Leaders and Best, 2021 Addition

2021 Roster Rankings:

The Leaders...

1. DE Aiden Hutchinson (Sr, 6'5"/270lbs) - The defense completely fell apart once Hutchinson and Paye missed time with injury. There literally was no pass-rush for a three-game stretch after the team posted five against an experienced Minnesota line on the road. With a healthy Hutch coming back for his senior year before going off to the NFL, where he is projected to be a high draft pick, the team has a real veteran cornerstone to help build the defense around this spring. He has played against Ohio State. He has played against 'Bama. He has gotten his game to a high level. Can he help others around him achieve greatness? It's a lot to ask, but it's what leaders do. If he wants to truly be a Michigan great, then he needs to elevate those other players around him. 

2. WR Ronnie Bell (Sr, 6'0"/190lbs) - Yes, Bell only has one TD in the last two years, but he has led the team in receptions the entire time. Even with all that other talent that was there a year or two ago, he was still the top target on a down-to-down basis. Not Nico Collins. Not DPJ. Not Tarik Black or Giles Jackson. It was Ronnie Bell. He averaged over 15 yards per catch during the six games the team played in 2020 and he will be primed to be a leader in what will probably be his final season on campus. I am expecting 50+ catches and 800+ yards out of him. At least a half dozen touchdowns is expected too. We might even see him return more punts or kicks, but the team has a lot of younger talent that could man those positions.

3. RB Hassan Haskins (Sr, 6'1"/220lbs) - Haskins has emerged as the team's top performer in a talented running back room over the last two seasons. He just has a knack for knocking off large chunks of real estate, and he can do it in a variety of ways. He showed the most promise in 2019 and averaged over six yards per carry in 2020. He should be ready to help carry the load as a senior in 2021. As a fan I hope to see him getting the ball 15 times per game, both as a runner and a receiver. Yes, there will be a rotation in the backfield but I get the feeling it will be a lot different with new coach, and former Michigan great, Mike Hart leading the position group. Unless he just simply gets out-shined by the younger, more athletic guys behind him, Haskins could be the next 1,000 yard rusher in AA and a mid to late round draft pick next spring. 

4. S Dax Hill (Jr, 6'0"/192lbs) - One could argue that nobody was more disappointing as a play-maker than Hill was in 2020. Many fans, as well as the media, had very high expectations for him coming into the season. I would argue, however, that we got exactly what we should've expected considering he had yet to have any kind of offseason to develop as a player at Michigan. It really isn't fair to the kid to put that kind of pressure on him under those kinds of circumstances. It was kinda unprecedented. He also got injured in week one, which slowed him down for a few games before he started to find his groove a little more in the final three. Anyway, now that the team has somewhat returned to normal and he is entering his third season, we should expect a lot more growth from him. The word out of spring is that it was blatantly obvious that he was one of the best players on the field. I need to personally see more myself before I give him a bigger boost in these rankings, but he has risen a lot in recent months already. He should top this list next year if he isn't gone to the NFL already.

5. OL Andrew Stueber (5th, 6'6"/339lbs) - Believe it or not, when Steuber moved out to right tackle due to injuries, he actually performed better in pass protection than Jalen Mayfield - the top graded lineman by Pro Football Focus in the first two weeks of the 2020 season. He also was awarded an Honorable Mention by the Big Ten. Hopefully the fifth-year senior can have a healthy year ahead of him and raise his draft stock a bit, because the guy has loads of potential, literally. He isn't really one of the most athletic players on the line, but look for him to be a team leader and an anchor on the right side. He could move inside to guard again if he's needed there, but I believe he and Zak Zinter will combine for a brutal run-blocking combo on the right side. And if he's hungry enough, Stueber could help lead this line to B1G things in 2021. 

6. QB Cade McNamara (Jr, 6'1"/205lbs) - I've been all in on McNamara since last winter and I really liked what I saw from him in 2020. He appeared in four games, making one start. He only really played about six quarters worth of game time, but he threw for five touchdowns, ran for one more, and did not throw a single INT in any of the minutes he played. He was the savior during the Rutgers game having entered it with the team down by three scores already. His presence also immediately made a difference against the Badgers the week before too, though that was a little too late in the contest. He started out well against the Nittany Lions too, but he was never the same after suffering a shoulder injury early in the second quarter. He should be taking starter reps right away in fall camp after an MVP performance this spring, though freshman J.J. McCarthy will still be nipping at his heels. Harbaugh has to be happy with his QB situation right now. And anybody that disagrees can fight me. 

7. LB Josh Ross (5th, 6'2"/230lbs) - Ross has had a hard time catching a break the last two years. After emerging as a starter in 2018 he missed almost all of 2019 with a leg injury. Then the pandemic derailed the 2020 season in which the entire defense under-performed anyway. Now he returns as one of the top veteran players on a new defense that is in need of the type of leadership that he can provide. While he is not in the 'elite athlete' category, he is good enough to do just about everything from the middle of the field. Against Florida in the 2018 Peach Bowl he was the best player on the field for the Wolverines that day, so he has proven that he is capable of handling his duties at a high level. And with a big season he is hoping to raise his name into the second day conversation of next year's NFL draft. I really want to believe that he is capable of doing just that.

8. S Brad Hawkins (5th, 6'1"/215lbs) - Hawkins doesn't get a lot of attention but he led the team in tackles for the first few weeks of the season before suffering an injury against Rutgers. He also had a tackle for a loss and two passes defended on the shortened year. One could argue that nobody on the team was working harder on defense right up until the point he got injured in week four. I would at least argue that he should be a veteran leader on the defense in 2021. He isn't the most physically-gifted and he will get beat occasionally in coverage, but he has experience and is a willing and able tackler - both great characteristics for a strong safety. He might get picked on a little as teams could start actively trying to avoid some of the other defenders on the field, but he is tough enough and smart enough to handle his own and help the younger guys get acclimated to the college game. He should also get some consideration from nearly every NFL team in next year's draft. 

...and Best

9. WR Cornelius Johnson (Jr, 6'3"/205lbs) - This might seem like a stretch for a lot of folks, but Johnson is my top non-quarterback breakout candidate on offense. He flashed some great potential in 2020 and ended up as the second-leading receiver on the team with over 250 yards (in six games). We are going to see an increased role from him this year, and 50+ catches for over 800 yards is the goal, though he could get more. I think he could become the best receiver on the team this year, and possibly the best receiver Harbaugh and company have had in Ann Arbor up 'til now. He is sneaky quick, runs good routes, and has the necessary size and hands to make the tough grabs with defenders covering him. Could he be a surprise draft entry next winter too? I believe he very well could be if things go like I think they will for him. 

10. OG Zak Zinter (So, 6'6"/335lbs) - Offensive coordinator Josh Gattis referred to Zinter as their best lineman this spring after he got some starts as a freshman last year. The kid could be the best candidate to be the next great Michigan lineman. As stated earlier, he and Stueber could form a punishing run-blocking duo on the right side of the line, which is probably the most underrated position group on the team heading into the summer. I expect B1G things from them. Zinter could probably play any of the five positions on the line if needed.

11. DT Christopher Hinton (Jr, 6'4"/305lbs) - One of the top recruits to come to Ann Arbor in the last several years. Has nice size and the athleticism to play tackle or end, and he might just be strong enough to play the nose as well. He will be a starter and he should be on everybody's radar as a player with the potential to have a breakout year after showing some promise the last two. The team sure could use a big year from somebody on the interior of the D-line. There simply hasn't been any kind of dominance there since Mo' Hurst Jr. graduated. Coincidentally, Hurst didn't get noticed until after his fourth year and came back for a fifth. Hinton is just now entering his third and has already garnered a little attention from pro scouts, believe it or not. 

12.  TE Erick All (Jr, 6'4"/230lbs) - All is one of my other top players to have a breakout season on offense. He showed lots of promise in his first two years and should benefit immensely from having spring practices, finally. Having a quarterback that can get him the ball in a timely fashion will help reduce drops. Honestly, I just felt like All had to work too hard for balls after Milton would fail to hit the open window, causing some drops. All arguably played his best ball of 2020 when McNamara was at the helm, so I have high hopes the relationship will continue to grow and that All will develop into a real play-maker. 

13. OT Ryan Hayes (Sr, 6'7"/300lbs) - Hayes is not unlike a lot of classic Michigan tackles. He is tall and relatively athletic for a guy that weighs over 300lbs. He played tight end in high school and has been firmly entrenched in the two-deep for over two years now. He has started more than a few games already too, so he should be ready to step in as a full-time starter and help lead the O-line into the future. He just needs to stay healthy. 

14. CB Gemon Green (Sr, 6'2"/180lbs) - Green took a lot of punishment, particularly in week two against the Spartans. He legitimately got picked on, especially after he got flagged for PI a couple of times early on in the season. However, after he got beat up a bit he started to fight back and improve, ending the year on some definite positives. Overall, he only allowed catches on 39% of balls coming his way, which is very good. He also led the team with nine pass-breakups. He played his best game against Penn State's best receiver in week six. He was one of the few guys on defense trending up when the program pulled the plug on the 2020 season. 

15. WR/PR Mike Saintristil (Jr, 5'10"/185lbs) - Was reportedly beating out Giles Jackson for slot duties. Has flashed a lot of promise in practice during his first two years on campus with superb route-running and a knack for finding open spaces. He finally came out of the shadows a little bit more when McNamara came into the game against Wisconsin. Watch for this pair of third year players to hook up a lot on third downs this year. 

16. WR Roman Wilson (So, 6'0"/180lbs) - The biggest surprise on offense in 2020, Wilson had seven catches in the first two weeks against Minnesota and MSU. He then caught a TD in week three before fading out a little in the stat department. He seemed to do well in terms of blocking on the perimeter too, so there is a lot of hope that he develops into a big-time player very soon. He should be the top wideout in the mix behind Johnson and Bell, and he could get some work in the slot too. 

17. LB Michael Barrett (Sr, 6'0"/227lbs) - A former high school quarterback who showed real promise as a starter on defense in 2020. He will move inside to play next to Ross in the new scheme. They both could provide some real leadership and stability in the middle of the defense this season. Watch for Barrett to be all over the place in 2021, as in both defense and special teams. He should be among the top tacklers on the team. He could also be a surprise draft entry if the defense performs well enough. However, there haven been some grumblings about one of the younger guys beating him out for a starting inside position, so his situation might be more up in the air than I realized.

18. RB Blake Corum (So, 5'8"/200lbs) - Was a bit of a surprise as a freshman last season and we should be seeing more of him in the future. His strength, quickness, and low center of gravity make him hard to take down. He and Haskins could form a nice "work-horse" duo behind that massive offensive line. I am guessing that he will be near the top of this list next year. 

19. CB Vincent Gray (Sr, 6'2"/190lbs) - Say what you want about the secondary and all the troubles they had early on in the season. The truth is that when all things are considered it wasn't as bad as it appeared on the surface. Most people had stopped watching them play by the time they started to actually improve as a unit. Yes, Gray and Green both made some mental errors and racked up some penalty yards, but they did improve throughout the process and we began hearing Gray's name less and less as the season went on (a good thing). Another thing to note is that Michigan's pass defense went from dead last in the conference after two weeks of play (on top of leading the conference in penalty yards) to 5th place by week six. That is a good sign and I will take it as a bigger sign of things to come, especially for a secondary starting three new guys total and no spring to get them ready for a guy like Rashod Bateman, Michigan State, or Indiana. And since I have given every other excuse in the book for Gray, I should also mention the lack of pass rush after both Paye and Hutch went out with injuries. Improving up front will definitely help the guys in the back.

20.  OG Trevor Keegan (Jr, 6'6"/330lbs) - Took over the starting job at left guard during the Rutgers game and seemed to run away with it, IMO. He should be the full-time starter going forward, but there is actually a lot of competition for the job so it remains to be seen yet who plays. He brings a lot of size and talent to the table. He and Zinter could form a monster guard duo on the interior of the line to provide more push up front.

21. C Andrew Vastardis (Grad, 6'3/296lbs) - It is really hard to say how things will pan out for Vastardis this season. I is by all means capable of doing a decent job as long as the guys next to him hold up there ends of the bargain too. He is not naturally gifted but he knows how to work and could be a good leader. 

22. DE Taylor Upshaw (Sr, 6'4"/256lbs) - Listed himself as one of the best pass-rushers on the team. Outside of Aiden Hutchinson, he might have a good argument, but that's really not saying much if we are going on last season's results. Anyway, will the new scheme suit him better? I'd like to think so. He played a lot of end in a two-point stance in high school so this might be a good transition for him.

23. DT Donovan Jeter (5th, 6'3"/318lbs) - Might have just enough size and athleticism to fit right into the new scheme. He will probably be one of the three line starters up front whenever there is a 3-4 formation. He has experience and actually produced one of the biggest plays of the season on defense last year. Can he take his game up a notch? 

24. CB D.J. Turner II (Jr, 6'0"/182lbs) - The word out of spring is that he was working with the ones quite a bit. Appears to be a solid corner prospect that plays a tough game. He doesn't just rely on speed to try to win match-ups, but has rather worked on technique to gain an edge. We should see him on the field a lot this fall as the new coaches employ more sub packages. 

25. S R.J. Moten (So, 6'0"/213lbs) - Has apparently made some moves this spring and is close to being a starter as well. We did hear his name mentioned a little last year too, so perhaps the hype was real. Expect to see his name get called this fall. It's hard not to notice his size/speed ratio. Could pair with Hill to give the team its most athletic duo at safety in ages. 

Kicking Specialists: 

P Brad Robbins (5th) - The top punter in the Big Ten from 2020 (in terms of yards per punt) returns for one more season. He was an All-Conference Honorable Mention as a freshman in 2017 but suffered through some injury issues while giving way to Will Hart a little bit. Hart is gone now so all the duties will fall on Robbins, who is ultimately the better punter of the two anyway. Could he be good enough to get drafted? Probably not, but he should be on an NFL roster some day in the near future. 

K Jake Moody (Sr) - Never hurts to have an experienced kicker. Moody isn't the most powerful kid but he presents a solid option from anywhere in the red zone if the offense just can't quite punch it in for a touchdown. You just can't expect him to hit a 55-yarder at any point so the coaches might have to find another option for those long shots. 

Their Future Looks Bright: Younger Players Rising Up the Depth Chart:

OL Karsen Barnhart (Jr, 6'4"/300lbs) - A versatile young player who has experience at left guard and both tackle spots. He even started a couple games at left tackle after Hayes went down with injury and the O-line looked fine with him there. He should be a starter somewhere, but the problem is there are too many quality guys vying for jobs. If any of the guys at guard or tackle go down he will probably be first guy to go in off the bench. He is part of the reason Willie Allen isn't sticking around, as there was very little chance the transfer product would get any playing time.

WR/KR A.J. Henning (Jr, 5'10"/185lbs) - Was the top recruit on Michigan's board for the 2020 recruiting class. He did get some playing time as a frosh but he didn't make much of an impact. I am told that he has made big strides this spring. The team could definitely use his speed and run-after-the-catch ability to emerge and give the offense another layer. He could be the top kick returner too now that Jackson is gone. In fact, there have been some whispers about his emergence being part of the reason Jackson is now transferring. 

S Makari Paige (So, 6'3"/195lbs) - Was a bit of a surprise as a true freshman even though it was a bit of a trial by fire. If he improves and gains real confidence in his game then and Moten will be providing some real good depth at the safety position. 

Edge David Ojabo (Jr, 6'5"/250lbs) - I get the feeling that this kid is going to fit right into the new scheme and he could be a real threat to start opposite Hutchinson at the other edge position. The former soccer player from Scotland has the necessary size and speed to excel. If he doesn't get some starts this year I will be surprised. 

DL/Edge Mike Morris (Jr, 6'6"/276lbs) - I don't really know where he will end up playing but there have been rumors coming out of spring practice that he has made some gains and should be competing this fall for the starting edge spot opposite Hutchinson. 

LB Anthony Solomon (Jr, 6'1"/212lbs) - Looks more like a safety and can fly around the field. The rumblings from spring suggest he is one of the top backups on defense.

LB Nikhai Hill-Green (So, 6'1"/225lbs) - Has apparently won the coaches over this spring and solidified a spot in the two-deep. Should compete for a starting spot in another year though he doesn't appear to be quite as athletic as some of the other guys listed here.

LB Kalel Mullings (So, 6'1"/233lbs) - A fine athlete who played running back, receiver, and linebacker in high school. He also returned kicks. He should get some reps this season with hopes that he develops into a star in the near future. 

OT Trente Jones (Jr, 6'4"/305lbs) - The word is that he is close to being in that starting lineup. It's just that the guys in front of him are established veterans. He, Barnhart, and Allen could give the Wolverines a lot of real good depth on the line. 

DT Mazi Smith (Jr, 6'3"/305lbs) - Might be just the perfect fit at the nose if he can finally get comfortable with the college game. Got some experience in 2020 and could turn the corner any time now. 

DL Julius Welschof (Sr, 6'6"/286lbs) - Should be in the two-deep rotation on the line after getting his feet wet last season. It's a long road from a little football club in Miesbach, Germany to the FBS. 

TE Luke Schoonmaker (Sr, 6'5"/252lbs) - The former quarterback has all the traits of a solid college tight end. He has even flashed it on the field. This will be the year we see how far his development has come. 

CB Andre Seldon (So, 5'8"/175lbs) - The smallest of the defensive backs vying for a spot near the top of the depth chart. He looks like a future nickel corner. 

CB Jalen Perry (So, 6'0"/190lbs) - Got a little work as a freshman when some injuries piled up. Didn't work his way up the depth chart in spring but could be a future starter. 

Edge Braiden McGregor (So, 6'5"/260lbs) - Was a Top 100 prospect in 2020. I believe he will be a top backup on the edge and a starter there in the years to come. It sounds like he had a decent spring after spending 2020 recovering from knee surgery. Will the new defense suit his abilities?

OG Nolan Rumler (Jr, 6'3"/330lbs) - A big, strong Ohio kid that is currently playing second fiddle at guard. Hasn't lived up to expectations as a highly rated prospect yet but still has a couple years left to finally earn playing time. It sounds like he made some strides during spring practices and he could be on the verge of starting somewhere.

The Reserves:

Edge Gabe Newburg (Jr, 6'5"/265lbs) - Should be a top backup somewhere on the edge. Might not crack the two-deep with all the depth available at the position, but we should start to see him more in game situations throughout the year as the new defensive coaches search for answers along the way.

DT Jess Speight (5th, 6'5"/290lbs) - This former walk-on is not an exceptional athlete or anything. He has been a nice stop-gap player when needed though. He could get pushed out of the two-deep by some younger talent but his presence in the room is a positive as long as he doesn't need to be a starter out of sheer desperation. 

OG Chuck Filiaga (5th, 6'6"/335lbs) - Has all the traits a coach would look for a in a line prospect but has failed miserably when given a chance as a starter. Lost his job in week four last season and it doesn't look like he will retain it. Could be a decent backup with experience though as he hasn't yet entered the transfer portal, but I am betting that we won't really see him on the field again as he gets passed up on the depth chart. 

DB Sammy Faustin (Sr, 6'2"/200lbs) - Has bounced between corner and safety and wasn't able to secure a job in spring. Could get some work on special teams in 2021 but looks like a career backup in the secondary. My bet is that he transfers after he graduates next year. 

Edge Jaylen Harrell (So, 6'4"/235lbs) - Looks like a great candidate to contribute as an edge linebacker in a 3-4 some day. Is still young and learning but we have heard his name mentioned a couple times this spring and with the sheer number of guys working over there right now it's a good omen for him. By this time next year he could be the best pass-rusher on the team.

S Jordan Morant (So, 6'0"/210lbs) - Was one of the top-rated safeties from a year ago. Is still getting his feet wet in college but we should expect to see something from him in the next 12 months or so.

DT Jack Stewart (Jr, 6'4"/318lbs) - Was moved from the O-line over to the defense to help with depth. There hasn't been much news on his front but he looks like he could be a good gap-stopper at the nose tackle position.

CB George Johnson II (Jr, 6'0"/193lbs) - Has been shuffled around the roster a bit and still hasn't emerged as a threat to take a job anywhere. Is a decent enough athlete that looks the part. He just hasn't quite risen to the challenge yet. 

S Quentin Johnson (Jr, 5'11"/200lbs) - A very good athlete that hasn't yet quite grasped the college game enough to get ahead of anybody on the depth chart. With Paige and Moten climbing up into the two-deep Johnson might have to look for ways to contribute on special teams. 

CB Darion Green-Warren (So, 6'0"/180lbs) - Is a little buried on the depth chart at the moment but he should be primed to compete for a spot in the two-deep this fall after a spring of learning the ropes. He should be in the mix in the secondary next season though we should start to see him on special teams this fall. 

TE Mathew Hibner (So, 6'3"/233lbs) - Looks more like a fullback but is athletic enough to get downfield and run routes. Probably needs to keep working on the finer points of the position while getting up to speed in college so we probably won't see him much this fall. He could get passed up by a talented true freshman while he continues his development. He could switch over to defense to play the edge.

OT Jeffrey Persi (So, 6'7"/300lbs) - It's difficult for anybody to say where Persi's development is at right now but I'd wager that he is another year away from competing for any real work.

C Reece Attebery (So, 6'5"/285lbs) - Wasn't a very highly-touted recruit coming in and has already been passed on the depth chart by an early enrollee freshman this spring as he was nursing some sort of injury. Can he fight to earn the backup job if and when he comes back this fall?

CB/KR/WR Eamon Dennis (5'10"/180lbs) - Unfortunately for Dennis the only 'highlight' I've seen of him is when he got burned by a true freshman receiver and quarterback tandem in practice this past spring. He could become a decent special teams player and kick returner but I don't have high hopes for him ever being a starter or sub-package player. He could even move back over to wide receiver to help with depth there. 

RB Gaige Garcia (5'10"/205lbs) - It's unclear whether Garcia is concentrating more on football or wrestling, despite the fact that he is on a football scholarship. Either way, I don't expect to see anything from him for a couple years. 

Top Newcomers:

LB Junior Colson - Is one of the top linebackers coming out in this cycle. With his athleticism there is a good chance that the former wide receiver earns some playing time before the season is over. I am sure the coaches would like him to redshirt though, so don't expect to see him in more than four games. The Wolverines were lucky to have him in for spring ball, and I'm willing to bet his presence has caused some other older players to consider transferring. 

RB Donovan Edwards - Possibly the best overall running back in the country coming out of high school. Has speed and toughness. Should get reps early and often. The word out of spring ball has been very positive. "Difference-maker" was a term that was thrown during the offseason. 

QB J.J. McCarthy - One of the two or three best passing prospects in this cycle. He should quickly establish himself as the first guy behind Cade McNamara and could represent an immediate upgrade over Joe Milton or Dylan McCaffrey. 

DT Rayshaun Benny - The biggest surprise splash for the Wolverines on National Signing Day is good enough to work himself into the two-deep as a freshman this fall.

TE Louis Hansen - About as solid of a tight end prospect as one could ask for in any given recruiting cycle. He could come in and steal the top backup spot behind All.

C/G Greg Crippen - Enrolled early and competed in spring. Has already moved past Attebury for the top backup job at center. Could he beat out Vastardis for the starting job this fall? It's possible even if the Maize and Brew crew don't agree with me.

QB Alan Bowman - I don't actually expect Bowman to win the starting job over McNamara, and I don't really expect him to beat out McCarthy for the top backup slot either. I do think he adds a lot of ability to the depth chart though after the team lost two to the transfer portal in the last calendar year. 

Other Possibilities: 

DT Jordan Whitley - The Oregon State grad transfer who is a surprisingly athletic 6'1"/350lb. He could easily come in and compete at the nose tackle position, thus solving one of the biggest depth issues on the team.