The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1123063
30 THE WOLVERINE JUNE/JULY 2019 A thlon Sports released its projection for the final top 25 of the 2019 season May 23 and placed Michigan at No. 4 in the country. The only teams slotted above U-M were No. 1 Ala- bama, No. 2 Clemson and No. 3 Geor- gia, while six other Big Ten squads were also pegged inside the national rankings: No. 5 Ohio State, No. 14 Penn State, No. 16 Michigan State, No. 17 Nebraska, No. 18 Iowa and No. 19 Wisconsin. Notre Dame — who U-M will face Oct. 26 next season — was listed at No. 9. "Predicting the champion of the Big Ten East Division was one of the toughest picks for Athlon Sports this offseason," the publication noted. "A couple of factors swung this debate in favor of Michigan. [Former Ohio State head coach] Urban Meyer re- tired, the Wolverines have an edge at quarterback with Shea Patterson returning for his senior year, and most importantly, the game is in Ann Arbor this season. "Everything is in place for [head coach] Jim Harbaugh and Michigan to break through and win the divi- sion and claim a berth in the College Football Playoff in 2019." Athlon went on to note the Maize and Blue aren't without question marks heading into next year, how- ever, immediately pointing to the of- fense as a potential cause for concern. "Harbaugh is handing the play- calling duties to Josh Gattis — a first- time offensive coordinator — and Michigan is planning to go up-tempo and use more spread/[run-pass op- tion] looks to utilize Patterson's tal- ent," they explained. "A healthy [red- shirt sophomore] Tarik Black, [junior] Donovan Peoples-Jones, [junior] Nico Collins and [freshman] Mike Sainris- til form a deep group of options at receiver, and should benefit from the switch in offensive style. "The uncertainty surrounding [se- nior] running back Chris Evans' sta- tus for 2019 means the Wolverines need former walk-on [senior] Tru Wil- son, and [redshirt freshman] Christian Turner and [freshman] Zach Charbon- net to handle the bulk of the carries this fall." Finally, the outlet discussed the potential U-M's defense possesses in 2019, despite the fact it lost six starters from a 2018 squad that finished No. 2 in the country. "[Junior defensive end] Kwity Paye, [sophomore defensive end] Aidan Hutchinson, Central Michigan [fifth- year senior defensive end] transfer Mike Danna and hybrid [senior] end/ linebacker Josh Uche should keep the pass rush performing at a high level," Athlon opined. "[Junior linebacker] Josh Ross will get the first opportu- nity to replace [Devin] Bush in the middle of the linebacker unit, while this position group would benefit from a bounce-back season by [senior viper] Khaleke Hudson. "[Senior] Lavert Hill is poised to rank among the top corners in the na- tion, while [junior] Ambry Thomas is the favorite to fill the void left behind by David Long on the other side. In- coming freshman Daxton Hill is ex- pected to push for a starting job at safety." — Austin Fox ATHLON PLACES 15 WOLVERINES ON ITS PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM Athlon Sports released its four-team All-Big Ten preseason squad May 21, and 15 Wolverines made the cut, the most of any league member. Penn State had the next most with 13, while Ohio State checked in third with 11. The Maize and Blue was the best- represented program on offense, with seven players appearing throughout the four all-conference units. Senior quarterback Shea Patterson, junior wide receiver Donovan Peoples- Jones and senior left guard Ben Brede- son were all included on the first team, while junior center Cesar Ruiz and fifth-year senior left tackle Jon Runyan landed on the second tier. Senior right guard Michael Onwenu was a third- team member, with junior wideout Nico Collins rounding things out as a fourth-teamer. Five Maize and Blue defenders also made Athlon's list, with senior corner- back Lavert Hill and senior safety Josh Metellus tabbed to the top group, ju- nior defensive end Kwity Paye and senior viper Khaleke Hudson listed on the third team, and redshirt junior defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour checking in on the fourth squad. Michigan even had three special teamers make an appearance, which MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Athlon Tabs Michigan To Finish No. 4 In Its 2019 Projection According to Athlon Sports: "Everything is in place for Jim Harbaugh and Michigan to break through and win the division and claim a berth in the College Football Playoff in 2019." PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN