Names You Should Know: Returning Leaders
2016 Edition
1. Jourdan Lewis CB (Sr) - Lewis was my number one player coming back last year and he did not disappoint. His presence in the secondary is pivotal, as he presents a real threat to opposing passers. Honestly, there might not be a better corner in the country. He is a willing tackler who will come up to help in run support, but his real forte is coverage. Without him on the field the defense as a whole would look a bit different. He is also a very good kick returner and he genuinely looks for ways to contribute as a player.
2. Jake Butt TE (Sr) - Butt already ranks among the best tight ends to ever play at Michigan, and he could have been a second round pick in this year's draft. The team is privileged to have him back for his senior year, just as much as they are to get Lewis back. Butt has been and will continue to be a huge factor as a team leader on the field and in the lockerroom. Everybody is expecting a monster season from him now that the offense has two full off-seasons under Harbaugh and company.
3. Chris Wormley DL (5th) - Wormley is a another returning player that already has a ton of quality experience on his resume and could've been a high draft pick this year. Just like Lewis and Butt, he is choosing to come back for one more season. He will be among the best defenders in the conference, and possibly the country. He will get a ton of attention from pro scouts and I would not be shocked if he was taken in the first round next spring.
4. Jehu Chesson (5th) - As the reigning team MVP, nobody saw a greater jump in productivity over the course of the last year than Chesson. He is one of the fastest players on the team that has always given good effort while blocking on the perimeter. He came alive as a receiver and a kick returner midway through the season and then he tore apart the Gators' vaunted secondary in the Citrus Bowl. More is now expected from him in his final campaign. Could he too be a top draft pick next spring? Yes, I believe he could.
5. Jabrill Peppers LB/DB (RSo) - Everybody knows there isn't a better athlete on the team than Peppers. He can and actually will do everything in all three phases of the game. He is known as having a great attitude and being a hard worker every day, and if he returns for 2017 he will no doubt top this list. The fact that he is not number one is a testament to the quality of the senior leadership on this team.
6. Mason Cole OT/C (Jr) - Cole is the best lineman on the team and he can actually play all five positions up front. He has two years of starting experience at left tackle but he should be the next great Michigan center after moving there this spring. He should be a First Team All-Conference player before his career is over.
7. Ryan Glasgow NT (5th) - A former walk-on, Glasgow has a non-stop motor and he uses great technique to beat guys that are more athletically gifted than him. As soon as he went down with an injury the defense really started to suffer up front. He will be depended on as much as Wormley to be a leader on defense.
8. De'Veon Smith RB (Sr) - Smith is the returning statistical leader in the backfield for the second year in a row despite suffering some nagging lower leg injuries. If he can maintain optimal health he could finally rush for 1,000 yards and score double digit TD's. While he definitely won't beat many safeties in a foot race, he generally makes good reads and allows his blockers to do a lot of the heavy lifting. He is and will remain the starter.
9. Amara Darboh WR (5th) - Darboh was expected to be the number one guy last season, but Chesson kinda stole the show. That's not to say that he had a bad year or that he didn't have his own highlights. He actually did lead the team with 58 catches and he should have a big senior year. He should also be a mid-round draft pick too.
10. Erik Magnusson OT (5th) - Mags has carved out a nice niche as a tough, versatile lineman. As a fifth-year player he will be counted on to be a leader too. He has started 24 games at both guard and tackle over the last three years, so the experience is there for him to draw from. With a mistake-free year he will get drafted.
11. Taco Charlton DE (Sr) - With a name like Taco and an ability to make plays in the backfield (nine sacks and 14 tackles for a loss as a top reserve over the last two years), it's no wonder why he is a fan favorite. He has a lot of experience (four starts) to his credit and rumor has it that he is a good teammate that loves the game as much as anybody. Many of us fans are expecting BIG things from him this fall.
12. Drake Johnson RB (5th) - As one of the fastest and most experienced running backs on the roster, it will be hard to keep Johnson off the field. There is some young talent looking to make an impact right away, but they can wait a year while Smith and Johnson finish out their legacies with a bang. And while Smith is a big jack-hammer-type back, Johnson brings more finesse and speed. He is also a decent receiver out of the backfield. Don't be surprised if they both make NFL rosters someday.
13. Kyle Kalis OG (5th) - Kalis hasn't quite lived up to expectations as one of the top recruits in the class of 2011, but he hasn't been horrible either. I would just like to see a little more push along the front line from the right guard. He did improve over the course of the year and probably had his best game against Florida. He now has 28 starts to his credit so it's probably about time he put it all together for a dominant year from start to finish.
14. Ben Gedeon MLB (Sr) - Gedeon is a former four-star athlete that has been a primary backup since stepping foot on campus four years ago. He has garnered a lot of playing time and will now be one of the fulltime starters. The reports on him out of spring practices were very good, so there is a lot to be excited about with him next to Peppers.
15. Bryan Mone (RSo) - After sitting out the entire 2015 season with an ankle injury, Mone will be returning to have a huge impact on the D-line. If both he and Glasgow have injury free years it will be an uphill battle for most offenses to establish any kind of inside running game. Both guys are future NFL'ers.
16. Channing Stribling CB (Sr) - Has been getting reps in games since his freshman year and he should be 'the other starting corner' opposite Lewis. Stribling had a very strong spring and asserted himself back into the starting lineup. If he does take his play to another level and stay healthy there will be very little hope for the majority of Big Ten wide-outs against the Wolverines.
17. Delano Hill SS (5th) - With his younger brother now entering the mix out at corner as a true freshman, Delano needs to set the example as a veteran player at safety. He already has 13 starts to his credit over the last two years and the coaches are counting on him to have a good season as they move Peppers to LB.
18. Dymonte Thomas FS (Sr) - Started making a name for himself on the team midway through the season and looks like a starter at safety for his final year of eligibility. He was a highly regarded four-star athlete coming out of high school, and with the defense as good as it is around him he now has a chance to make a name for himself in the conference too.
19. Jeremy Clark DB (5th) - With multiple starts at both safety and cornerback, Clark brings a lot of experience to the table. At 6'4"/205lbs, he possesses the type of size to create matchup nightmares for offenses. He also runs a 4.4 forty. Whether or not he starts or is used primarily as a nickel player, it is of no consequence to us fans. He will be on the field a lot this fall and he will be a big-time contributor. He does have some pro potential too, which tells you a lot about the quality of depth on this defense.
20. Ben Braden OG/T (5th) - Another lineman that has two dozen starts but has not been too overwhelming for opponents...yet. At 6'5"/336lbs, Braden is surprisingly athletic and he could be a key player on one of the nation's best O-lines. A lot is riding on him performing at a high level in his 5th year and the coaches seem confident that he is taking that next step in his respective development. It's fair to argue that he should be bumped up this list a little bit, considering how much experience he has in the trenches.
Notable Mention:
Mike McCray II LB (RJr) - After being MIA for most of the past 12 months, McCray II is now my pick to have a break-out year in 2016. It is unclear exactly what type of player he will be for Michigan, but the little bit we have seen from the former four-star our of Ohio at least gives me some hope. He was heavily recruited and in 2014 was a top backup on the nation's #7 defense. He earned playing time in 11 games that year with one tackle, one tackle for a loss, and a blocked punt. Yes, that is minimal stuff, but it's a good sign from a guy in a limited role. All the reports on him this spring were positive and he topped it off by being the leading tackler in the spring game, including two for a loss. If he does indeed stay healthy he could team up with Gedeon and Peppers to actually form one of the best linebacking units this team has had in nearly two decades.
Top Role Players, Contributors, and the Best off the Bench:
Henry Poggi FB/HB (RJr) - At 6'4"/270lbs he could be a real handful for any defender that he is targeting on a lead block. He could also help out at defensive end if another body is ever needed over there.
Kahlid Hill FB/HB - Will play a number of roles going forward, but he will primarily be a fullback/H-back role. Has shown good hands and some sneaky moves for a guy his size (6'2"/263lbs).
Grant Perry WR (So) - Should be the top guy in the slot and the number three receiver overall. He isn't the fastest guy on the field but he knows how to play ball. And that's all that really matters.
Maurice Hurst Jr. DT (RJr) - Could start for a lot of teams and will be one of the top backups along the DL who will get a lot of PT. He too had a monster spring game too.
Ian Bunting TE (RSo) - Did earn playing time in his second year on campus and looks like a top backup right now for Jake Butt. He is expected to contribute more this season and compete for a more prominent role next year.
Patrick Kugler (RJr) - Appears to be the top backup at guard and center heading into spring. If Cole has to play tackle Kugler will be the center.
Drake Harris (RSo) - Now that he 's gotten some experience on the field and has gone almost a year without injury, it could be a breakout year for the speedy and athletic Harris.
Mo' Ways (RSo) - Has made improvements each of the last two off-seasons and contributed quite a bit as a redshirt freshman. He will be a top backup at receiver if he recovers from foot surgery that derailed his spring.
Shane Morris QB (RJr) - Morris took a redshirt in Harbaugh's first year and was not considered a favorite to win the starting job going into spring. His arm is legit though, and he is a decent athlete that has surprisingly good quickness with the ball in his hands, so he could end up being one of the biggest surprises of 2016.
On the Rise:
Grant Newsome OT (So) - Looks like a prototypical Michigan tackle and he has quickly established himself with the coaching staff as a player they can rely on. He is already listed as the starter in spring after getting one nod as a true freshman (as a sixth lineman). His ceiling is high.
Ty Issac RB (RJr) - As a fan, I wasn't particularly happy about Issac's fumbles early in 2015, so I wasn't that surprised when he got benched. He looks like he is in better shape though and the reports have been positive so far in the offseason. If he does in fact make a statement for himself this spring and summer there might not be enough balls to go around in the backfield for the freshmen.
Wilton Speight QB (RSo) - This big passer got some experience as the top backup last season, but he will face a lot more competition for any work this year. He did look like the best QB on the field during the spring game, so there is a chance he could be turning a corner in his development to win the job by September 3rd.
T.J. Weatley Jr. TE (RFr) - At 6'5"/290lbs, T.J. will take over where A.J. (Williams) left off in the blocking schemes. He looks like he is a little more athletic that Williams too, so he should get more looks as a receiver than his predecessor. Again, all the reports on him out of spring have been positive. Wheatley was the highest rated prospects that the Wolverines nabbed in the class of 2015.
Noah Furbush LB (RSo) - The Ohio native contributed on special teams in 2015 after redshirting the year before. He has put on nearly 25 lbs since getting on campus and the coaches have high hopes of him being a top reserve at linebacker this year, as well as playing on special teams. If he can get some good experience this year it would go a long way towards helping him prepare for a possible starting gig in 2017.
Tyree Kinnel S (So) - Earned some playing time as a freshman, particularly on special teams. He will be depended on as a top backup this year and an eventual starter in 2017. He has enough size (5'10"/200lbs), speed, and coverage skills to be a multi-dimensional defender for the Wolverines. He might even have enough skills to be a full-time corner someday. He too had a good day in the spring game, helping the Maize Team to a win.
Rueben Jones LB (RFr) - This is one guy that is going to have to bake a little bit, but the former defensive end from the Sunshine State has a lot of the right ingredients to work with at linebacker. He has enough speed and hustle to chase ballcarriers and enough strength to grapple with blockers. He just doesn't quite know what he's doing yet in regards to playing linebacker. With some diligent coaching and continued hard work he could help the team with any depth issues this fall and then compete for a starting job in another year or two. He could be a very good special teams player right away so keep your eyes peeled for him on coverage teams in the fall.
Five Instant Impact Freshmen:
Rashan Gary DL - The number one player in the country is expected to at least be a top backup and garner lots of playing time this season. It will be a lot tougher to get on the field than most people realize, as the D-line returns lots of good talent, but there is very little doubt in anybody's mind that Gary will be out there a lot this season. He has displayed a quick first step and top end speed for a guy that brings a solid 6'4"/290lbs frame. He also showed good natural strength early on in high school and now is reportedly benching 375+lbs. Could he be a top NFL prospect in three years?
Devin Bush Jr. LB - Has displayed his quickness in the spring and brings some decent pop when making contact. He could be good enough to be a starter by fall, but he will probably have to settle for a backup role behind the starters. That is okay though, as the coaches like to rotate guys to try to keep the defense on the field stocked with fresh legs.
Ben Bredeson OL - Although the staff hopes they can redshirt him, the numbers might dictate something else for Bredeson. There isn't very much depth along the line right now. So if Bredeson is as good of a prospect as we all think he is he could come in and instantly establish himself as the sixth or seventh best lineman on the roster much like Grant Newsome did last year.
Quinn Nordin K - Returning 5th-year senior Kenny Allen is solid and will get a lot of work as both a kicker and a punter. Nordin, who is the highest rated kicker that Michigan has ever recruited, should be good enough to help relieve some of the pressure. He could be the starting kicker so Allen can solely focus on punting, or vice versa. Either way, I am willing to bet that he plays as a freshman.
Khaleke Hudson LB/S - Hudson looks like one of the most underrated players in the country. He is a gifted athlete that seems to know how to really play football. I would not be shocked if he was the top backup at either SAM linebacker or at safety. I see him as the eventual successor to Peppers after he leaves for the NFL. Whenever that happens anyway.
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| Jourdan Lewis #26 |
1. Jourdan Lewis CB (Sr) - Lewis was my number one player coming back last year and he did not disappoint. His presence in the secondary is pivotal, as he presents a real threat to opposing passers. Honestly, there might not be a better corner in the country. He is a willing tackler who will come up to help in run support, but his real forte is coverage. Without him on the field the defense as a whole would look a bit different. He is also a very good kick returner and he genuinely looks for ways to contribute as a player.
2. Jake Butt TE (Sr) - Butt already ranks among the best tight ends to ever play at Michigan, and he could have been a second round pick in this year's draft. The team is privileged to have him back for his senior year, just as much as they are to get Lewis back. Butt has been and will continue to be a huge factor as a team leader on the field and in the lockerroom. Everybody is expecting a monster season from him now that the offense has two full off-seasons under Harbaugh and company.
3. Chris Wormley DL (5th) - Wormley is a another returning player that already has a ton of quality experience on his resume and could've been a high draft pick this year. Just like Lewis and Butt, he is choosing to come back for one more season. He will be among the best defenders in the conference, and possibly the country. He will get a ton of attention from pro scouts and I would not be shocked if he was taken in the first round next spring.
4. Jehu Chesson (5th) - As the reigning team MVP, nobody saw a greater jump in productivity over the course of the last year than Chesson. He is one of the fastest players on the team that has always given good effort while blocking on the perimeter. He came alive as a receiver and a kick returner midway through the season and then he tore apart the Gators' vaunted secondary in the Citrus Bowl. More is now expected from him in his final campaign. Could he too be a top draft pick next spring? Yes, I believe he could.
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| Jabrill Peppers #5 |
6. Mason Cole OT/C (Jr) - Cole is the best lineman on the team and he can actually play all five positions up front. He has two years of starting experience at left tackle but he should be the next great Michigan center after moving there this spring. He should be a First Team All-Conference player before his career is over.
7. Ryan Glasgow NT (5th) - A former walk-on, Glasgow has a non-stop motor and he uses great technique to beat guys that are more athletically gifted than him. As soon as he went down with an injury the defense really started to suffer up front. He will be depended on as much as Wormley to be a leader on defense.
8. De'Veon Smith RB (Sr) - Smith is the returning statistical leader in the backfield for the second year in a row despite suffering some nagging lower leg injuries. If he can maintain optimal health he could finally rush for 1,000 yards and score double digit TD's. While he definitely won't beat many safeties in a foot race, he generally makes good reads and allows his blockers to do a lot of the heavy lifting. He is and will remain the starter.
9. Amara Darboh WR (5th) - Darboh was expected to be the number one guy last season, but Chesson kinda stole the show. That's not to say that he had a bad year or that he didn't have his own highlights. He actually did lead the team with 58 catches and he should have a big senior year. He should also be a mid-round draft pick too.
10. Erik Magnusson OT (5th) - Mags has carved out a nice niche as a tough, versatile lineman. As a fifth-year player he will be counted on to be a leader too. He has started 24 games at both guard and tackle over the last three years, so the experience is there for him to draw from. With a mistake-free year he will get drafted.
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| Taco Charlton #33 |
12. Drake Johnson RB (5th) - As one of the fastest and most experienced running backs on the roster, it will be hard to keep Johnson off the field. There is some young talent looking to make an impact right away, but they can wait a year while Smith and Johnson finish out their legacies with a bang. And while Smith is a big jack-hammer-type back, Johnson brings more finesse and speed. He is also a decent receiver out of the backfield. Don't be surprised if they both make NFL rosters someday.
13. Kyle Kalis OG (5th) - Kalis hasn't quite lived up to expectations as one of the top recruits in the class of 2011, but he hasn't been horrible either. I would just like to see a little more push along the front line from the right guard. He did improve over the course of the year and probably had his best game against Florida. He now has 28 starts to his credit so it's probably about time he put it all together for a dominant year from start to finish.
14. Ben Gedeon MLB (Sr) - Gedeon is a former four-star athlete that has been a primary backup since stepping foot on campus four years ago. He has garnered a lot of playing time and will now be one of the fulltime starters. The reports on him out of spring practices were very good, so there is a lot to be excited about with him next to Peppers.
15. Bryan Mone (RSo) - After sitting out the entire 2015 season with an ankle injury, Mone will be returning to have a huge impact on the D-line. If both he and Glasgow have injury free years it will be an uphill battle for most offenses to establish any kind of inside running game. Both guys are future NFL'ers.
16. Channing Stribling CB (Sr) - Has been getting reps in games since his freshman year and he should be 'the other starting corner' opposite Lewis. Stribling had a very strong spring and asserted himself back into the starting lineup. If he does take his play to another level and stay healthy there will be very little hope for the majority of Big Ten wide-outs against the Wolverines.
17. Delano Hill SS (5th) - With his younger brother now entering the mix out at corner as a true freshman, Delano needs to set the example as a veteran player at safety. He already has 13 starts to his credit over the last two years and the coaches are counting on him to have a good season as they move Peppers to LB.
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| Dymonte Thomas #25 |
19. Jeremy Clark DB (5th) - With multiple starts at both safety and cornerback, Clark brings a lot of experience to the table. At 6'4"/205lbs, he possesses the type of size to create matchup nightmares for offenses. He also runs a 4.4 forty. Whether or not he starts or is used primarily as a nickel player, it is of no consequence to us fans. He will be on the field a lot this fall and he will be a big-time contributor. He does have some pro potential too, which tells you a lot about the quality of depth on this defense.
20. Ben Braden OG/T (5th) - Another lineman that has two dozen starts but has not been too overwhelming for opponents...yet. At 6'5"/336lbs, Braden is surprisingly athletic and he could be a key player on one of the nation's best O-lines. A lot is riding on him performing at a high level in his 5th year and the coaches seem confident that he is taking that next step in his respective development. It's fair to argue that he should be bumped up this list a little bit, considering how much experience he has in the trenches.
Notable Mention:
Mike McCray II LB (RJr) - After being MIA for most of the past 12 months, McCray II is now my pick to have a break-out year in 2016. It is unclear exactly what type of player he will be for Michigan, but the little bit we have seen from the former four-star our of Ohio at least gives me some hope. He was heavily recruited and in 2014 was a top backup on the nation's #7 defense. He earned playing time in 11 games that year with one tackle, one tackle for a loss, and a blocked punt. Yes, that is minimal stuff, but it's a good sign from a guy in a limited role. All the reports on him this spring were positive and he topped it off by being the leading tackler in the spring game, including two for a loss. If he does indeed stay healthy he could team up with Gedeon and Peppers to actually form one of the best linebacking units this team has had in nearly two decades.
Top Role Players, Contributors, and the Best off the Bench:
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| Kahlid Hill #80 |
Kahlid Hill FB/HB - Will play a number of roles going forward, but he will primarily be a fullback/H-back role. Has shown good hands and some sneaky moves for a guy his size (6'2"/263lbs).
Grant Perry WR (So) - Should be the top guy in the slot and the number three receiver overall. He isn't the fastest guy on the field but he knows how to play ball. And that's all that really matters.
Maurice Hurst Jr. DT (RJr) - Could start for a lot of teams and will be one of the top backups along the DL who will get a lot of PT. He too had a monster spring game too.
Ian Bunting TE (RSo) - Did earn playing time in his second year on campus and looks like a top backup right now for Jake Butt. He is expected to contribute more this season and compete for a more prominent role next year.
Patrick Kugler (RJr) - Appears to be the top backup at guard and center heading into spring. If Cole has to play tackle Kugler will be the center.
Drake Harris (RSo) - Now that he 's gotten some experience on the field and has gone almost a year without injury, it could be a breakout year for the speedy and athletic Harris.
Mo' Ways (RSo) - Has made improvements each of the last two off-seasons and contributed quite a bit as a redshirt freshman. He will be a top backup at receiver if he recovers from foot surgery that derailed his spring.
Shane Morris QB (RJr) - Morris took a redshirt in Harbaugh's first year and was not considered a favorite to win the starting job going into spring. His arm is legit though, and he is a decent athlete that has surprisingly good quickness with the ball in his hands, so he could end up being one of the biggest surprises of 2016.
On the Rise:
 |
| Grant Newsome #77 |
Ty Issac RB (RJr) - As a fan, I wasn't particularly happy about Issac's fumbles early in 2015, so I wasn't that surprised when he got benched. He looks like he is in better shape though and the reports have been positive so far in the offseason. If he does in fact make a statement for himself this spring and summer there might not be enough balls to go around in the backfield for the freshmen.
Wilton Speight QB (RSo) - This big passer got some experience as the top backup last season, but he will face a lot more competition for any work this year. He did look like the best QB on the field during the spring game, so there is a chance he could be turning a corner in his development to win the job by September 3rd.
T.J. Weatley Jr. TE (RFr) - At 6'5"/290lbs, T.J. will take over where A.J. (Williams) left off in the blocking schemes. He looks like he is a little more athletic that Williams too, so he should get more looks as a receiver than his predecessor. Again, all the reports on him out of spring have been positive. Wheatley was the highest rated prospects that the Wolverines nabbed in the class of 2015.
Noah Furbush LB (RSo) - The Ohio native contributed on special teams in 2015 after redshirting the year before. He has put on nearly 25 lbs since getting on campus and the coaches have high hopes of him being a top reserve at linebacker this year, as well as playing on special teams. If he can get some good experience this year it would go a long way towards helping him prepare for a possible starting gig in 2017.
 |
| Tyree Kinnel #23 |
Rueben Jones LB (RFr) - This is one guy that is going to have to bake a little bit, but the former defensive end from the Sunshine State has a lot of the right ingredients to work with at linebacker. He has enough speed and hustle to chase ballcarriers and enough strength to grapple with blockers. He just doesn't quite know what he's doing yet in regards to playing linebacker. With some diligent coaching and continued hard work he could help the team with any depth issues this fall and then compete for a starting job in another year or two. He could be a very good special teams player right away so keep your eyes peeled for him on coverage teams in the fall.
Five Instant Impact Freshmen:
Rashan Gary DL - The number one player in the country is expected to at least be a top backup and garner lots of playing time this season. It will be a lot tougher to get on the field than most people realize, as the D-line returns lots of good talent, but there is very little doubt in anybody's mind that Gary will be out there a lot this season. He has displayed a quick first step and top end speed for a guy that brings a solid 6'4"/290lbs frame. He also showed good natural strength early on in high school and now is reportedly benching 375+lbs. Could he be a top NFL prospect in three years?
Devin Bush Jr. LB - Has displayed his quickness in the spring and brings some decent pop when making contact. He could be good enough to be a starter by fall, but he will probably have to settle for a backup role behind the starters. That is okay though, as the coaches like to rotate guys to try to keep the defense on the field stocked with fresh legs.Ben Bredeson OL - Although the staff hopes they can redshirt him, the numbers might dictate something else for Bredeson. There isn't very much depth along the line right now. So if Bredeson is as good of a prospect as we all think he is he could come in and instantly establish himself as the sixth or seventh best lineman on the roster much like Grant Newsome did last year.
Quinn Nordin K - Returning 5th-year senior Kenny Allen is solid and will get a lot of work as both a kicker and a punter. Nordin, who is the highest rated kicker that Michigan has ever recruited, should be good enough to help relieve some of the pressure. He could be the starting kicker so Allen can solely focus on punting, or vice versa. Either way, I am willing to bet that he plays as a freshman.
Khaleke Hudson LB/S - Hudson looks like one of the most underrated players in the country. He is a gifted athlete that seems to know how to really play football. I would not be shocked if he was the top backup at either SAM linebacker or at safety. I see him as the eventual successor to Peppers after he leaves for the NFL. Whenever that happens anyway.
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