Michigan Football: Depth Chart Analysis
It’s finally out. Michigan football has released its opening week depth chart, and the fun can now officially begin.
First, some notes:
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The quarterback spot lists Shane Morris OR Jake Rudock. Neither quarterback has separated himself apparently, and the waiting game there continues.
The backup quarterback position is also still up for grabs, as the depth chart lists Alex Malzone OR Wilton Speight.
Running back De’Veon Smith did enough in fall camp to get the definitive nod for the opener, earning his starting spot above Derrick Green OR Ty Isaac.
Michigan lists Amara Darboh OR Drake Harris as the No. 1 wide receiver.
There’s no surprise on the offensive line: left tackle Mason Cole, left guard Ben Braden, center Graham Glasgow, right guard Kyle Kalis, right tackle Erik Magnuson.
Jourdan Lewis and Channing Stribling will start at opposite corners on defense.
Jabrill Peppers (strong) and Jarrod Wilson (free) will start at safety.
The kicker will either be Kenny Allen OR Kyle Seychel.
Here’s the full depth chart:
WR
82 Amara Darboh OR 14 Drake Harris
85 Maurice Ways
LT
52 Mason Cole
72 Logan Tuley-Tillman
LG
71 Ben Braden
55 David Dawson
C
61 Graham Glasgow
57 Patrick Kugler
RG
67 Kyle Kalis
76 Juwan Bushell-Beatty
RT
78 Erik Magnuson
62 Blake Bars
TE
88 Jake Butt
80 Khalid Hill OR 84 AJ Williams
89 Ian Bunting
WR
86 Jehu Chesson or 9 Grant Perry
41 Brian Cole
QB
7 Shane Morris or 15 Jake Rudock
12 Alex Malzone or 19 Wilton Speight
FB
36 Joe Kerridge
39 Sione Houma or 19 Henry Poggi
TB
4 De’Veon Smith
27 Derrick Green or Ty Isaac
22 Karan Higdon or 29 Ross Taylor-Douglas
DE
69 Willie Henry
33 Taco Charlton
NT
96 Ryan Glasgow
73 Maurice Hurst
DT
43 Chris Wormley OR Matt Godin
Buck
53 Mario Ojemudia
52 Royce Jenkins-Stone
93 Lawrence Marshall
ILB
3 Desmond Morgan
42 Ben Gedeon
9 Mike McCray
ILB
35 Joe Bolden
15 James Ross
OLB
15 James ross
14 Allen Gant
CB
26 Jourdan Lewis
34 Jeremy Clark
FS
22 Jarrod Wilson
44 Delano Hill
SS
5 Jabrill Peppers
25 Dymonte Thomas or Wayne Lyons
CB
8 Channing Stribling
28 Brandon Watson
Kicker
91 Kenny Allen or 3 Kyle Seychel
Punter
91 Kenny Allen or 12 Blake O’Neill
KR
86 Jehu Chesson or 5 Jabrill Peppers
PR
86 Jehu Chesson or 5 Jabrill Peppers
Michigan Wolverines
It isn’t very surprising that Jim Harbaugh didn’t take this opportunity to name a starting quarterback. He only said he would have a depth chart out today.
However there were a few unknowns finally solved.
The thick battle at running back was settled by junior De’Veon Smith, who led the team last season with 519 rushing yards and six scores. Smith brings more versatility out of the backfield than Derrick Green or Ty Isaac, even though Harbaugh’s offensive schemes traditionally favor more heavily-set backs.
Something to consider is that this race could have looked completely different with a healthy Drake Johnson.
Another battle settled was at corner, where Jourdan Lewis and Channing Stribling got the nod over Jeremy Clark and Brandon Watson.
It was thought for a while that fifth-year graduate transfer Wayne Lyons was going to find himself in a starting role this season, but he’s listed as a backup, alongside Dymonte Thomas, to Jabrill Peppers.
Something kind of interesting happened on the defensive line. Willie Henry is a strong-side defensive end, while Chris Wormley is back at tackle. Henry will be an aggressive pass-rusher off the edge.
It doesn’t look like there are any big surprises on Michigan’s first depth chart of the season. A few questions were answered; a few others weren’t.
But don’t worry, we’re only three days away.