Crazy 4 Maize and Blue

2016 Edition Jourdan Lewis #26 1. Jourdan Lewis CB (Sr) - Lewis was my number one player coming back last year and he did not disappoint. His presence in the secondary is pivotal, as he presents a real threat to opposing passers. Honestly, there might not be a better corner in the country. He is a willing tackler who will come up to help in run support, but his real forte is coverage. Without him on the field the defense as a whole would look a bit different. He is also a very good kick returner and he genuinely looks for ways to contribute as a player. 2. Jake Butt TE (Sr) - Butt already ranks among the best tight ends to ever play at Michigan, and he could have been a second round pick in this year's draft. The team is privileged to have him back for his senior year, just as much as they are to get Lewis back. Butt has been and will continue to be a huge factor as a team leader on the field and in the lockerroom. Everybody is expecting a monster season from him now that...

With everything that went on this past season with the Michigan basketball team, it was honestly a nice surprise to still see them standing when the Round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament opened up last Friday. The team was left without any senior leadership on the floor with both Caris Lavert and Spike Albrecht both on the sidelines since December, but they still somehow managed to win 23 games. Juniors Zack Irvin and Derrick Walton Jr. did well enough upon being thrust into the role of  the veterans among a roster loaded with underclamssmen. In fact, Michigan sported the youngest roster in the Conference. And being the Optimistic Fan that I am, I won't hesitate to look to next season. So, here's the never-too-early roster report for the 2016-'17 season: Derrick Walton Jr. #10 Point Guard: 1. Derrick Walton Jr. (Sr) 6'1"/190lbs 2. Xavier Simpson (Fr) 5'10"/160lbs 3. Andrew Dakich (Sr) 6'2"/190lbs Outlook: With the range to hit the big...

2016 Willie Henry DT 6'3"/311lbs - Henry was one of my favorite Wolverines over the last three seasons. He can battle it out in the trenches and come up with big plays. He has had issues with injuries and probably made a good choice to come out early. Risking another injury could damage his stock, and after the season the Wolverine's had it is reasonable to think that it can't get too much higher. He has shown good production over the years but is just now turning 21, so there is a chance he is still has some room to grow as a player. He could go as high as round two, but with the quality of mid-round talent and overall depth at the position he could possibly slip all the way down to the fifth or sixth. Prediction: 4th Round Graham Glasgow G/C 6'6"/307lbs - Easily was Michigan's best and most consistent lineman over the last three years after making the team as a walk-on five years ago. He has a lot of work to do in regards to strength and technique, ...

The New Wolverines (by position) Grading System: 91-100 points - True "five-star", once in a generation-type of player with elite physical tools and brings a big-boy's game. These guys have a higher chance of contributing right away for most programs and could be close to being NFL-ready. 81-90 points - The top of the four-star athletes, these guys are generally highly coveted by most big-time programs and can usually find a role on a team very quickly. 71-80 points - This range of prospects consists of some of the four star prospects and upper echelon of the threes. These recruits have a high chance of being a contributing factor for most programs but may need a few years to develop. Believe it or not, most of the NFL is made up of guys in this range. Often, the guys that get these rankings are simply late-bloomers that need a little more time to grow. 61-70 points - This range of prospects are players that will most-definitely need some time to work on their gam...

A true luxury is an asset that creates great comfort and is naturally characterized by abundance and excess. In regards to the depth chart, a luxury would be a player that is not actually considered a starter, but is an active player in the two-deep who provides superb depth and starting capability from a backup position. These guys all have some starting experience and could probably be a true starter for most other football programs in the country. However, as luck would have it for us Wolverine fans, they are here to help make everybody breath easier, particularly in the fourth quarter when some fresh legs at a key position could seal the deal on a "W". 5. LB Desmond Morgan - Morgan is luxury to have because 2014 was suppose to be his final year, before he suffered an injury and received a medical redshirt. Now he has a fifth year of eligibility to use and Wolverine Nation could not be happier. He is one of the most experienced defenders on the team, having started...

Top Prospects on the Wolverine Hot List Five-Star DT Jordan Elliot Jordan Elliot DT (Houston, TX) - Although he is currently committed to Houston, Elliot appears to still have some interest in Michigan. He said he plans to visit in the fall on an official so anything could happen. The kid is a beast and is every bit as good of a prospect as Rashan Gary, if not better. If Harbaugh can get him to flip it would be a huge win in a raging recruiting battle that also includes Texas and USC as major players for his services. The Wolverines are not desperate for tackles right now, but it would be nice to score on a big one when given the chance. Besides, Elliot could play end on the strong-side if needed too. Rashan Gary DT (Paramus, NJ) - My second favorite tackle prospect but still one of the best overall, Gary would be a much welcomed addition to any draft class. A good defense always starts up front and you just could never have enough kids like this on the roster. Gary is still ...

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 ...