Michigan Football: 5 Freshmen Who Should Redshirt in 2012

Michigan obviously has a great group of freshmen coming in, but some of them will need time to develop.

There is no sense in playing a player that isn't ready, or who will be buried on the depth chart, so a redshirt is a good idea for some.

Here is a look at five freshmen Michigan should redshirt in 2012, as it will help the player in the long run.

Allen Gant (Safety)

Even though Michigan doesn't have much depth at safety, Allen Gant is a guy that should redshirt.

If the Wolverines need a freshman to see playing time at safety, Jarrod Wilson looks to be the guy. Plus, he enrolled early, so that will help tremendously.

Heck, Jeremy Clark might even have a better chance of seeing the field than Gant.

The fact is that Gant will just simply not see playing time on defense in 2012, and should redshirt.

It will really help him in the long run, as he could potentially be a player in years to come.

Drake Johnson (Running Back)

Some people will disagree with this one.

A lot of people think Drake Johnson has a high ceiling and will be a significant contributor for Michigan in years to come, but I just don't see it.

He needs to redshirt in 2012, as I just don't see any way he sees the field.

Fitz Toussaint is the clear starter at running back, but his backups are solid too.

Thomas Rawls just seems to be bursting with potential, and will hopefully see a bigger role in 2012. You also have Justice Hayes and Vincent Smith behind him.

I'd just be very surprised if Johnson did much in his career at Michigan. I hope I'm wrong, but I bet he never cracks the starting lineup.

Mario Ojemudia (Defensive End/Linebacker)

Mario Ojemudia is looked at as a "tweener" when talking about what position he'll play.

Regardless, he should definitely redshirt in 2012.

He could end up playing the same kind of position Jake Ryan is currently playing, and Ryan will only be a sophomore in 2012.

Thoughts on Ojemudia vary wildly. Rivals.com only has him as a 3-star, while Tom Lemming rates him as one of the better players in the country.

It is pretty hard to predict what kind of career Ojemudia has. The coaches should have him redshirt and allow time to develop his skills through.

Kaleb Ringer (Linebacker)

At least one freshman linebacker is likely to see meaningful minutes for Michigan in 2012, but Kaleb Ringer isn't likely to be one of them.

It helps that he enrolled early, but that still probably isn't enough to make him see the field.

Of the great group of linebackers the Wolverines brought in, Ringer is the lowest rated one.

A redshirt would really do him good, as fellow freshman Joe Bolden, James Ross and Royce Jenkins-Stone are all likely farther along than he is.

Tom Strobel (Defensive End)

Seeing how many defensive ends Michigan will have that are capable of playing, Tom Strobel would really benefit from a redshirt.

Yes, he is the highest rated player of the five on this list, but there's no reason to play him just for the sake of playing him.

Frank Clark, Craig Roh and Brennen Beyer are all ends that will be ahead of Strobel on the depth chart.

He will likely be very good a few years down the road, but just not yet as a freshman.