Unfortunately, that help is probably not going to be there at some positions, starting with the offensive line. This is a group of players this season that wasn't exactly dominating defensive lines.
In the two-deep, all but one player were redshirted when they came into the program, indicating that none of them was talented enough to get early playing time. That one player is second-string freshman Ricky Barnum.
The other offensive linemen that were brought in last year who will be available next season all weren't good enough to even break from being redshirted. Elliot Mealer and Dann O'Neil were both four-star recruits that could contribute this season though.
In the current (2009) recruiting class there is only one total offensive lineman committed, Michael Schofield, a four-star recruit. Of the uncommitted prospects, the only guy four stars or better with any interest in Michigan (other than Marcus Hall, who is essentially a lock for Ohio State) is Taylor Lewan.
Even with picking him up, it is not going to be a great situation for the offensive line. The group is going to have a starting lineup that isn't exceptionally good with depth that is very weak. Even one or two injuries here are really going to hurt, and it's inevitable to have injury problems on the O-line.
The rest of the offense is a toss-up at this point. Minor did fairly well, and the running back position could be a bright spot next season. The receiving core was nothing special in 2008, and there are no studs coming in yet for 2009.
I admit that I don't know enough to really examine these positions the way I can look at the others. Still, there are enough athletes in the program that I expect this position to be decent to good, but not exceptional.
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