Top Surprise Players for 2017

#35 Nate Shoenle

1. WR Nate Shoenle (So) - Former walk-on has been one of the most talked about players this offseason. Most people first heard about him after his breakout performance in the spring game. Runs crisp routes and possesses reliable hands. Has decent size (6'2"/190lbs) and is just fast enough. Works hard and knows what to do. Situational awareness seems to be great for a player his age. Harbaugh says he continuously grades out as the team's most reliable receiver. If he keeps it up, it might be hard to keep him off the field come game day. And if he keeps improving he could be among the team leaders in receptions by December. 
2. OL John Runyan Jr. (Jr) - Crowned the most athletic lineman in Harbaugh's combine event over the winter and played well in the spring game. Could be the starting right tackle against Florida in week one. He appears to have all the ability to handle pass protection duties against the strongside edge but he has been praised more for his run-blocking. He can get on defenders quickly and he can hit moving targets on the run. His emergence would be a godsend to a position that may have needed one. At the very least, his emergence will help provide depth. Was originally recruited by Hoke but signed on as a member of Harbaugh's first class in 2015. 

   

   #6 Keith Washington

3. CB Keith Washington (Jr) - Has been mentioned a couple times in the last several months as a player to keep an eye on moving forward and had a nice outing in the spring game. He deflected a pass deep downfield and made a couple nice tackles on running backs in the flats to help secure the perimeter. I'd say it looks like we have a strong candidate for one of the starting spots right here. He too was a member of Harbaugh's very first class but was one of the few that was exclusively a Harbaugh recruit. Was a 3-Star prospect out of Alabama who was committed to play offense at Cal before the offer came to play corner at Michigan. 
4. TE Nick Eubanks (So) - Had a solid spring overall and stood out in the spring game. The one drop he had may have been due to the utter shock in the fact that Brandon Peters had actually delivered the ball to that spot. I would bet on him making the catch next time. As much as he has progressed over the last year leads me to wonder just how high his ceiling really is in this offense. His emergence will help ease the loss of Jake Butt and Devin Asiasi. 
5. WR Mo' Ways (Sr) - A lot of attention is on the young talent now at the position, but Ways may be the more reliable target. And despite the fact that he only has five receptions on his career, the senior has gotten a lot of playing time in the past and has helped the team in a number of ways, including special teams coverage units and run-blocking. He will get a good shot at using his big frame (6'3"/205lbs) to his advantage in the passing game too. I wouldn't be shocked if he actually ends up being the team's leading receiver when it's all said and done. 
6. QB John O'Korn (5th) - I don't think most fans realize how lucky we all are to have this kid on the team. He was the top backup last year and he will be the top backup again, despite any rise of Brandon Peters. He is good enough to start. No, he didn't have a great showing in his lone start against Indiana last year, but the terrible weather obviously played a role in that one. O'Korn still threw two TD's and zero INT's on the season in mop-up duty and looked evenbetter in the spring. In fact, he kinda blew up the spring game with a few beatiful throws, including a sweet fade to freshman Tarik Black in the end zone for a TD. If he continues to make throws like that it will be tough to keep him off the field. And no matter how tempting it is to jump on the Peters bandwagon, all indicators are that Speight will start and O'Korn will be the backup going into the season. Knowing Harbaugh like I do though, I would not be too surprised to see all three get PT against the Gators.