gschwendt
11-05-2012, 12:55 PM
I know everyone is excited for the upcoming season for Michigan. After ending the season on a moderately high note with both offense & defense clicking in their final two games, expectations are high for this season. Let's find out why (all ratings pre-offseason training).
Quarterback
Led by Junior QB Kevin Jones, the Wolverine offense saw sparks of greatness during the 2014 campaign. Now older and wiser, Jones looks to be a great leader for his team. Expect more responsibility to be on his shoulders to be the catalyst for this offense with even more of the offense going through him. Backing him up will be Redshirt Sophomore Bryce Weaver and Redshirt Freshman Michael Coleman. Weaver might sneak onto the field in some packages but expect very few snaps with the first team offense... this is Jones' team.
Player
Yr
OVR
THP
THA
SPD
AGI
ACC
BTK
ELU
CAR
Kevin Jones
Jr
85
90
84
89
85
86
77
86
81
Bryce Weaver
SoRS
78
87
77
89
78
87
73
44
90
Michael Coleman
FrRS
75
79
85
91
80
85
69
70
66
Halfback
Last year's season started slow in the running game while the offense attempted to find it's rhythm, that is until HB Jake Marks burst onto the scene. Marks didn't get his first start until Week 7, but he earned the job by rushing 22 carries for 153 yards in that game. From there out, he retained the leading role rushing for just under 1000 yards for the remainder of the season. Backing him up is a complimentary back in Tom Davis. Davis is oft compared to classic runningbacks like Christian Okoye or Tom Rathman with his bruising running game. Both Davis and Marks will be Redshirt Sophomores this upcoming season so the future looks bright. To round out the mix, Redshirt Senior Thomas Rawls is another bruising back to give Davis a breather and Redshirt Senior Zach Smith is a pure speed back that can find the edge and run. Two players expected to redshirt this upcoming season are Sophomore Andrew Childs and incoming Freshman Reggie Stallings, both will be ready to fill the holes left by Rawls and Smith next season.
Player
Yr
OVR
SPD
AGI
ACC
BTK
TRK
ELU
CAR
SPM
JKM
Jake Marks
SoRS
82
92
87
92
80
73
88
69
85
80
Tom Davis
SoRS
83
90
84
89
82
88
70
75
89
87
Thomas Rawls
SrRS
88
88
82
93
85
89
73
87
84
84
Zach Smith
SrRS
78
96
79
88
76
51
79
82
58
75
Andrew Childs
So
72
95
87
87
67
55
92
72
78
95
Reggie Stallings
Fr
80
90
90
92
77
92
61
76
74
72
Fullback
While Michigan rarely lines up in a tradition I-Form set, the fullback is still a very important role in the Wolverine's offense as a critical blocker. Sophomore Kellen Smith filled that role quite well last year as a lead blocker. His toughness and tenacity helps clear holes for Marks and company to find room to run. Competing with Smith for the starting job will be Redshirt Freshman Andrew Johnson (no relation). Both are quite adept at opening holes in the blocking game, however Johnson adds an ability to catch passes out of the backfield that Smith doesn't quite have. Moving over to the Fullback position will be Sophomore Colby Melton. Melton was determined to be undersized in the passing game and while his blocking abilities don't quite matchup to Smith or Johnson, his running abilities add an extra dimension.
Player
Yr
OVR
SPD
STR
PBK
RBK
IBL
Kellen Smith
So
69
61
84
76
75
71
Andrew Johnson
FrRS
70
70
74
75
71
75
Colby Melton
So
68
87
72
61
65
55
Wide Receiver
Receiver has been a mixed bag for the Wolverines as far as what they contribute. While mostly they are just simply relief from the running game, later in the season they were found to be catching passes more and more often. The leading returner at WR is Redshirt Senior Jonathan Keizer, a tall lanky possession receiver on the outside. Opposite him will be Redshirt Junior Justin Austin, another possession receiver with the ability to make great catches and break a tackle or two along the way. Rounding out the starters is slot WR Redshirt Senior Justice Hayes, a former HB that has the speed and agility to make him a dangerous threat once he has the ball in his hands. Behind them will be Sophomore Tim Pittman (known for his game winning catch in the Cotton Bowl), and moving from CB will be Redshirt Sophomore Brandon Thompson who like Hayes, adds a compliment of speed and athleticism. A footnote is also required of Redshirt Junior Bo Thomas as his height and speed make him hard to overlook but his catching abilities aren't quite what they should be. If he can learn to catch the ball, he'll find a role on the roster.
Player
Yr
Ht
OVR
SPD
AGI
ACC
CTH
SPC
CIT
RTE
REL
Jonathan Keizer
SrRS
6'5
84
87
83
90
83
72
85
89
83
Justin Austin
JrRS
6'1
82
84
84
84
79
90
87
89
86
Justice Hayes
SrRS
5'10
84
94
92
97
78
73
70
79
79
Tim Pittman
So
6'1
79
87
78
88
85
80
83
88
73
Brandon Thompson
SoRS
6'0
76
92
92
91
74
77
77
68
64
Tom Simmons
JrRS
5'11
78
90
79
91
78
70
70
78
78
Bo Thomas
JrRS
6'7
72
95
80
78
65
75
70
79
71
Tight End
The Tight End for the Wolverines offers two distinct roles as the primary TE should be a blocker while the second TE should be a receiver. The Wolverines have had the perfect secondary TE on their roster from the start, Senior Devin Funchess. Funchess has excellent hands and good speed with just the right amount of blocking abilities. Complimenting him at the blocking TE will be Redshirt Sophomore Joe Maxwell who can catch some but is best known for clearing a path. Two incoming Freshman will compete for the third position on the depth chart with the other one redshirting; Eric Capps is more of a blocking TE but has soft hands for a person with his skillset while former ATH Frank Wiggins found his home as a receiving TE. Expect Wiggins to likely redshirt so that he can progress somewhat on his blocking abilities.
Player
Yr
Ht
OVR
SPD
STR
CTH
SPC
CIT
RTE
REL
PBK
RBK
IBL
Joe Maxwell
SoRS
6'5
77
82
71
66
78
73
73
72
75
76
69
Devin Funchess
Sr
6'4
80
87
73
87
82
79
86
82
69
67
66
Eric Capps
Fr
6'5
74
75
77
70
69
71
72
75
72
74
75
Frank Wiggins
Fr
6'5
72
90
70
77
70
67
87
75
60
63
71
Offensive Tackle
The Offensive Line only lost one starter and that was Left Tackle Kristian Mateus. Replacing him is expected to be Redshirt Sophomore Jeff Petty, however look for true Sophomore Jamil Lucas to get a serious look at that position. Returning at Right Tackle will be Redshirt Junior Blake Bars with his excellent pass blocking skills and his ability to muscle his way with defenders. Backing up Bars will be true Freshman Mike James, though he may get a serious look at Left Tackle due to his already developed pass blocking abilities.
Pos
Player
Yr
Ht
Wt
OVR
STR
AGI
ACC
PBK
RBK
IBL
LT
Jeff Petty
SoRS
6'7
274
79
88
59
89
82
85
88
LT
Jamil Lucas
So
6'5
311
76
81
63
90
81
80
82
RT
Blake Bars
JrRS
6'5
289
80
77
69
91
87
81
83
RT
Mike James
Fr
6'3
273
77
81
60
91
86
81
78
Guard
Michigan is solid with interior blocking and having two returning Senior Guards is a big boost to that. At Left Guard, Redshirt Senior Graham Glasgow is a prototypical road grater, clearing a lane for the Wolverine Runningbacks with great strength and run blocking technique. Opposite him will be fellow Redshirt Senior Chris Bryant whom even surpasses Glasgow's strength and matches his run blocking technique. Both of these two will be a big key to the Wolverine's running game. Providing relief and preparing for the future will be Redshirt Junior Kyle Kalis, Redshirt Freshman John Hunt, and Redshirt Sophomore Antonio Garrison.
Pos
Player
Yr
Ht
Wt
OVR
STR
AGI
ACC
PBK
RBK
IBL
LG
Graham Glasgow
SrRS
6'6
319
84
89
70
90
81
90
84
LG
Kyle Kalis
JrRS
6'5
322
80
88
62
89
78
87
78
LG
Antonio Garrison
SoRS
6'1
294
75
82
73
84
74
86
79
RG
Chris Bryant
SrRS
6'4
348
85
97
62
88
81
91
85
RG
John Hunt
FrRS
6'1
291
80
88
64
92
80
86
80
Center
Center also returns a stud blocker in the middle of the line with Junior Cornelius McCarthy starting for his 3rd straight year on the line. McCarthy is a balanced blocker in terms of abilities but is very capable at both pass and run blocking. While his height is quite shorter than most OL around the country, he uses his low center of gravity to his advantage. Providing a backup role will be true Freshman Trey Hall who comes in with very raw abilities and ready to take over for McCarthy after he graduates.
Pos
Player
Yr
Ht
Wt
OVR
STR
AGI
ACC
PBK
RBK
IBL
C
Cornelius McCarthy
Jr
6'0
301
89
87
69
91
89
88
83
C
Trey Hall
Fr
6'4
298
78
90
69
89
82
84
75
C
Jon Austin
Fr
6'0
295
67
78
59
80
75
76
71
Be sure to check mgoblue.com again later this afternoon for the defensive breakdown of the 2015 roster.
Quarterback
Led by Junior QB Kevin Jones, the Wolverine offense saw sparks of greatness during the 2014 campaign. Now older and wiser, Jones looks to be a great leader for his team. Expect more responsibility to be on his shoulders to be the catalyst for this offense with even more of the offense going through him. Backing him up will be Redshirt Sophomore Bryce Weaver and Redshirt Freshman Michael Coleman. Weaver might sneak onto the field in some packages but expect very few snaps with the first team offense... this is Jones' team.
Player
Yr
OVR
THP
THA
SPD
AGI
ACC
BTK
ELU
CAR
Kevin Jones
Jr
85
90
84
89
85
86
77
86
81
Bryce Weaver
SoRS
78
87
77
89
78
87
73
44
90
Michael Coleman
FrRS
75
79
85
91
80
85
69
70
66
Halfback
Last year's season started slow in the running game while the offense attempted to find it's rhythm, that is until HB Jake Marks burst onto the scene. Marks didn't get his first start until Week 7, but he earned the job by rushing 22 carries for 153 yards in that game. From there out, he retained the leading role rushing for just under 1000 yards for the remainder of the season. Backing him up is a complimentary back in Tom Davis. Davis is oft compared to classic runningbacks like Christian Okoye or Tom Rathman with his bruising running game. Both Davis and Marks will be Redshirt Sophomores this upcoming season so the future looks bright. To round out the mix, Redshirt Senior Thomas Rawls is another bruising back to give Davis a breather and Redshirt Senior Zach Smith is a pure speed back that can find the edge and run. Two players expected to redshirt this upcoming season are Sophomore Andrew Childs and incoming Freshman Reggie Stallings, both will be ready to fill the holes left by Rawls and Smith next season.
Player
Yr
OVR
SPD
AGI
ACC
BTK
TRK
ELU
CAR
SPM
JKM
Jake Marks
SoRS
82
92
87
92
80
73
88
69
85
80
Tom Davis
SoRS
83
90
84
89
82
88
70
75
89
87
Thomas Rawls
SrRS
88
88
82
93
85
89
73
87
84
84
Zach Smith
SrRS
78
96
79
88
76
51
79
82
58
75
Andrew Childs
So
72
95
87
87
67
55
92
72
78
95
Reggie Stallings
Fr
80
90
90
92
77
92
61
76
74
72
Fullback
While Michigan rarely lines up in a tradition I-Form set, the fullback is still a very important role in the Wolverine's offense as a critical blocker. Sophomore Kellen Smith filled that role quite well last year as a lead blocker. His toughness and tenacity helps clear holes for Marks and company to find room to run. Competing with Smith for the starting job will be Redshirt Freshman Andrew Johnson (no relation). Both are quite adept at opening holes in the blocking game, however Johnson adds an ability to catch passes out of the backfield that Smith doesn't quite have. Moving over to the Fullback position will be Sophomore Colby Melton. Melton was determined to be undersized in the passing game and while his blocking abilities don't quite matchup to Smith or Johnson, his running abilities add an extra dimension.
Player
Yr
OVR
SPD
STR
PBK
RBK
IBL
Kellen Smith
So
69
61
84
76
75
71
Andrew Johnson
FrRS
70
70
74
75
71
75
Colby Melton
So
68
87
72
61
65
55
Wide Receiver
Receiver has been a mixed bag for the Wolverines as far as what they contribute. While mostly they are just simply relief from the running game, later in the season they were found to be catching passes more and more often. The leading returner at WR is Redshirt Senior Jonathan Keizer, a tall lanky possession receiver on the outside. Opposite him will be Redshirt Junior Justin Austin, another possession receiver with the ability to make great catches and break a tackle or two along the way. Rounding out the starters is slot WR Redshirt Senior Justice Hayes, a former HB that has the speed and agility to make him a dangerous threat once he has the ball in his hands. Behind them will be Sophomore Tim Pittman (known for his game winning catch in the Cotton Bowl), and moving from CB will be Redshirt Sophomore Brandon Thompson who like Hayes, adds a compliment of speed and athleticism. A footnote is also required of Redshirt Junior Bo Thomas as his height and speed make him hard to overlook but his catching abilities aren't quite what they should be. If he can learn to catch the ball, he'll find a role on the roster.
Player
Yr
Ht
OVR
SPD
AGI
ACC
CTH
SPC
CIT
RTE
REL
Jonathan Keizer
SrRS
6'5
84
87
83
90
83
72
85
89
83
Justin Austin
JrRS
6'1
82
84
84
84
79
90
87
89
86
Justice Hayes
SrRS
5'10
84
94
92
97
78
73
70
79
79
Tim Pittman
So
6'1
79
87
78
88
85
80
83
88
73
Brandon Thompson
SoRS
6'0
76
92
92
91
74
77
77
68
64
Tom Simmons
JrRS
5'11
78
90
79
91
78
70
70
78
78
Bo Thomas
JrRS
6'7
72
95
80
78
65
75
70
79
71
Tight End
The Tight End for the Wolverines offers two distinct roles as the primary TE should be a blocker while the second TE should be a receiver. The Wolverines have had the perfect secondary TE on their roster from the start, Senior Devin Funchess. Funchess has excellent hands and good speed with just the right amount of blocking abilities. Complimenting him at the blocking TE will be Redshirt Sophomore Joe Maxwell who can catch some but is best known for clearing a path. Two incoming Freshman will compete for the third position on the depth chart with the other one redshirting; Eric Capps is more of a blocking TE but has soft hands for a person with his skillset while former ATH Frank Wiggins found his home as a receiving TE. Expect Wiggins to likely redshirt so that he can progress somewhat on his blocking abilities.
Player
Yr
Ht
OVR
SPD
STR
CTH
SPC
CIT
RTE
REL
PBK
RBK
IBL
Joe Maxwell
SoRS
6'5
77
82
71
66
78
73
73
72
75
76
69
Devin Funchess
Sr
6'4
80
87
73
87
82
79
86
82
69
67
66
Eric Capps
Fr
6'5
74
75
77
70
69
71
72
75
72
74
75
Frank Wiggins
Fr
6'5
72
90
70
77
70
67
87
75
60
63
71
Offensive Tackle
The Offensive Line only lost one starter and that was Left Tackle Kristian Mateus. Replacing him is expected to be Redshirt Sophomore Jeff Petty, however look for true Sophomore Jamil Lucas to get a serious look at that position. Returning at Right Tackle will be Redshirt Junior Blake Bars with his excellent pass blocking skills and his ability to muscle his way with defenders. Backing up Bars will be true Freshman Mike James, though he may get a serious look at Left Tackle due to his already developed pass blocking abilities.
Pos
Player
Yr
Ht
Wt
OVR
STR
AGI
ACC
PBK
RBK
IBL
LT
Jeff Petty
SoRS
6'7
274
79
88
59
89
82
85
88
LT
Jamil Lucas
So
6'5
311
76
81
63
90
81
80
82
RT
Blake Bars
JrRS
6'5
289
80
77
69
91
87
81
83
RT
Mike James
Fr
6'3
273
77
81
60
91
86
81
78
Guard
Michigan is solid with interior blocking and having two returning Senior Guards is a big boost to that. At Left Guard, Redshirt Senior Graham Glasgow is a prototypical road grater, clearing a lane for the Wolverine Runningbacks with great strength and run blocking technique. Opposite him will be fellow Redshirt Senior Chris Bryant whom even surpasses Glasgow's strength and matches his run blocking technique. Both of these two will be a big key to the Wolverine's running game. Providing relief and preparing for the future will be Redshirt Junior Kyle Kalis, Redshirt Freshman John Hunt, and Redshirt Sophomore Antonio Garrison.
Pos
Player
Yr
Ht
Wt
OVR
STR
AGI
ACC
PBK
RBK
IBL
LG
Graham Glasgow
SrRS
6'6
319
84
89
70
90
81
90
84
LG
Kyle Kalis
JrRS
6'5
322
80
88
62
89
78
87
78
LG
Antonio Garrison
SoRS
6'1
294
75
82
73
84
74
86
79
RG
Chris Bryant
SrRS
6'4
348
85
97
62
88
81
91
85
RG
John Hunt
FrRS
6'1
291
80
88
64
92
80
86
80
Center
Center also returns a stud blocker in the middle of the line with Junior Cornelius McCarthy starting for his 3rd straight year on the line. McCarthy is a balanced blocker in terms of abilities but is very capable at both pass and run blocking. While his height is quite shorter than most OL around the country, he uses his low center of gravity to his advantage. Providing a backup role will be true Freshman Trey Hall who comes in with very raw abilities and ready to take over for McCarthy after he graduates.
Pos
Player
Yr
Ht
Wt
OVR
STR
AGI
ACC
PBK
RBK
IBL
C
Cornelius McCarthy
Jr
6'0
301
89
87
69
91
89
88
83
C
Trey Hall
Fr
6'4
298
78
90
69
89
82
84
75
C
Jon Austin
Fr
6'0
295
67
78
59
80
75
76
71
Be sure to check mgoblue.com again later this afternoon for the defensive breakdown of the 2015 roster.