Offense
Notable Losses: There’s no question that the offense is affected by losses, especially at skill positions. Running back De’Veon Smith, wide receivers Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson, and tight end Jake Butt are all gone. Meanwhile, there are also new faces on the offensive line for Michigan heading into 2017.
QB: Wilton Speight, junior (RS)
This is one spot that the Wolverines likely won’t replace, even if they’d like to. Wilton Speight beat out John O’Korn last season and should have to again this year, but also has young talent on the roster to compete with as well. Speight will surely have to elevate his play from a year ago, as the quarterback was unspectacular at best, but his knowledge of the system should serve him well in winning the starting job.
RB: Chris Evans, sophomore
HB: Khalid Hill, senior (RS)
There’s no real easy answer here as Harbaugh loves to use multiple backs in a rotation. In terms of replacing Smith as the top guy, however, Chris Evans should get the nod as the more complete player. Khalid Hill is more of a fullback/H-Back type, who will be deployed in a number of ways and schemes in the offense and should shine.
WR: Kekoa Crawford, sophomore
WR: Donovan Peoples-Jones, freshman
WR: Eddie McDoom, sophomore
Michigan will need this group to really step up in 2017. While Kekoa Crawford and Eddie McDoom saw time last season, they’ll be featured far more in the upcoming campaign. As for Donovan Peoples-Jones, I don’t see any way that the highly talented and touted incoming freshman will not win a starting job and serve as a big weapon for the offense.
TE: Ian Bunting, junior (RS)
Filling the hole left by Jake Butt isn’t an easy task, but Bunting will be in that pass-catching TE1 type of role. Harbaugh loves his Jumbo sets, so Bunting will get plenty of help from the likes of redshirt sophomore Tyrone Wheatley. However, Bunting will be the name you hear more than the latter.
RT: Jon Runyan Jr., sophomore (RS)
RG: Michael Onewenu, sophomore
C: Patrick Kugler, senior (RS)
LG: Ben Bredeson, sophomore
LT: Mason Cole, senior
Mason Cole, Ben Bredeson and Michael Onewenu appear to be locked into the starting roles at their positions, though the first two could potentially shift given what happens in fall practice. Patrick Kugler also has the edge to start, but Cesar Ruiz is a gifted newcomer that could usurp him. Then there’s the battle for right tackle that’ll take place this fall between Jon Runyan Jr. and Juwann Bushell-Beatty. It’s basically a coin-flip as to who wins it at this point.
AP: Ty Isaac, senior (RS)
As Michigan’s offense is anything but conventional in the modern era, Ty Isaac isn’t a conventional all-purpose back. With that said, you’ll see him frequently on passing downs given his prowess as a blocker, while he should also see the second most carries on the team behind Evans.