Michigan Football: 2019 depth chart projections ahead of fall camp
Offense
Notable losses: Karan Higdon will be the biggest loss for the offense. He rushed for over 1,100 yards last season and was the definition of a bell-cow running back. Right tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty is another key piece, but Andrew Steuber took over for the last few games so that shouldn’t be an issue. An underrated player with fairly big shoes to fill is tight end Zach Gentry. Even though he never developed into the playmaker some thought he could be, he still had more than 300 receiving yards in 2017 and 2018 and would have been a perfect fit in the new offense.
QB: Shea Patterson, senior | Dylan McCaffrey, RS sophomore | Joe Milton, RS freshman
Patterson had a breakout season during his first year in Ann Arbor and after bypassing a chance to go to the NFL, Michigan football might have the best quarterback in the Big Ten. Last season, he threw for more than 2,600 yards and had 22 touchdown passes. He also ran for 276 yards and two touchdowns. Still, if he wasn’t held back by Harbaugh’s conservative offense, his numbers could have been even better. That won’t be an issue under Josh Gattis who will unleash Patterson and the offense.
RB: Christian Turner, RS freshman | Zach Charbonnet, freshman | Tru Wilson, senior
Running back might be the biggest question mark on offense. Turner showed promise last season in limited action with 95 yards on 20 attempts. He even broke off an explosive run in the bowl game against Florida but it was called back because he stepped out of bounds. Still, Turner should have the edge, although Charbonnet, a highly-recruited running back, can’t be discounted. Wilson will also have a role to play. He could even be the starter early on in the season. Wilson ran for 364 yards and averaged 5.9 yards per attempt in 2018. He’s also an excellent pass blocker.
WR: Donovan Peoples-Jones, junior | Cornelius Johnson, freshman
WR: Nico Collins, junior | Ronnie Bell, sophomore
WR: Tarik Black, RS sophomore | Mike Sainristil, Giles Jackson freshman
When it comes wide receivers, Michigan is loaded. The starters are all back from last season and Peoples-Jones, Collins and Black all have the talent to play in the NFL someday. Collins and Peoples-Jones combined for 14 touchdowns, while Black spent most of the year recovering from injury. Bell caught eight passes and scored two touchdowns as a freshman and should have a bigger role after the transfer of Oliver Martin, however, a trio of incoming freshman, Mike Sainristil, Cornelius Johnson and Giles Jackson could all make an immediate impact. When the Wolverines go with four wideouts, which it could to start, Sainristil will essentially be the other starter. Michigan football fans will find out soon what Gattis means by getting speed in space.
TE: Sean McKeon, senior | Nick Eubanks, senior | Erick All, Freshman
Zach Gentry could have played a key role for Gattis this season but he chose to pursue the NFL in part because of the harsh criticism leveled at him after a poor performance against Ohio State. Thankfully, the Wolverines have some quality replacements with McKeon and Eubanks, who both have a wealth of experience. All is the name to watch. He may see time at wide receiver too but like Sainristil, he stood out this spring.
LT: Jon Runyan Jr., senior | Jalen Mayfield, RS freshman
LG: Ben Bredeson, senior | Chuck Filigala, junior
C: Cesar Ruiz, junior | Stephen Spanellis, senior
RG: Michael Onwenu, senior | Nolan Rumler, freshman
RT: Andrew Stueber, junior | Jalen Mayfield, RS Freshman
The offensive line returns five players that started multiple games at their same positions as last season and Runyan, Bredeson, Ruiz and Onwenu were all recognized by the coaches or media as part of All-Big Ten honors. Stueber, who started the last few games of the season, will need to hold off Mayfield for the right tackle job in what will be a key position battle in fall camp.