The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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44 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2021 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Michigan's depth chart will likely change before the opener, but here's where things stood after a few weeks in camp: OFFENSE Quarterback No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. Remaining 12 Cade McNamara 6-1 212 R-Fr./4 years 9 J.J. McCarthy 6-3 197 Fr./4 Note: Both quarterbacks were playing well a few weeks in, with McCarthy having improved dramatically since spring. McNamara remained a step ahead, though, with an outstand- ing summer and nice start to fall camp. Running Back No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 25 Hassan Haskins 6-1 220 R-So./3 2 Blake Corum 5-8 200 Fr./4 Note: Both backs have played very well this fall, arriving in great shape. Head coach Jim Harbaugh called them 1A and 1B at Big Ten Media Days, and it's played out that way early. Freshman Donovan Edwards will get some touches, too. Receiver No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 8 Ronnie Bell 6-0 192 Jr./2 85 Daylen Baldwin 6-2 219 R-Jr./2 Note: Bell is Mr. Steady and has had a very good camp, while Baldwin has been "really, really good" as a transfer, per practice observers. Receiver could be a team strength this year. Receiver No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 6 Cornelius Johnson 6-3 211 So./3 14 Roman Wilson 6-0 180 Fr./4 Note: Johnson was one of the two receivers who stood out most in the spring, according to offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, and observers say he was the best receiver in camp through the first two weeks. Wilson has the speed to beat people deep and might be the fastest of the bunch. Slot Receiver No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 5 Mike Sainristil 5-10 185 So./3 3 A.J. Henning 5-10 185 Fr./4 Note: Sainristil made a move in the spring, according to Gattis, and was very dependable — he's had a nice camp — while Henning continues to emerge. They and the others outside will be pushed by true freshman Andrel Anthony, who Harbaugh said makes at least one big play in every practice. Tight End No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 83 Erick All 6-4 245 So./3 86 Luke Schoonmaker 6-5 250 R-So./3 Note: All is a physical specimen. He's missed some time this fall, but he should be good to go and figures to be a bigger part of the offense. He's been catching the ball well in prac- tice, now he needs to continue it in games. Schoonmaker has been one of camp's pleasant surprises and has made a move, while second-year freshman Matt Hibner has also upped his game to earn Harbaugh's praise. Left Tackle No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 76 Ryan Hayes 6-7 307 R-So./3 52 Karsen Barnhart 6-4 307 R-Fr./4 Note: Harbaugh named Hayes as one of three starters early in camp. He's been solid. The coach also said it would be tough to keep Barnhart off the field; he's been good. He could play guard, as well, but needs to get a bit stronger. Left Guard No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 77 Trevor Keegan 6-6 324 R-Fr./4 66 Chuck Filiaga 6-6 337 R-Jr./2 Note: Keegan came on strong in spring and remains a step ahead. Filiaga, last year's starter, struggled in six games last season, but Harbaugh said he's really improved and had a good first week and a half. Center No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 68 Andrew Vastardis 6-3 294 6th-Sr./1 51 Greg Crippen 6-4 290 Fr./4 Note: Vastardis has held on to the starting job as the most experienced lineman on the team, but second-year frosh Zak Zinter has been working here, too. He'd likely be the guy in the middle if Vastardis faltered. Crippen, though, earned Har- baugh's praise as one of the 10 best linemen, having picked up where he left off in spring. Right Guard No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 65 Zak Zinter 6-6 320 Fr./4 70 Nolan Rumler 6-3 332 R-Fr./4 Note: Zinter is Michigan's best lineman and perhaps the Wolverines' best offensive player, Harbaugh said at Big Ten Me- dia Days. He's been a bit banged up, but they'll rely on him to anchor the line. Rumler is one of the strongest players up front and continues to progress. Right Tackle No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 71 Andrew Stueber 6-7 338 R-Jr./2 53 Trente Jones 6-4 307 R-So./3 Note: Stueber is Mr. Dependable up front. He's not the most athletic, but he gets every ounce out of his body due to his work ethic. He could slide to guard if Zinter starts at center. Jones had a great spring and came back strong in the fall after a good summer, having made a move to crack the two-deep. DEFENSE Defensive End/OLB No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 97 Aidan Hutchinson 6-6 265 Jr./2 91 Taylor Upshaw 6-4 262 R-So./3 Note: This has become a hybrid end/linebacker position in a 3-4 look in which the ends often play in a stand-up position on early downs. Hutchinson has been everything expected in the early going, while Upshaw has shown tremendous improve- ment in camp, per observers. Defensive Tackle No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 95 Donovan Jeter 6-3 325 R-Jr./2 THE WOLVERINE'S 2021 PROJECTED DEPTH CHART