Michigan Football: Nothing Can Happen to These 5 Players in 2012

Michigan has a number of players they simply can't afford to lose in 2012; however, the choices may not be as obvious as one might think.

There are a few under-the-radar guys that may not be huge names, but would be devastating to lose.

And then there are guys like Denard, who obviously need to stay healthy.

Here's a look at the five most important guys, and an explanation why.

5. Jordan Kovacs (RS Senior)

Jordan Kovacs is one of the most important guys on this team, both on and off the field. That's why an injury to him would be devastating.

Kovacs will likely be a captain, and the defense will need him on the field at all times. If he goes down, there is no clear safety behind him who could reasonably fill in.

Marvin Robinson has never seen extensive playing time, Josh Furman may be lucky to be around this fall and Jarrod Wilson will only be a true freshman. It could be a bit scary if any of these three had to start.

Kovacs just simply needs to stay healthy, and if he does, safety could potentially be a position of strength between him and Thomas Gordon.

4. Ricky Barnum (RS Senior)

I would not have had Ricky Barnum on this list a few weeks ago. However, with the departure of Rocko Khoury, center just became a whole lot thinner.

Barnum is all but guaranteed to start and will need to stay healthy—something he has struggled with his entire career. If he goes down, it would likely be Jack Miller—a redshirt freshman who has never played a snap in college—filling in.

Miller may be starting at center as early as 2013, but he needs the 2012 season to better develop his body and his game. It would be much better to ease him into the position than to play him before he's ready, and a Barnum injury would cause that.

That is why Ricky Barnum's health is so crucial to this team.

3. Fitzgerald Toussaint (RS Junior)

It would obviously hurt if Fitz Toussaint went down to injury, but it wouldn't be as bad as some might think.

We've seen what Denard Robinson is capable of without the help of a running back. Plus, we are finally seeing depth being built up at the running back spot, which something we haven't seen in a while.

Thomas Rawls would hopefully be capable of filling in if something happened to Toussaint, as Rawls looked good in a few blowouts last year. Plus, Justice Hayes will be seeing the field for the first time in 2012. And, of course, Vincent Smith is still around.

Toussaint definitely needs to stay healthy, but an injury to him wouldn't be the worst thing.

2. Denard Robinson (Senior)

Yes, having Denard go down to injury would be terrible, but would it really kill this offense?

I don't think so.

I think Devin Gardner could fill in and still run this offense very effectively. It is widely agreed upon that Gardner is the second-best athlete on this offense,—behind only Robinson—yet we just haven't been able to see what he is capable of.

People may not have been impressed with what they saw during the few snaps Gardner received at quarterback over the last two years, but you have to remember that he will only be a true junior in 2012, so he is still relatively young. Plus, seeing extensive playing time in 2012 would really help the 2013 Wolverines, as Gardner will likely have this offense all to himself.

Now, an injury to Robinson would be absolutely terrible, but I don't think it would be as bad as people think it would be.

1. Roy Roundtree (RS Senior)

Yes, having Roundtree here at No. 1 may be very surprising to some.

However, just imagine what an injury to him would do to the receiving corps; it would make an already thin group that much weaker.

Who would be that No. 1 receiver if Roundtree went down?

Jeremy Gallon? Jerald Robinson? Jeremy Jackson?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Roundtree is absolutely crucial to this offense, as the passing game at least needs to be potent to make defenses respect it. Having a productive and healthy Roundtree is arguably the biggest key to this Michigan offense.