MICHIGAN WOLVERINES
2013 College Football Preview
OFFENSE - 6
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 6
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Denard Robinson-QB, Roy Roundtree-WR, Mike Kwiatkowski-TE, Ricky Barnum-OG, Elliott Mealer-C, Patrick Omameh-OG
DEFENSE: Craig Roh-DE, Will Campbell-DT, Kenny Demens-LB, J.T. Floyd-CB, Jordan Kovacs-SS
OT Taylor Lewan
Defensive Backfield / Offensive Tackle

The nation's sixth rated pass defense has made great strides. Kudos has to handed out to this coaching staff for changing the fortunes in this department. The recruiting class here was phenomenal while Raymon Taylor and Thomas Gordon have a chance at being stars. The pass protection should continue to be stellar. Taylor Lewan passed on the NFL. Combined with Michael Schofield the Wolverines now have two monster-sized book ends on the OL.

Receiver / Pass Rush

The receivers are short on premier talent and should not scare too many defensive coordinators. Gallon is fine and Dileo has speed, but there isn’t any one receiver who can’t be erased by a good Big Ten corner. The sack numbers were low in 2012. With leader Jake Ryan out with a torn ACL somebody will need to desperately step up.

DB Thomas Gordon
 
MICHIGAN 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Devin Gardner-Sr Shane Morris-Fr (6-3, 183) / Russell Bellomy-So (6-3, 213)
FB Joe Kerridge-So (6-0, 244) Sione Houma-So (6-0, 229)
TB Fitzgerald Toussaint-Sr (5-10, 210) Derrick Green-Fr (5-11, 220)
WR Drew Dileo-Sr (5-10, 177) Jeremy Jackson-Sr (6-3, 206) / Amara Darboh-So (6-2, 213)
WR Jeremy Gallon-Sr (5-8, 187) Joe Reynolds-Sr (6-1, 200) / Jehu Chesson-RFr (6-3, 193)
TE Devin Funchess-So (6-4, 228) A.J. Williams-So (6-6, 265)
OT Taylor Lewan-Sr (6-8, 308) Kristian Mateus-Jr (6-7, 306)
OG Ben Braden-RFr (6-6, 314) Logan Tuley-Tillman-Fr (6-7, 285)
C Jack Miller-So (6-4, 291) Graham Glasgow-So (6-6, 303)
OG Kyle Kalis-RFr (6-5, 297) Joey Burzynski-Jr (6-1, 291)
OT Michael Schofield-Sr (6-7, 303) Erik Gunderson-So (6-6, 303)
K Brendan Gibbons-Sr (6-1, 240) Matt Wile-Jr (6-2, 215)
 
MICHIGAN 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Frank Clark-Jr (6-2, 277) Mario Ojemudia-So (6-2, 244)
DT Jibreel Black-Sr (6-2, 276) Willie Henry-RFr (6-3, 306)
DT Quinton Washington-Sr (6-4, 305) Ondre Pipkins-So (6-3, 308)
DE Keith Heitzman-So (6-3, 277) Matt Godin-RFr (6-6, 277)
SLB Brennen Beyer-Jr (6-3, 254) / Cam Gordon-Sr (6-3, 233) Jake Ryan-Jr (6-3, 241) (inj.)
MLB Desmond Morgan-Jr (6-1, 227) Joe Bolden-So (6-3, 222)
WLB James Ross-So (6-1, 223) Royce Jenkins-Stone-So (6-2, 215)
CB Courtney Avery-Sr (5-11, 174) Delonte Hollowell-Jr (5-9, 175)
CB Raymon Taylor-Jr (5-10, 186) Blake Countess-So (5-10, 181)
SS Jarrod Wilson-So (6-2, 196) Jeremy Clark-RFr (6-4, 201)
FS Thomas Gordon-Sr (5-11, 208) Josh Furman-Jr (6-2, 197)
P Will Hagerup-Sr (6-4, 227) Matt Wile-Jr (6-2, 215)
 
QUICK TAKES

 

  • All of the Brady Hoke signs are pointing for a better day in Ann Arbor. The recruiting has swelled to greatness, the defense is playing much better and the name Rich Rod (former head coach) seems to be well in the rearview mirror. However, Michigan has not won anything substantial yet and fierce rival Ohio State is still the one. The Wolverines are catching up but haven't caught up. Every year is crucial but this 2013 team is full of youth and the best days may require just another year of patience from the Big Blue faithful.
  • Outside of the youth movement the concerns are plentiful. There is a lack of depth, a void of elite receivers, an offensive line that must revamp at guard and center, a quarterback in Gardner who still may need another full season to reach his potential, a top running back Fitzgerald Toussaint is coming off a November broken leg and the team's top defensive player Jake Ryan tore his ACL during spring drills and won't be back until maybe October at best.
  • Tabbed as the nation's top dual-threat quarterback Devin Gardner was a Detroit high school star. The days of playing receiver with legendary Denard Robinson behind center are long gone. Gardner took over for an injured Robinson last season heading into the final five games showing he could throw the ball and now appears to be on the path to stardom. It's his team now but the nation's 94th ranked passing offense has some improvements to make.
  • Offensive tackle Taylor Lewan would likely have been a late first round NFL Draft pick but decided to stick around for one more year. The Wolverines now have a 6'8 left tackle to go with a 6'7 right tackle (Michael Schofield) - both returning starters. The pass protection should continue to be excellent.
  • Getting a pass rush was a sore issue in 2012. Now that sack leader Jake Ryan is out with injury someone will desperately need to pick up the slack. Experience is real short on the defensive line but there is plenty of upside with the talent and expectations.
  • This secondary didn't allow a 200-yard passer all season until the bowl meltdown. Much of that had to do with playing teams that weren't too nifty at throwing the ball. Nonetheless, the recruiting class here was phenomenal. Returning veteran starters Raymon Taylor and Thomas Gordon have the potential to be stars.
  • The Big Ten title drought won't end this season, especially considering that road goes through rival Ohio State. However a good chance exists to where Michigan can get to the Big Ten title game where anything can happen. Maybe a back-to-back rematch with said rival.

 

MICHIGAN 2013 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 - Central Michigan
Sept. 7 - Notre Dame
Sept. 14 - Akron
Sept. 21 - at Connecticut
Oct. 5 - Minnesota
Oct. 12 - at Penn State
Oct. 19 - Indiana
Nov. 2 - at Michigan State
Nov. 9 - Nebraska
Nov. 16 - at Northwestern
Nov. 23 - at Iowa
Nov. 30 - Ohio State