Michigan Football: Taking a stab at the Wolverines 2020 Depth chart

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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Breaking down the offense positions

Quarterback

Other than playing time from the 2019-20 season, there isn’t really any indication that either Dylan McCaffrey or Joe Milton hold the lead for the starting QB gig.

With Dylan, you have a guy with legs and proven accuracy, which bodes well in Josh Gattis’s retooled offense.

With Joe, you have a much bigger quarterback with speed, but he is known to have issues with accuracy. No one is doubting Milton can heave the rock 70+ yards, but can he hit someone in stride on a consistent basis and in front of the coaches this fall? That will be the determining factor.

You can’t forget about Cade McNamara, who’s moving into year two. Josh Gattis spoke with Jon Jansen on the In the Trenches podcast and said that while most are under the impression this is a two-man competition, it’s not. He referenced Cade’s performance in practice from last year that bumped him elevated him to contender status.

You can read some more in-depth analysis of the potential starters here.

Running Back

Starter: Zach Charbonnet

Backups: Hassan Haskins, Chris Evans

Last offseason, Chris Evans was declared ineligible due to academic reasons. This winter, it was announced he would rejoin the team for the 2020-21 season. But will he do so as a starter? Doubtful.

The RB room is arguably the strongest position group on this team, and it’ll be challenging for Chris to dethrone the returning duo of Hassan Haskins and Zach Charbonnet.

While Zach is listed as the starter, Hassan and Charbonnet are really 1A and 1B.

Lineman

Starters: From LT to RT Ryan Hayes, Chuck Filiaga, Zach Carpenter, Andrew Stueber, Jalen Mayfield

Backups: From LT to RT Karsen Barnhart, Nolan Rumler, Andrew Vastardis, Zak Zinter, Joel Honigford

A lot of movement away from the line as four starters, all with NFL potential, hope to be drafted later this year in Las Vegas. Andrew Stueber and Ryan Hayes were considered for an opening a year ago, but Andrew tore his ACL, and Ryan was beat out – ever so slightly – by Jalen Mayfield.

Tight end

Starter: Nick Eubanks

Backups: Erick All, Luke Schoonmaker

Nick Eubanks had a phenomenal year despite splitting time with Sean McKeon. Eubanks registered 25 catches for 243 yards, and he hauled in four touchdowns.

Sophomore Erick All made 11 appearances making him a letter winner, and he was a regular contributor on special teams.

Wide receivers

Starter: Nico Collins, Ronnie Bell

Backups: Giles Jackson, Cornelius Johnson, Mike Sainristil, A.J. Henning

Nico Collins could’ve left and most likely found himself on an NFL roster either on draft day or in the minutes after as a UDFA. Still, he decided he wanted one more year to establish himself as a highly sought after commodity. He will certainly get that chance, and after evolving into the jump ball specialist, he will become a frequent target for whoever gets the QB job.

Ronnie Bell led the team in receiving yards and is a lock opposite Collins. Although, freshman A.J. Henning could sneak in at either position or at the slot.

There’s also the trio of Giles Jackson, Cornelius Johnson, Mike Sainristil that will look to make a statement in 2020.

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