Wolverine Roster Sleepers, '15

Channing Stribing #8

Channing Stribling CB (Jr) - At 6'2", Stribling has the length the new staff wants out at corner and an opportunity for him to get more reps just opened up with Blake Countess transferring out. The former three-star prospect showed some promise as a true freshman two years ago but suffered a bit of a sophomore slump in 2014. I left him off my list of leaders, role players, or best off the bench too, but I think he has the ability to have a surprisingly good season as a backup/role player and part-time starter. If this team truly wants to compete every week this fall it is going to need guys like Stribling answering the bell when it rings. And it WILL ring eventually.

Jaron Dukes WR (Jr) - I didn't include Dukes anywhere in my list of leaders, role players, or best off the bench either, but I am hopeful that he can make me wish I had. Although he dropped a couple passes in the spring game, he scored the game's only TD on a quick 15 yard fade route at the goal line. He also made a few nice grabs and, outside of Amara Darboh, Dukes looked like one of the team's best receivers on that day. If he has a good summer and cleans up the drops the 6'4" 205 lb Columbus product could break into the gameday rotation this fall. He should at least help the position run two or three-deep on the outside.

Brandon Watson #28

Brandon Watson DB (RFr) - Watson didn't come to Ann Arbor with a ton of expectations put on him by the fans and media. He was a three-star prospect out of school and the hope was that he would eventually develop into a good college player. After sitting out and taking a redshirt this past season, he seems to be developing just fine and made himself known with a decent showing in the spring game. He picked off Alex Malzone early in the game and held up his end of the bargain until the last whistle. With a good summer he could push himself into a contributing role somewhere in the secondary. At the very least, he looks like he will be capable of adding more depth to a position that needs it.

Terry Richardson CB (RJr) - After being considered a four-star prospect and one of the top recruits to come out of Michigan in 2012, you would think Richardson would come around eventually and display some of that god-given ability. So far we haven't seen much of it though, and except for a couple appearances on special teams he hasn't had his name called at all. The one big hump that he has seemingly had trouble getting over is his size and strength. He came in three years ago weighing 167 lbs soaking wet. Now he tips the scales at a whopping 174. Needless to say, he won't be covering the Big Ten's top tight ends any time soon. I do have good faith that he can bring enough to the table to help out in passing situations if other guys start missing time with injuries. He doesn't have to be a starter, a nickel, or even a dimeback. Just like the other guys on this list, he just needs to be ready if his number gets called, especially now that Countess is gone.

David Dawson #55

David Dawson OG (RSo) - The old coaching staff experimented with Dawson as the starting right tackle last summer but they eventually stuck with him as a backup guard. Dawson has all the talent and size (6'4" 310 lbs) to be a starter eventually, but he needs to stay focused and keep working on technique. He could break out at any moment and don't be surprised if he ends up as a starter before the season is over. Again, if this team truly wants to be consistent week in and week out it needs guys like Dawson to be ready to go on a moment's notice to fill in when a guy goes down. Then, he needs to be able to take advantage of the opportunity and make a name for himself.

Keith Washington CB/ATH (Fr) - The Prattville, Alabama product played QB in a run-heavy option offense in high school, and occasionally played cornerback on defense as well. He will move to defense full-time when he steps foot on campus this summer. By all accounts, Washington has the speed to burn (4.3 forty!) and the intelligence to learn a system as quick as anybody. If he can come in and add a little bulk in the weight room, avoid getting overwhelmed by the freshman experience, and prove he can make open field tackles he could work his way into the line-up sooner than later. I have no doubts that the coaches would like to put a redshirt on him, but it might be hard to keep him off the field if he does prove to be a superb athlete and a quick study.

Wyatt Shallman #33

Wyatt Shallman RB/FB (RSo) - The Maize and Brew did a great job covering the running backs in the spring game, and they did show why Shallman's stats were so low (12 carries, 22 yards). It wasn't for a lack of effort, or physical ability, but simply a matter of him not reading his blocks. Luckily, that's something that can be corrected and if he does indeed exhibit a little more patience before diving into the line of scrimmage he should get more consideration as a ballcarrier. The coaching staff played him a lot for a reason. They wanted to get more tape on him. It wasn't a great performance but it could go a long way towards him fixing some deficiencies in his game. Once he gets a handle on how to actually play the position, then his natural ability can be put to better use. We will definitely be seeing him on special teams and he will get an opportunity at some point to get some carries. What he does with them will go a long way in determining what happens next.

Sione Houma FB (Sr) - Houma's name hasn't been called out much throughout his career at Michigan, but he does have two starts (2012) and numerous game appearances on his resume. He appears to be a respected teammate and a good locker-room guy as well. He didn't play in the spring game (injury) so it will be interesting to see what type of shape he arrives in this summer. The hope is that both he and fellow senior fullback Joe Kerridge can provide some leadership on offense. Kerridge should be the starter with Houma subbing in and playing special teams. Their jobs on offense will mostly entail lead-blocking and pass-blocking. Occasionally we will see some sneaky pass-catching out of the backfield too. Before the season is over, Houma could very well play a strong, if silent role in the team's successes.

New Punter Blake O'Neill

Blake O'Neill P (Sr) - O'Neill set a school record at Weber State with a 44.1 yard average on punts. That would have been good enough for third best in the Big Ten last season as well. He also dropped 25 balls inside the 20, booted 18 more than 50 yards, and had one go 75 yards. He should do well in competing with Kenny Hill for the opportunity to replace Will Hagerup, who was our best offensive player last year. He is 6'2" 215 lbs and grew up playing Australian Rules Football (Rugby) in Melbourne Australia.

Note: In regards to the "star" rating system, it must be pointed out that half of the 32 first round picks selected in this year's NFL draft were former three-star prospects coming out of high school, including the second overall pick and Heisman Trophy-winner, Marcus Mariota. A 17th player was a two-star prospect (Breshad Perriman). Only seven of all the first round picks were rated as four-star prospects.

In the grand scheme of things, stars don't really mean shit.