Now that the Michigan football roster is essentially finalized following some additions from the transfer portal, it feels like a good time to break down the depth chart.
We were going to release our projection after the spring but it seemed better to wait until the dust settled from the transfer portal.
Thankfully, Michigan football made more additions this spring than subtractions and here's what it all means for the roster with our 2024 depth chart projection for the Wolverines.
Quarterback
Starter: Alex Orji
Top Backups: Jack Tuttle, Davis Warren, jayden Denegal and Jadyn Davis
Alex Orji brings something to the Michigan football offense that no other quarterback in the competition does and that's the ability to run.
We didn't see that much in the spring game. Michigan wasn't calling runs for Orji so it will be interesting to see how the offense functions. Even though J.J. McCarthy could run, the Wolverines didn't take advantage of that much with their play calling.
You want to protect Orji but if he's the quarterback, the running game will be a huge part of it. Throwing the ball accurately will be the key but I believe he's good enough as a passer to win the job and keep it for the 2024 season.
Running back
Starter: Donovan Edwards
Top Backups: Kalel Mullings, Benjamin Hall, Cole Cabana, and Jordan Marshall
This is a no-brainer. Edwards is going to start for the Wolverines and he's also going to rush for 1,000 yards for the first time. That's my prediction at least.
Edwards just looked different during the spring game. He looked patient and with more attempts, he's going to have a breakout season. Don't underestimate Mullings though. He's good enough to start in the Big Ten and my guess is that he proves to be an effective second fiddle.
Jordan Marshall, Cole Cabana, and Benjamin Hall will get some run too, but the top two guys will get the bulk of the workload once again.
WR
Starters: Semaj Morgan, Tyler Morris, and Frederick Moore
Top Backups: Amorion Walker, CJ Charleston, Kendrick Bell, and Peyton O'Leary
Michigan football is young at wide receiver. The Wolverines knew they needed to add some experience and they did via the transfer portal.
However, Amorion Walker, who transferred back from Ole Miss, has a lot to prove as a pass catcher. CJ Charleston transferred up from Youngstown State. Yet, it's a big leap to the Big Ten. He can provide solid depth but the top three seems pretty set.
Walker can add that explosive element down the field. He can be a true deep threat. But Morgan and Morris are poised for breakout seasons. The same can be said for Moore, who was stellar in the spring game.
Semaj made a big impact as a freshman and he feels like the guy in the slot. Morris flashed what he can do in the Rose Bowl. But now, Michigan needs to see it more consistently.
TE
Starter: Colston Loveland
Top Backups: Marlin Klein and Max Bredeson
The tight end room is going to be about these three dudes. Zach Marshall and Deakon Tonielli will get some snaps this season. They are both talented players who could push to start down the road.
But for now, Michigan football has the best tight end in college football in Colston Loveland. He had 45 receptions for 649 yards and four touchdowns last season. It might be tough to match those numbers because we don't know how good the quarterbacks are going to be, but Loveland will shine once again.
Marlin Klein was impressive during the spring. He's another weapon and should give Michigan another 1-2 punch in the passing game, just like it has had at tight end the past two seasons. Max Bredeson is an elite blocker and is sort of a true H-Back. He'll see plenty of snaps this season and could have a bigger role as a pass catcher too.
Offensive line
Starters: Myles Hinton, Josh Priebe, Greg Crippen, Giovanni El-Hadi, Andrew Gentry
Top Backups: Jeff Persi, Raheem Anderson, Evan Link, Tristan Bounds, Dominick Giudice, Nathen Efobi
It feels like the only position up for grabs going into fall camp is right tackle. Myles Hinton will start on the left side and if he can finally realize his potential, he might be the best left tackle Michigan football has had during this recent run of success.
Hinton has all the tools to be a first-round pick as Kirk Campbell said this spring. Even though Grant Newsome has taken over as the O-line coach, if any program had get it out of Hinton, it's Michigan.
Michigan football won the Joe Moore Award in 2021 and 2022. The Wolverines were elite up front again in 2023, and despite losing all five starters, this group should be fine. Priebe was an All-Big Ten selection. Crippen and El-Hadi have been good enough to start games, but have been stuck behind an incredibly deep offensive line the past couple of years.
Gentry is a concern at right tackle but he was a former top-100 recruit. He looked more of the part this spring. There were some struggles but again, I believe in the coaching staff's ability to develop offensive lineman.
Defensive line
Starters: Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Rayshaun Benny
Top Backups: Ike Iwunnah, Trey Pierce, Cameron Brandt and Enow Etta
There's a reason Michigan football pursued multiple defensive linemen in the transfer portal. As good as the top three are and they are as good as any in college football, you can never have enough depth.
Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant could each be first-round picks. Rayshaun Benny is also a standout and could start for basically every team in the Big Ten. Benny was hurt at the end of last season and getting him back to 100 percent is key.
Enow Etta is a sophomore to watch. He's going to play some EDGE and defensive tackle. Maybe he could play the Mike Morris role which was essentially a hybrid of the two. But depth will have to be developed within.
EDGE
Starters: Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore
Backups: TJ Guy, Etta, Breeon Ishmail, Kechaun Bennett, and Aymeric Koumba
Things are straightforward at EDGE too. Derrick Moore has first-round pick potential. Josaiah Stewart was a key force on the game-winning play in the Rose Bowl. Both have the potential to be All-Big Ten performers and on a national level, this is one of the most underrated aspects of the U-M defense.
TJ Guy stood out in the spring game. Sherrone Moore even said this week that he was "wreaking" things at practice. He's going to be the No. 3. Beyond that, Michigan football will need guys like Etta, Aymeric Koumba, Breeon Ishmail, and others to deliver on their immense promise.
Linebacker
Starters: Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham
Top backups: Jaydon Hood, Jimmy Rolder, Christian Boivin, and Cole Sullivan
Much like the defensive line and EDGE positions, Michigan football is set at linebacker. The Wolverines have two talented starters in Jaishawn Barham, a former Maryland linebacker who transferred plus another former transfer, Ernest Hausmann.
Hausmann was the third linebacker last season but essentially played like a starter. I have zero concerns about him in a full-time role. Barham is going to be a stud and some think he could have a huge impact this season.
Jimmy Rolder has been solid at times. He just wasn't healthy last season. Jaydon Hood has paid his dues and the Wolverines will need quality snaps out of both in 2024.
Cornerback
Starters: Will Johnson and Jyaire Hill
Top backups: Aamir Hall, Ricky Johnson, Ja'Den McBurrows, Myles Pollard, and Kody Jones
Will Johnson might be the best cornerback in college football. He's a no-doubt starter but the spot opposite him will be one of the most interesting battles in fall camp. Jyaire Hill is my best guess. He's 6-foot-2 and a former top-200 recruit.
Hill just needed a little seasoning and maturing. Aamir Hall will push him. Ricky Johnson will too and the good news is that if Hill isn't ready, the Wolverines have veteran insurance. Depending on who wins the nickel job, Ja'Den McBurrows could be a factor for the No. 2 cornerback job too.
Nickel
Starter: Zeke Berry or Ja'Den McBurrows
The four transfer portal additions -- two at cornerback and two at safety -- give Michigan football the depth to allow Zeke Berry and McBurrows to battle it out for the nickel job.
McBurrows wasn't completely healthy this spring. So Berry might have the edge now, but he'll need to hold that in fall camp. Nickel feels like his best position though. He shined in the spring game and if he can hold down that spot, McBurrows could add even more depth at cornerback.
You could also see both guys get snaps at nickel depending on the opponent. Maybe some weeks, Michigan will prefer Berry, and some weeks, McBurrows. It could even change from game to game.
Safety
Starters: Makari Paige and Quentin Johnson
Backups: Jaden Mangham, Wesley Walker, and Zeke Berry
In some ways, the starter at safety isn't going to matter that much. Rod Moore, Makari Paige, Quentin Johnson, and Keon Sabb all saw plenty of snaps last season.
Moore is out with an injury and could miss the entire 2024 season. Johnson is back but Sabb transferred to Alabama. So you have Moore and Sabb's snaps to replace. Sabb played some in the slot last season and Wesley Walker feels like a perfect fit for that role in dime or big nickel packages.
Paige is the one sure-fire starter. Jaden Mangham could start in Rod Moore's role and is probably the closest thing to Moore on the roster but he needs seasoning. We'll also have to see how he fits into Michigan's system. I do think he'll play a lot but I'm not sure he's ready to start day one.
Johnson and Paige feel like the opening tandem, even if, all four guys are essentially starting-caliber players.
Special teams
Tommy Doman wil handle the punting duties, while Michigan football kicker added Dominic Zvada from the transfer portal. Semaj Morgan will probably get his dibs on kickoff and punt returns, although I wonder if there is a more sure-handed punt return guy.