Michigan Football: These 3 Seniors Need Solid Seasons

In 2010, Brendan Gibbons was the second-string kicker on Michigan's worst field-goal unit in years. Between him and first-stringer Seth Broekheizen, they could connect on a measly four of 14 tries.

Surprisingly, Gibbons emerged as a solid kicker last season, converting on 13 of 17 attempts, thus turning the team's weakness into a strength.

Michigan has a trio of seniors who must step forward this fall if the Wolverines intend to contend for the Legends and Big Ten crowns.

Wide receiver Roy Roundtree saw his production in fall from 72 receptions in Rich Rodriguez's final season, to just 19 in  2011. He's been moved to the flanker position in hopes of salvaging his career. 

Will Campbell, a massive 5-star lineman from Detroit, will get a chance to right his ship by starting the season at nose tackle. With the lack of depth in the defensive line's interior, Campbell's success is imperative. 

Then there's Ricky Barnum, who started three games at left guard early in 2011, before missing the remainder of the season due to an ankle injury. Barnum has since been moved to center in hopes of replacing David Molk, who's headed to the National Football League.  

Should any of these seniors come up short, they will be replaced by youngsters with little or no experience. 

Let's see how Roundtree, Campbell and Barnum might fare in 2012:

Roy Roundtree, Redshirt Senior Flanker

Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges isn't overly concerned with Roy Roundtree's lack of production in 2011.    

"Because we split time with him and Jeremy Gallon, Roy took some hits with his numbers," Borges told annarbor.com. "But going to flanker, a healthy Roy Roundtree could really have a good season. And out at flanker now, you get more balls thrown your way. I have no doubt Roy Roundtree will have a heck of a year."

With Gallon firmly entrenched at split end, Roundtree will have to perform, given Michigan's lack of depth at wide receiver. Redshirt sophomore Jerald Robinson is slated to be the primary backup, but he has yet to catch a pass at Michigan.

Drew Dileo (nine catches), and Jeremy Jackson (three) will also be in the mix with incoming freshmen Amarah Darboh, Jehu Chasson and Dennis Norfleet also getting some reps. There's even talk of moving backup quarterback Devin Gardner to a wide out. At 6'4", he'd make quite a target.

Will Campbell, Senior Nose Tackle

Will Campbell has reached the end of the line. This fall will be his last chance to prove he can actually play Division I college football. An imposing 6'5", 322 lbs. nose tackle, Campbell has just 19 tackles and two sacks as a Wolverine.

Coach Rodriguez tried Campbell on both offense and defense before coach Brady Hoke settled on defense, only.

A highly-regarded recruit, Campbell can salvage his career with a successful senior season. With little or no depth at the two tackle slots, it's imperative that Campbell comes through. And with the undersized Jibreel Black at the other tackle position Coach Hoke would hate to press true freshman Ondre Pipkins into service.

"You can't have a great defense if you're not strong up the middle," defensive coordinator Greg Mattison told ESPN. "We need that position to become very, very strong." 

Ricky Barnum, Redshirt Senior Center

With David Molk graduating, the logical choice to replace him at center was Jack Miller, a redshirt freshman from Toledo.  But the coaching staff saw another possibility. 

While Ricky Barnum recovered from his ankle injury, the coaching staff saw fit to try him at center. At 6'3", 292 lbs., Barnum outweighs Miller by nearly 30 pounds and has been around the program two more seasons. 

“Ricky’s come a long way for a position that he really hasn’t played very much,” U-M offensive coordinator Al Borges told the Detroit Free Press. “But I had mentioned to you guys before, I think from a profile perspective, Ricky fits that position better than he probably does any other position. He’s a smart kid that plays with good leverage, knows how to use the people around him."

Miller will most likely spend 2012 as Barnum's understudy, gaining size, strength and experience.