Michigan Football 2012: Predicting the Pre-Spring Two-Deep Depth Chart

With the recent completion of a glowing 2012 recruiting class and an outstanding beginning to the next one, Coach Brady Hoke can now concentrate on spring practice.

This fall's starting lineup will basically be decided from three weeks of drills and performances in the annual spring game. 

Hoke will finally begin to mesh the players he recruited to the offensive and defensive sets he’s attempting to run. 

Let’s take a look at how the depth chart looks going into spring practice and what changes we may expect in the future.

Quarterbacks

Despite the flak over his passing skills, Denard Robinson will be Michigan’s quarterback in 2012.

Granted, “Shoelace” saw his passing percentage drop from 62.5 to 55.0 in 2011, but with 4,931 career passing yards and 3,229 yards rushing, it is difficult to take the ball out of his hands.

In fact, Denard is already eighth on Michigan’s all-time rushing list and seventh in all-time passing yards, surprisingly just behind Tom Brady.

Hoke will use spring practice to work at limiting Shoelace’s interceptions while improving his ability to read defenses quickly.

You’ll probably see more of the diamond formation this fall, which featured Devin Gardner at quarterback and Robinson in the slot.

Look for Russell Bellomy to get plenty of snaps too, especially since his redshirt season is behind him.

Note: Previous starters are indicated in bold. There are nine returning starters on offense and eight on defense.

Quarterback

Denard Robinson: 6’0”, 195 lbs, Sr.

Devin Gardner: 6’4”, 205 lbs, RS So./Jr. 

Running Backs

It took seven games, but Fitz Toussaint finally earned the starting tailback job during his 170-yard performance against Purdue.

"I think he played tremendously," Hoke told annarbor.com "I think he had a great vision, balance and the most exciting thing was his burst out of holes."

When asked if the job was finally Toussaint's, Hoke added. "I don’t think there’s any doubt, I think he’s earned that opportunity."

After finishing the 2011 season with 1,041 yards and a 5.8 yards-per-carry average, the starting tailback job is definitely Toussaint’s to lose.

Sophomore Thomas Rawls will emerge as more than an adequate backup.

Look for Stephen Hopkins to start the season at fullback, and Vincent Smith to be featured as a third-down tailback, and possibly the starting slot back.

Fullback

Stephen Hopkins: 6’0”, 228 lbs., Jr.

Joe Kerridge: 6’0”, 231 lbs., RS Fr.

Tailback 

Fitzgerald Toussaint: 5’10”, 195 lbs., RS Jr.

Thomas Rawls: 5'10", 219 lbs., So.

Receivers

A disappointment in 2011, the receiver position will be a bigger question mark in 2012.

Lost due to graduation will be Junior Hemingway, Kelvin Grady and Kevin Koger. If that's not enough, Darryl Stonum was recently dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules.

After missing all of 2011 due to alcohol and probation problems, Stonum was expected to join Roy Roundtree and Jeremy Gallon as the only experienced wide receivers.

Roundtree and Gallon moved in opposite directions last season. Roundtree’s production dropped from 72 receptions in 2010 to 19 in 2011, while Gallon matured into a respectable receiver with 31 catches and three touchdowns.

Drew Dileo showed some versatility with nine catches and trio of fake field goals, but backups Jeremy Jackson and Jerald Robinson offer little experience. Look for freshmen Amara Darboh, Jehu Chesson and Dennis Norfleet to battle for playing time.

Ricardo Miller will challenge Brandon Moore at tight end with freshman TE/OT A.J. Williams and TE/WR Devin Funchess getting into the mix.

Wide Receiver

Roy Roundtree: 6'0", 177 lbs, RS Sr.

Jeremy Jackson: 6’3”, 198 lbs, Jr.

Wide Receiver

Jeremy Gallon: 5'8", 185 lbs, Jr.

Jerald Robinson: 6’1”, 206 lbs, So.

Slot Back

Vincent Smith: 5'6", 172 lbs, Sr.

Drew Dileo: 5'10", 172 lbs, Jr.

Tight End 

Brandon Moore: 6'5", 255 lbs, Sr.

Ricardo Miller 6'4", 234 lbs, RS So.

Offensive Line

Michigan loses both center David Molk and right tackle Mark Huyge from a line that wasn’t very deep. Taylor Lewan, Michael Schofield and Patrick Omameh return from the group that played with very little rest. It certainly didn't help that Ricky Barnum was hurt most of the season. 

Lewan, who had a nasty tussle with Michigan State's William Gholston last season, is expected to be among the nation's top linemen.

Another highly regarded lineman is freshman Kyle Kalis, who will get a long look at Huyge’s position this fall. It's rare that a freshman ever starts that quickly on the offensive line, so it looks like Schofield will move over from left guard.

Redshirt freshman Jack Miller is expected to win the open center position while Chris Bryant, Ricky Barnum, Elliott Mealer and Kalis will be the principal backups.

Left Tackle

Taylor Lewan: 6’8”, 295 lbs, RS Jr.

Erik Gunderson: 6'8", 312 lbs, RS Jr.

Left Guard 

Elliott Mealer: 6’5”, 315 lbs, RS Sr.

Chris Bryant: 6’4”, 341 lbs, RS Fr.

Center

Jack Miller: 6’4", 263 lbs, RS Fr.

Ricky Barnum: 6’3”, 292 lbs, RS Sr.

Right Guard

Patrick Omameh: 6’4”, 300 lbs, RS Sr.

Ryan Glasgow, 6'4", 265 lbs, RS So. 

Right Tackle

Michael Schofield: 6’7”, 299 lbs, RS Jr.

Kyle Kalis: 6'5", 305 lbs, Fr. 

Defensive Line

Michigan is looking for help here as Craig Roh is all that remains from the four-man defensive line.

Mike Martin, Will Heininger and Ryan Van Bergen will be sorely missed since very little experience remains. 

Here’s a good chance for a true freshman to start. 

Ondre Pipkins, a 6’2”, 320-pound 5-star recruit, will challenge Will Campbell, Quinton Washington, Richard Ash and Kenny Wilkins for one of the tackle spots. 

Frank Clark  will battle Brennan Beyer at weak-side end, while Jibreel Black and Keith Heitzman will back up Roh at strong-side end. Another pair of freshmen, Chris Wormley and Tom Strobel,  will fight hard for early playing time.

Weak-side Defensive End

Brennen Beyer: 6’3”, 225 lbs, So.

Frank Clark: 6'2", 228 lbs, So.

Nose Tackle

William Campbell: 6’5”, 320 lbs, Sr.

Ondre Pipkins: 6'2", 320 lbs, Fr.

Tackle

Quinton Washington: 6’4”, 302 lbs, RS Jr.

Kenny Wilkins: 6’3”, 280 lbs, RS So.

Strong-side Defensive End

Craig Roh: 6’5”, 269 lbs, Sr. 

Jibreel Black: 6’2”, 260 lbs, Jr.

Linebackers

Perhaps the deepest and most talented area of Michigan’s squad.

Kenny Demens, Jake Ryan and Desmond Morgan all return from banner seasons.

Brandin Hawthorne, who started five games before giving way to Morgan, also returns.

Adding to the depth will be Senior Mike Jones and redshirt freshman Antonio Poole. Early enrollees Joe Bolden and Kaleb Ringer along with true freshmen Royce Jenkins-Stone and James Ross will also contribute. Cam Gordon may move to offense this spring.

SAM 

Jake Ryan: 6’3”, 230 lbs, RS So.

Cam Gordon: 6’3”, 222 lbs, RS Jr.

MIKE

Kenny Demens: 6’1”, 248 lbs, RS Sr.

Mike Jones: 6’2”, 224 lbs, RS Jr.

WILL

Desmond Morgan: 6'1", 220 lbs, So.

Brandin Hawthorne: 6'0", 214 lbs, Sr.

Secondary

All four starters return to the secondary, which gained depth as last season progressed.

The group is led by former walk-on and All-Big Ten (honorable mention) selection Jordan Kovacs at safety and Blake Countess at cornerback. 

Kovacs, who’s always been a fan favorite, already has 266 tackles in his career. He needs only 31 tackles to tie Steve Strinko for 15th place on the all-time Michigan list.  

Countess won a starting job as a freshman in 2011. When Michigan goes to a nickel package, Courtney Avery will be the extra defensive back.

Cornerback

Blake Countess: 5'10", 176 lbs, So.

Raymon Taylor: 5'10", 169 lbs, So.

Cornerback

J.T. Floyd: 6’0”, 185 lbs, RS Sr.

Courtney Avery: 5’11", 170 lbs, Jr.

Strong Safety

Jordan Kovacs: 6’0”, 197 lbs, RS Sr.

Marvin Robinson: 6’2”, 200 lbs, Jr.

Free Safety

Thomas Gordon: 5’11”, 208 lbs, RS Jr.

Josh Furman: 6’2”, 208 lbs, RS So.

Special Teams

The new coaching staff has slowly begun to turn Michigan’s weakest link into a potential strength.

Brendan Gibbons rebounded from a disappointing 2010 season to shore up the kicking game.

Gibbons was successful on 13-of-17 field-goal attempts, including the 39-yarder to beat Virginia Tech in overtime.

Matt Wile took over the punting duties from Will Hagerup against the Hokies. He’s slated to keep the job when the 2012 season begins.

Redshirt freshman Justice Hayes and true freshman Dennis Norfleet will challenge Jeremy Gallon for kick return duties.

Punter

Matt Wile: 6’2”, 208 lbs, So.

Will Hagerup: 6’4”, 210 lbs, Jr.

Kickoffs

Matt Wile: 6’2”, 208 lbs, So.

Field Goals

Brendan Gibbons: 6’1”, 227 lbs, RS Jr.

Matt Wile: 6’2”, 208 lbs, So.

Punt Returns

Jeremy Gallon: 5’8”, 185 lbs, RS Jr.

Drew Dileo: 5’10”, 172 lbs, Jr.

Kickoff Returns

Jeremy Gallon: 5’8”, 185 lbs, RS Jr.

Dennis Norfleet, 5'7", 170 lbs, Fr.

Long Snapper

Jereth Glanda: 6'3”, 255 lbs, Jr.