The defending national champions return an insane D and some interesting talent on O, but there's a new coaching staff and there's no QB on the roster capable of winning a NC.
That said, the D should be so good next season that they should be able to make a run at a playoff spot now that there's 12.
The biggest question is what to do at QB, as the most talented player at the position is run-first Alex Orji (pronounced 'orgy' FYI). Other QBs on the roster include Davis Warren, Jack Tuttle, Jayden Denegal, and Jadyn Davis. Davis a true frosh and they're gonna throw a RS on him in all likelihood. Denegal doesn't seem to have a chance at the job. Tuttle is experienced and talented, but was injured for the spring game. Warren looked pretty good but has a pretty low ceiling. We'll see if Coach Moore and Co. wanna gamble on reshaping the offense significantly to build around Orji, or whether he'll continue to be a package-specific guy, and they give the reins to Tuttle/Warren. Either way, I expect them to hunt for a QB in the portal hard.
The next biggest question IMO is OL. Last year's OL was outstanding and deep, and most of them are going to get drafted this weekend. Gone are Zinter, Keegan, Nugent, Henderson, Jones, and Barnhardt. Wow. There's a lot of upperclassmen with real experience coming in behind them, and they did land an awesome transfer IOL from Northwestern in Priebe, but yeah, until the games start, I'll be worried about OL.
WR has some talent in Morris, Semaj, and Freddie Moore, but it gets real thin after that. I know Michigan is one of the worst premier programs for WR, but dayum I'd think they'd have a bit more talent than that.
WR concerns are mitigated a bit by the awesomeness that is the TE group. Loveland is primed for a Bowers-type year where he may be the #1 target. There's 3-4 guys behind Loveland that are all top notch recruits and have tons of potential. Bredeson is back as a blocking TE/FB too, but I doubt he gets a material amount of touches (1-2/game).
Also helping the WR issue is the fact that Donavan Edwards is a really really good pass-catching RB. I'm hoping Sherrone expands this part of the playbook considerably, as it's probably the easiest way to fix a lot of soft spots on this O (OL, QB, lack of WR). Khalel Mullings is very good and can do the tough between the tackles running, and there's 2-3 guys behind HIM that are also excellent.
On D, the DL is going to be a nightmare for every opponent and I think we're looking at the best unit in the country. Mason Graham is a first round pick, Kenny Grant is a giant that can move extremely quickly for a guy his size, Derrick Moore is my binky and is the perfect fit and talent for the anchor, and Josaiah Stewart was an absolute menace against OSU, Iowa, and in the playoffs. There's not nearly as much depth on the DL this year, but Rayshaun Benny deserves a shout as he will definitely rotate at the nose and is an established player.
I'm pretty excited for the LBs, as Hausmann really came on at the end of the year, and apparently Barham is the most athletic player on the D. Jimmy Rolder is a very talented player but just hasn't been able to stay healthy yet thru 2-3 seasons. Him doing so would provide solid depth.
Will Johnson is another surefire first round pick that matched up well against MHJ and Rome Odunze LAST year. Michigan is lucky to have him and I love watching him play.
Just last night, DJ Waller entered the transfer portal which is pretty shocking IMO. He was in a battle with 2nd year player Jyaire Hill for CB2. I'm irrationally hopeful that Waller might still come back, but WTF.
Safety was set to be a huge strength of the D with returning stars and upperclassmen Makari Paige and Rod Moore. But Moore tore his ACL early in spring and is out for the season. I'm so effin' sad for this guy, and I hope he rehabs like a mofo and gets drafted next April. Easily one of my favorite players from the D last season. Q Johnson returns from last season too, and while he wasn't the most consistent down to down, the guy came up with 2-3 of the biggest plays of the season down the stretch. Not a bad thing in the slightest to have him in the backfield. Jaden McBurrows is expected to take a starting role, and highly touted Zeke Berry (what a great footbaw name) should hopefully make some noise too. Expect Michigan to look for another CB in the portal if an upperclassman shakes loose and they can raise their floor.
The schedule is an absolute bear but I'm excited about that. Even if Michigan goes 7-5, getting to see Texas, USC, Washington (again lol), and Oregon during the regular season is awesome. OTOH, it's weird not to have PSU nor Wisco on the schedule. Yet, if that's the cost of getting rid of Rutgers (and to a lesser extent Maryland and Nebraska) I'm cool with it. Michigan visits Austin in a few years, and I'd love to see a game in Eugene and the Rose Bowl!
That said, the D should be so good next season that they should be able to make a run at a playoff spot now that there's 12.
The biggest question is what to do at QB, as the most talented player at the position is run-first Alex Orji (pronounced 'orgy' FYI). Other QBs on the roster include Davis Warren, Jack Tuttle, Jayden Denegal, and Jadyn Davis. Davis a true frosh and they're gonna throw a RS on him in all likelihood. Denegal doesn't seem to have a chance at the job. Tuttle is experienced and talented, but was injured for the spring game. Warren looked pretty good but has a pretty low ceiling. We'll see if Coach Moore and Co. wanna gamble on reshaping the offense significantly to build around Orji, or whether he'll continue to be a package-specific guy, and they give the reins to Tuttle/Warren. Either way, I expect them to hunt for a QB in the portal hard.
The next biggest question IMO is OL. Last year's OL was outstanding and deep, and most of them are going to get drafted this weekend. Gone are Zinter, Keegan, Nugent, Henderson, Jones, and Barnhardt. Wow. There's a lot of upperclassmen with real experience coming in behind them, and they did land an awesome transfer IOL from Northwestern in Priebe, but yeah, until the games start, I'll be worried about OL.
WR has some talent in Morris, Semaj, and Freddie Moore, but it gets real thin after that. I know Michigan is one of the worst premier programs for WR, but dayum I'd think they'd have a bit more talent than that.
WR concerns are mitigated a bit by the awesomeness that is the TE group. Loveland is primed for a Bowers-type year where he may be the #1 target. There's 3-4 guys behind Loveland that are all top notch recruits and have tons of potential. Bredeson is back as a blocking TE/FB too, but I doubt he gets a material amount of touches (1-2/game).
Also helping the WR issue is the fact that Donavan Edwards is a really really good pass-catching RB. I'm hoping Sherrone expands this part of the playbook considerably, as it's probably the easiest way to fix a lot of soft spots on this O (OL, QB, lack of WR). Khalel Mullings is very good and can do the tough between the tackles running, and there's 2-3 guys behind HIM that are also excellent.
On D, the DL is going to be a nightmare for every opponent and I think we're looking at the best unit in the country. Mason Graham is a first round pick, Kenny Grant is a giant that can move extremely quickly for a guy his size, Derrick Moore is my binky and is the perfect fit and talent for the anchor, and Josaiah Stewart was an absolute menace against OSU, Iowa, and in the playoffs. There's not nearly as much depth on the DL this year, but Rayshaun Benny deserves a shout as he will definitely rotate at the nose and is an established player.
I'm pretty excited for the LBs, as Hausmann really came on at the end of the year, and apparently Barham is the most athletic player on the D. Jimmy Rolder is a very talented player but just hasn't been able to stay healthy yet thru 2-3 seasons. Him doing so would provide solid depth.
Will Johnson is another surefire first round pick that matched up well against MHJ and Rome Odunze LAST year. Michigan is lucky to have him and I love watching him play.
Just last night, DJ Waller entered the transfer portal which is pretty shocking IMO. He was in a battle with 2nd year player Jyaire Hill for CB2. I'm irrationally hopeful that Waller might still come back, but WTF.
Safety was set to be a huge strength of the D with returning stars and upperclassmen Makari Paige and Rod Moore. But Moore tore his ACL early in spring and is out for the season. I'm so effin' sad for this guy, and I hope he rehabs like a mofo and gets drafted next April. Easily one of my favorite players from the D last season. Q Johnson returns from last season too, and while he wasn't the most consistent down to down, the guy came up with 2-3 of the biggest plays of the season down the stretch. Not a bad thing in the slightest to have him in the backfield. Jaden McBurrows is expected to take a starting role, and highly touted Zeke Berry (what a great footbaw name) should hopefully make some noise too. Expect Michigan to look for another CB in the portal if an upperclassman shakes loose and they can raise their floor.
The schedule is an absolute bear but I'm excited about that. Even if Michigan goes 7-5, getting to see Texas, USC, Washington (again lol), and Oregon during the regular season is awesome. OTOH, it's weird not to have PSU nor Wisco on the schedule. Yet, if that's the cost of getting rid of Rutgers (and to a lesser extent Maryland and Nebraska) I'm cool with it. Michigan visits Austin in a few years, and I'd love to see a game in Eugene and the Rose Bowl!
