The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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onstrating the high school quarter- back's mobility and versatility. 18. JOSH ROSS, R-JR., LB Ross played in four games a year ago, seeing action against the likes of Wisconsin and Alabama in the bowl game without losing a year of eligi- bility. He'll be counted on to step in beside McGrone to form the Wolver- ines' inside linebacking corps. Ross managed 18 tackles in those four games, and has 83 over the course of three seasons at Michigan. 19. GILES JACKSON, SO., WR Jackson proved one of the most electrifying Wolverines during his debut campaign in 2019. He man- aged nine catches for 142 yards — including a 50-yarder against Indiana — and a touchdown, and rushed 10 times for 69 yards and a score. But it was his 97-yard touchdown on the opening kickoff at Mary- land that really sparked attention. Jackson's role should grow in Gat- tis' offense this season, given the second-year Wolverine's speed and quickness. 21. RYAN HAYES, R-SO., OT Hayes is competing for the all-im- portant left tackle spot, a year after opening last season as the starter for the injured Jon Runyan Jr. This time around, Runyan is gone and Hayes could make the spot his own. He played in 12 games overall a year ago, earning Offensive Player of the Game honors against Middle Tennessee State. He competed in the biggest games of the year, including Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Ohio State and Alabama. 22. QUINN NORDIN, 5TH-SR., PK Nordin has found himself in a career- long battle to be Michigan's full-time placekicker, despite his obvious abil- ity. He earned back the job down the stretch last season, making some big marks along the way. He hammered home a pair of field goals against Ohio State, and then tied the Michigan re- cord with a 57-yard field goal in the Citrus Bowl against Alabama. He's someone who could have the outcomes of multiple games hanging on his strong right leg. 23. ANDREW STUEBER, R-JR., OL The mammoth (6-7, 334) blocker stood ready to challenge for a start- ing job a year ago, before a knee in- jury in fall training camp sidelined him for the year. Now with jobs wide open across the front, Stueber looms as a top candidate to grab one. He played in all 13 Michigan games in 2018, prior to sitting out last year, even making his first career start against Ohio State. Now he's looking for a full-time starting assignment. 24. ZACH CARPENTER, R-FR., C Several close to the program have cited Carpenter as the heir apparent to now-NFL performer Cesar Ruiz at center. He checks in at 6-5, 320, with the savvy, smarts and mean streak necessary to step into the void. Carpenter earned Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year notice in 2019, patiently waiting his turn while not seeing any game action. That fig- ures to change in 2020. 25. CHRIS EVANS, 5TH-SR., RB Speaking of waiting for an opportunity, Evans has done precisely that after three con- tributing seasons and one separated from the program. He's back after straighten- ing out what he referred to on social media as "academic issues" he was working through. Evans brings both experience and production to the table, given his 1,722 yards and 14 touch- downs rushing from 2016-18, along with 40 catches for 392 yards and a pair of scores. ❏ 20. JOE MILTON, R-SO., QB Milton has a chance to take one of the biggest jumps of all on this list, should he win the starting quarterback job. He wasn't helped by the cancella- tion of spring practice, but he's hitting the field now to demonstrate what he can do. Last year, Milton connected on 3 of 7 passes for 59 yards with one touchdown in four game appearances. He possesses the strongest arm on the squad, and will look to demonstrate his accuracy and touch is such that he could lead the 2020 crew. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL AUGUST 2020 THE WOLVERINE 25