criswell is more of a classic fullback (and is not even exceptional at that position); I’m not sure if he’s much of a fit at MX. I’m starting to wonder if a player like him will ever find a spot on Rich Rodriguez’s team.

Posted under Analysis, Personnel, Spring Coverage