Michigan Football: Predicting Wolverines starters in 2020

Sub-package players, specialists

In the world of modern football, there aren’t just 22 starters and that’s not including special teams. Third-down backs, nickel corners, third-down pass rushers are all essentially part-time starters, so it made sense to include them here.

3rd-down back: Chris Evans; Fullback: Ben Mason

Evans didn’t play last season due to academic suspension but in the speed-in-space offense, he could be electric. He was never a guy you wanted to carry the ball 20 times a game and next season, his role won’t be huge, however, it could be impactful. His job will be to make explosive plays. Ben Mason, will also have a specialized role as a fullback and sometimes, lead blocker. He’s best suited for that and even though Michigan football is spreading out more, there are still times you need to be able to grind out some yards.

Edge rusher: Luiji Vilain; SAM: Anthony Solomon

Last season, Uche did so many things for Michigan’s defense, it will take multiple people to fill the gap. He essentially led the Wolverines to use more odd fronts last season. This year, the four-man front seems more likely, but Vilain, a former top-100 recruit could fill Uche’s old role as a pass-rush specialist, while Solomon, who could see snaps at Viper too, can fill some of the other duties.

Nickel: Andre Seldon

DJ Turner is a talented former three-star prospect and he will be right in the mix for the nickel-corner job. But in my eyes, freshman Andre Seldon is uniquely suited for that position and the 5-foot-8 freshman is exactly the kind of corner Michigan needs against some of these elite offenses.

Returner: Giles Jackson 

Michigan generally uses different guys for punt and kickoff returns, however, Giles Jackson is a special talent. He scored touchdowns in three different ways last season, including a kickoff return and it might be worth letting him do both.

FG: Quinn Nordin; P: Will Hart; Kickoff Specialist: Jake Moody; LS: Cam Cheeseman

Quinn Nordin has had an up-and-down career but he found some consistency late last season. Nordin and Hart could give Michigan solid options at kicker and punter.