Michigan Football: Ranking 10 Best Wolverines from 2014 Regular Season

The Brady Hoke era ended with a thud, and Michigan (5-7, 3-5 Big Ten) is sitting at home during bowl season while archrival Ohio State is playing in the inaugural College Football Playoff. Meanwhile, the search continues for a coach who can make Michigan relevant again.

These are the 10 best players for Michigan this season. Some will return under a new coach while others will try to play football professionally. All played hard for Hoke but couldn’t win enough games to save his job.

All season statistics from mgoblue.com, official University of Michigan athletic department website.

RB De’Veon Smith

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De’Veon Smith entered the season at the top of the depth chart with fellow back Derrick Green. Both battled for carries until Green was lost midway through the season because of a broken collar bone.

Smith was the team’s leading rusher (108 carries for 519 and six touchdowns) while playing in every game this season.

He’s expected to return next season and compete with Derrick Green, Ty Isaac and Drake Johnson in a backfield that should be stacked for Michigan’s next coach.

WR Amara Darboh

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Amara Darboh filled the gap for Michigan that entered the season having lost key receivers to graduation.

Darboh (36 receptions for 473 yards and two touchdowns) was the team’s second-leading receiver and played in every game this season.

Darboh has two seasons of eligibility remaining and is expected to return.

RB Drake Johnson

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Drake Johnson (60 carries for 361 yards and four touchdowns) didn’t crack the starting lineup until late in the season, but he quickly made up for lost time.

Johnson brought an elusive quality to the Michigan running attack but injured his ACL playing Ohio State. It’s the second time he has injured his left ACL and will face another rehabilitation before playing again.

Johnson has two seasons of eligibility remaining and is expected to return.

LB Joe Bolden

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Joe Bolden was the team's second-leading tackler (102 tackles, 55 solo and two sacks). He had a great season teaming up with senior linebacker Jake Ryan while patrolling the middle of the Michigan defense.

Bolden has one final year of eligibility remaining and is expected to return.

DE Frank Clark

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Frank Clark (42 tackles, 29 solo and 13.5 tackles for losses) was a success story for most of the season for Michigan. He had overcome a rough upbringing and troubles off the field earlier in his career to become a top performer.

But Clark was dismissed from the team after a domestic abuse arrest prior to the Maryland game.

Clark had been projected to be a late-round draft pick prior to his arrest and has no college eligibility remaining.

WR/KR Dennis Norfleet

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Dennis Norfleet was a ray of sunshine in a season full of doom and gloom. Norfleet was second in all-purpose yards (651) and participated as a ball-carrier, receiver and kick returner.

His enthusiastic dancing during timeouts before receiving kicks was a crowd favorite.

Norfleet has one season of eligibility remaining and is expected to return.

QB Devin Gardner

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Devin Gardner (174-of-283 for 1,896 yards and 10 touchdowns) was voted as a team captain following the season. A polarizing figure for Michigan, Gardner played with grit and determination but turned the ball over too often (14 interceptions) and regressed as a quarterback during his career.

Gardner drew national acclaim for comforting Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett when he was injured and had to leave the game.

Gardner entered the season as a potential pro quarterback prospect but is now expected to play receiver. He has no college eligibility remaining and hopes to play in the NFL.

C Jack Miller

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

Michigan’s offensive line entered the season needing to redeem itself after being in a constant state of crisis during the 2013 campaign.

No player characterized the improvement of the line as a whole more than Jack Miller. Miller anchored the offensive line at center and proved to be a reliable and consistent performer as the group finally found consistency during the second half of the season. He was voted top lineman during the team’s awards banquet.

Miller has one season of eligibility remaining and is expected to return.

WR Devin Funchess

Al Goldis/Associated Press

Hopes were high for Devin Funchess when he entered this season as Devin Gardner’s top receiving target. His switch to the No. 1 jersey only raised expectations for the towering receiver.

Funchess (63 receptions for 733 yards and four touchdowns) was a second-team All-Big Ten selection and the team leader in receiving yards. He finished the season third in the Big Ten in receptions and seventh in the conference in receiving yards.

He had a good season but was hampered by a persistent leg injury that prevented him from living up to his vaunted jersey number.

Funchess has decided to forego his final year of eligibility and enter the NFL draft.

LB Jake Ryan

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Jake Ryan was the heart and soul of a strong Michigan defense, but it was not nearly good enough to make up for an anemic offense.

Ryan, an All-Big Ten first-team selection, led the team with 112 tackles (14 for loss, two sacks) and two forced fumbles. Ryan finished second in the Big Ten in tackles and sixth in the conference in tackles for loss. He was honored as the team’s MVP and best linebacker during the team’s awards banquet.

Ryan was voted a team captain for the season and has no college eligibility remaining.

Phil Callihan is a featured writer for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotations obtained firsthand.

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