Outside Looking In?: Scholarship Candidates To Not Make the Final Cut

1. DE/LB Rueben Jones (Sr) - One of the few players left from Harbaugh's first class in 2015 that only netted 14 players overall. Needless to say, Harbaugh was a little desperate to add depth with only a month to put a class together. Though Jones did have a couple other good offers, it's fair to say that Michigan reached a little bit here and settled for a guy that would have been much better off playing at FAU, USF, or UCF. And that's not an insult, as those are good programs too. But with all the talent that the Michigan staff has accumulated in the three classes that have followed, it has become a little crowded among the two-deep on the front seven of the defense. As I see it, Jones will need to have a monster showing on special teams in camp this summer in order to stay on the roster for the season. Best of luck to him, but his days of suiting up in Ann Arbor seem numbered to me. 
2. DL Ron Johnson (Jr) - A 2016 recruit from New Jersey, Johnson is still developing as a college player. He came to Michigan listed as a 6'4"/240lbs 4-Star defensive end and he redshirted his first season with the team. He was named Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week twice early last year (Indiana, Purdue), but hasn't really made any noise otherwise. The last I heard is that he was getting some reps at tackle in the spring, though he is still listed under 265lbs. That seems a little light for a tackle. My guess is that he will need more than just a showing as a scout teamer in order to keep a spot on the final roster. He will need to have a big summer with some big improvement and signs of him becoming a real option in the rotation up front some day soon. Otherwise, all the spots will get taken up by more talented younger players coming into the program.
3. WR/KR Eddie McDoom (Jr)  - A 3-Star prospect in the class of 2016 that has become a fan favorite, though it has been more for his name than actual production as a wide receiver. Yes, he is one of the fastest players on the team who gauged a few opponents on reverses as a freshman, but then teams figured out how to bottle him up. In two years he has yet to score a TD and he dropped a big one late against MSU that would've been a critical first down. The lack of decent QB play surely hasn't help, and he will get his chances to prove himself during camp, but I feel he could end up being an odd man out. The problem is that the starters appear to be set (Peoples-Jones and Black) and there are several guys, including a walk-on, that appear to be ahead of him on the depth chart. There is also a load of talent at tight end, which doesn't help when crunching the roster numbers. He could help earn a spot as a kick returner, but there are a few very talented guys ahead of him there too. It's his best chance though. If he doesn't find a niche soon he could be just outside the final roster.