Michigan football 2018: Starting lineup and depth chart projection
Defense
Notable Losses: The biggest loss for the defense will be defensive tackle, Maurice Hurst. He was a first round talent that slid due to a heart condition discovered at the combine. Hurst was the main disruptor on the line last year and opened lanes for linebackers to rush or drew double coverage making life easier for the defensive ends.
The next biggest loss is inside linebacker, Mike McCray. He brought a lot of leadership to the linebacker unit and his experience will be tough to replace. Outside of these two stars, most of the defense is returning from last season. The blend of experience and injection of youth will lead Michigan to be one of the top defenses in the Big Ten.
DE: Rashan Gary JR. Ι DE: Donovan Jeter SO.
DT: Aubrey Solomon SO. Ι DT: Bryan Mone 5th
NT: Michael Dwumfor JR. Ι NT: Lawrence Marshall 5th
DE: Chase Winovich 5th Ι DE: Kwity Paye SO.
Just in case you are already looking forward to the 2019 NFL Draft Rashan Gary is a must see prospect. He was a major factor for the Wolverines last year and will be crucial for success this year. Gary will be entering his junior year and is listed at 6’5” and 281 pounds.
Rashan Gary has every tool defensive ends need to be successful at the next level. It doesn’t get any easier for offensive line on the other side of the line as they will have to try to slow down Chase Winovich.
Winovich announcing he would return to Michigan for another year was a huge win for the program. Replacing Maurice Hurst in the middle of the line will be tough but Michigan is deep with talented players who likely will be heavily-rotated.
SLB: Khaleke Hudson JR. Ι SLB: Josh Ross SO.
MLB: Devin Bush JR. Ι MLB: Noah Furbush 5th
WLB: Devin Gil JR. Ι WLB: Drew Singleton SO.
Even with the loss of Michael McCray Michigan will be strong at the linebacker position. Devin Bush finished the year with just under 100 tackles and proved he is more than capable of leading the middle of the lineup. His return adds yet another tool that Don Brown can use to ruin the oppositions day.
On the outside the Wolverines will also be getting Khaleke Hudson back, Hudson led the Big Ten in sacks as a linebacker with nine total. Devin McGil did not see the field a lot last season only playing in five games but he will have a bigger role in 2018.
CB: Lavert Hill JR. Ι CB: Brandon Watson 5th
Nickel: Jaylen Kelly-Powell SO.
FS: Tyree Kinnel SR. Ι FS: J’Marick Woods SO.
SS: Josh Metellus JR. Ι SS:Brad Hawkins SO.
CB: Brandon Watson 5th Ι CB: Ambry Thomas SO.
If there is any weakness at all in this defense it is in the secondary. The group is not bad but it definitely is not up to the same level as the front seven. Lavert Hill is the team’s top cornerback and will be looking to build on a solid 2017 campaign. Hill will draw some draft attention as the season wears on. Tyree Kinnel and Josh Metellus are the stars at safety this season. Kinnel is entering his senior season and Metellus is just a junior. Both have the potential to be future NFL draft picks.
K: Quinn Nordin JR.
P: Brad Robbins SO.
PR: Donovan Peoples-Jones SO.
KR: Ambry Thomas SO.
Next: Ranking of college football's blue bloods
Not surprisingly Quinn Nordin is back as Michigan’s kicker. He may like to be called “Wild Thing” but there is nothing wild about his kicking. Nordin was consistent for his first season kicking in college. He only missed five field goals all season and just three extra points. As he grows at Michigan those numbers will only get better.
The return game was a lot less dynamic with Jabrill Peppers leaving but Donovan Peoples-Jones did well in his freshman year. A Peppers-like performance this season would help the Wolverines offense greatly with better field position to start their drives.