In 2015, Michigan was screwed out of an opportunity to compete in the National Championship. In 2016, The Wolverines return most of the pieces of that team, just bigger, faster, smarter, and stronger. Let's take a look at the team to see how they shake out for the upcoming season.
Quarterbacks
Quarterback Kevin Jones returns for his senior campaign and learned from a 2015 season that saw a one loss team narrowly miss out on the national title game. In 2015, Jones proved he can do it all throwing for over 2500 yards and rushing for just shy of 600. Providing relief will be Michael Coleman and Bryce Weaver. Coleman's elusiveness and throwing accuracy put him just above Weaver, however as an upper classman plus the ability to always hold onto the ball, Weaver could challenge, especially depending on spring practice. Either way, the Wolverines have a trio of reliable QBs.
Pos Player Name Yr OVR THP THA SPD AGI ACC BTK ELU CAR QB Kevin Jones Sr 89 91 87 90 86 87 78 87 82 QB Michael Coleman SoRS 79 80 87 92 81 86 70 71 67 QB Bryce Weaver JrRS 82 88 80 90 79 88 74 45 91
Halfbacks
At Halfback, Jake Marks leads the way returning after a 2015 season with just over 1000 yards during the regular season to go along with 10 touchdowns. Marks is a fast yet bruising HB that can not only run between the tackles but also bust it outside to pick up extra yards. Behind him are backs that are more than capable to fill his shoes. First off the bench is Tom Davis... Davis is more of a between the tackles runner always able to pick up a few more yards after he's first hit. Freshman Reggie Stallings will be fun to watch as he hits the field for the first time. He's more like Davis in that he'll hit the hole and carry tacklers with him. Andrew Childs will fill the Slotback role for the Wolverines that will see him split out wide but also motion into the backfield to carry the ball, most of which will be outside runs to utilize his speed and elusiveness.
Pos Player Name Yr OVR SPD AGI ACC BTK TRK ELU CAR SPM JKM HB Jake Marks JrRS 87 93 88 95 85 75 92 73 88 83 HB Tom Davis JrRS 88 91 85 91 86 91 72 78 91 89 HB Reggie Stallings FrRS 80 90 90 92 77 92 61 76 74 72 SB Andrew Childs SoRS 76 96 88 89 71 57 95 75 80 97
Fullbacks
The Fullback in the Michigan offense is not a traditional blocking back. Sometimes the FB needs to line up as a H-Back, others he's lined up beside the QB to either lead block or even get a carry here & there. For the blocking role, both Andrew Johnson and Kellen Smith fill that slot, however each have their strengths. Johnson is a more traditional FB that can block but also catch a pass here & there. However, Smith is more like a Offensive Lineman that doesn't like to put his hand in the dirt, though when he gets the ball, he's able to run over players. Adding into the mix will be Doug Herron, a JuCo transfer that played Tight End. Herron's speed and running abilities lead to exciting possibilities for the Michigan offense. More than likely, in the end, only two will be retained.
Pos Player Name Yr OVR SPD STR BTK TRK CTH PBK RBK IBL FB Andrew Johnson SoRS 75 71 75 67 62 76 76 74 81 FB Kellen Smith SoRS 73 62 85 66 77 65 77 77 75 FB Doug Herron Jr 72 84 74 78 77 80 65 67 66
Wide Receivers
At the Wide Receiver position, Michigan isn't as interested in speed as they are just making sure their players can make the catch and keep the chains moving. Jonathan Keizer departs as the leading receiver and his 6'5 height is a significant loss. However, Justin Austin returns after nearly matching Keiser's contributions and is ready to lead the way for receivers with his excellent ability to catch the uncatchable ball whether it's thrown too high or thrown into traffic. Tim Pittman will be thrust into a starting role after contributing well in 2015; he also has the ability to make excellent catches and will be a player on the field that defenses will have to worry about. Rounding out the starters at WR will be Brandon Thompson. With his speed and athleticism, he fills the role that Justice Hayes was in 2015, that is a mix of a Slotback and Y-Receiver. Behind those three will be a mixture of players that aren't quite ready to be significant contributors. Perhaps the most intriguing is Senior WR Bo Thomas. Thomas' 6'7 height combined with top-level speed make him a player that just has to find a role in the offense. In 2015 he didn't have a large number of catches, however those that he caught were for large yardage allowing him to rack up 326 yards in a limited role which could expand further in 2016.
Pos Player Name Yr OVR Ht SPD AGI ACC CTH SPC CIT RTE REL WR Justin Austin SrRS 85 6'1 84 85 85 82 93 91 92 89 WR Tim Pittman Jr 83 6'1 87 79 89 89 83 87 91 76 WR Brandon Thompson JrRS 80 6'0 93 93 93 77 79 79 70 67 WR Tom Simmons SrRS 82 6'1 91 80 93 81 73 73 81 81 WR Sean Garrett FrRS 78 6'2 93 78 93 77 69 67 85 74 WR Bo Thomas SrRS 76 6'7 96 81 80 69 78 73 82 74
Tight Ends
At the Tight End position, Devin Funchess departs as the final starter, though returning TE Joe Maxwell started the beginning of the season. Maxwell lost his starting role due to Funchess receiving ability, however Maxwell's blocking abilities make him the clear starter in 2016. Coaches are hopeful that in spring practice, Maxwell's catching abilities will develop to make him a more well-rounded player. Backing him up will be TE/WR Frank Wiggins. Wiggins has exceptional ability to be a pass-catching TE but needed at least another year to develop his blocking skills. Wiggins will fill the gap that Funchess leaves open but has even more speed than Funchess ever did which will create significant matchup advantage against defenses. Backing them up will be Eric Capps who is more of a player similar to Maxwell with the ability to become a significant blocking tight end. Look for FB Doug Herron to also see some playing time at TE as needed.
Pos Player Name Yr OVR Ht SPD STR CTH SPC CIT RTE REL PBK RBK IBL TE Joe Maxwell JrRS 82 6'5 83 72 69 79 75 76 73 78 79 71 TE Frank Wiggins FrRS 71 6'5 90 70 77 70 67 87 75 60 63 71 TE Eric Capps So 74 6'5 75 77 70 69 71 72 75 72 74 75
Offensive Line
At the Tackle Positions, Jeff Petty and Blake Bars return as bookends that will only get better with another year under their belt. Petty is more well-rounded at the blind-side Tackle and uses his strength and height to dominate Ends. Bars is an excellent pass blocker and uses excellent footwork to keep in front of his defender. Inside, at the Guard positions, Michigan will have to replace two departing seniors that were monster run blockers. At both Guard spots, the Wolverines will have excellent run blockers with excellent strength; at the Left Guard will be John Hunt and the Right Guard will be Kyle Kalis. Returning at Center is Cornelius McCarthy. McCarthy has been a full-time starter since his Freshman year and returns for his senior year as the anchor in the middle. McCarthy really has no holes in his game as he has excellent strength excellent pass & run blocking, and has surprising agility and acceleration. Behind the starters will be a mix of players that are waiting for their chance to start. Most importantly though is the fact that Michigan coaches were able to sign four true freshman for the future of the offensive line.
Pos Player Name Yr OVR Ht Wt STR AGI ACC PBK RBK IBL LT Jeff Petty JrRS 83 6'7 278 90 60 91 84 87 90 LT Mike James So 77 6'3 273 81 60 91 86 81 78 LG John Hunt SoRS 84 6'1 300 89 64 93 82 89 82 LG Kevin Gray Fr 79 6'3 285 B 70 87 78 83 80 C Cornelius McCarthy Sr 93 6'0 304 89 69 92 92 91 85 C Trey Hall So 81 6'4 298 90 69 89 82 84 75 RG Kyle Kalis SrRS 85 6'5 324 90 63 90 81 91 80 RG Ryan Martin Fr 80 6'8 293 B 57 92 85 83 84 RT Blake Bars SrRS 84 6'5 291 79 70 93 90 83 85 RT Derek Edwards Fr 83 6'0 279 83 60 88 B 81 79
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Originally Posted by JeffHCross
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