Breakout Projections

Defense:

1. Josh Ross - Hey, the proof is in the pudding here. Ross was a solid defender whenever he played as a sophomore last season and finished the year fourth in tackles (61) while mostly playing behind Devin Gil and Devin Bush Jr. He also had 5 tackles that went for a loss, a sack, three QB hurries, and two pass broken up. Expect most of those numbers to increase in 2019 because when he was given the opportunity to start in the middle against Florida he responded with 11 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss. He was pretty much the team's best defender in the game but it went virtually unnoticed because of the overall outcome of that shitfest. I am willing to say that he will easily surprise many fans while exceeding most people's expectations this fall. He won't be Devin Bush Part II. He is not that kind of athlete. He might not run a 4.5 forty but he is fast enough. He has flashed ability in coverage. Again, I don't think he is slow by any means, but what he lacks that elite level speed and quickness that Bush possessed, he might make up for in other ways. He should be a hard hitter with a bigger body to mix it up more against oncoming blockers. I already know of a few ballcarriers that will remember number #12 from the licks he put on them last season. By the grace of all that is holy, it might just be possible that the defense will benefit overall from his move inside.
2. Donovan Jeter - We've all heard his name get called out by everybody as a guy that is "cementing a spot in the starting lineup", per coach Harbaugh himself. Apparently he is starting at tackle with Kemp at the nose. Michael Dwumfour is out with an injury this spring so it is good that Jeter is rising to the occasion. By the time the season rolls around the team could have quite an exciting rotation inside at tackle. Hey, I've been saying it along and I still I believe the D-line is going to be more of a strength this year. There is just a boatload of talent in the coffers just waiting for an opportunity.
3. Luiji Vilian - Speaking on boatloads of talent, Vilain is a guy that stands out as an obvious candidate for a breakout season. Why? Well, first of all he was a Top 50 prospect coming out of high school two years ago with the raw elite-level athleticism that every coach desires in a recruit. Secondly, it appears he is finally healthy and has been a full-go this spring after basically sitting out the last two years. Everybody that has seen him says he looks fast and agile at a comfortable 6'4"/255lbs. Watch for him to help fill the void left by Chase Winovich and Rashan Gary this fall.
4. Vincent Gray - Coach says Gray is starting in place of an injured Lavert Hill this spring. That really isn't too shocking to me, but come September he will finally be making himself known to the rest of the conference. At that point he will probably be the nickelback and the top backup at both cornerback spots.  He will get a lot of playing time in every game this season as Michigan will look to matchup with today's college offenses. He will be a solid three inches taller and a slightly faster version than what Brandon Watson brought to the tbale last year. Hopefully that is most obvious against Ohio State. 
5. J'Marick Woods - It sounds like Woods, who stands at 6'3" and 210lbs, is nailing down a starting job next to Metellus. He might not garner the stats in regards to splash plays, but he could very well be one of the top tacklers on the defense when it's all said and done. I know the coaches would love to get some big licks out of him on receivers coming over the top and running backs trying to get to the perimeter of the defense. Teach them not to bring that ball in that area. They will start to hear those footsteps eventually. 

Offense: 

1. Tarik Black - Might be the best receiver in a group loaded with talent. Definitely was the best freshman of the group two years ago before suffering a couple of injuries. Both DPJ and Nico Collins are battling lingering injury issues this spring. He should benefit from some extra reps that often come at a premium in a loaded position group. And now might just be his time to shine, especially with a new shiny offense being installed. #speedinspace
2. Cesar Ruiz - Might already be the best player on the O-line. He certainly has an opportunity to cement himself as one of the best centers in the conference after making Third Team All-Big Ten in 2018. Can he overtake Wisconsin's Tyler Biadaz as reigning First Team All Big Ten Center? I believe so. 
3. Christian Turner - Everybody's "breakout candidate" this offseason as every Michigan fan wonders who will be the starting running back this year. He is nursing some injuries this spring but he should be a full-go this summer. Even if he doesn't start he should get a significant amount of carries early on to see how he handles it against Middle Tennessee and Army. Though, if the coaches really believe he is a star in the making they might wait until a week three trip to Wisconsin before they unleash him.
4. Nick Eubanks - The team's top deep threat out of the tight end position. He can use his 6'6" frame and sneaky speed effectively down the middle or along the sideline. He should benefit from the absence of Gentry and the implementation of a more uptempo offense.
5. Mike Saintristil - Well, this guy is no longer a secret after being on campus for nearly three total months. Both Gattis and Harbaugh have publicly praised his work out at receiver. He could be the guy that takes over for Grant Perry. By all accounts he is fast, runs solid routes, and Harbaugh says he blocks up and down the field whenever the ball is not his hands. It's hard to believe that a freshman could come in and penetrate the lineup that the team has at receiver but Saintristil is on his way to doing just that. If he does become a full-time contributor this fall then the Wolverines must truly have something special on their hands here. 

Top 10 Pro Prospects on the Team:

1. Lavert Hill
2. Nico Collins
3. Donovan Peoples-Jones
4. Ben Bredeson
5. Khaleke Hudson
6. Shea Patterson
7. Jon Runyan Jr.
8. Michael Onwenu
9. Josh Metellus 
10. Sean McKeon