Michigan Football: Wolverines' Most Important Player at Every Position

Every team coached by Jim Harbaugh will rely on its quarterback. Every team. That’s just how it works with him: Star quarterbacks equal wins.

That mode of operation will continue this fall for the Michigan Wolverines, who have promise and potential but just about zero returning production at the most important rung on the ladder.

Harbaugh doesn’t have an Andrew Luck like he did with the Stanford Cardinal. He doesn’t have a Colin Kaepernick like he did while with the San Francisco 49ers, either.

But he does have Shane Morris, a junior who is the No. 1 quarterback until Harbaugh says otherwise. He also has an Alex Malzone, a true freshman and early enrollee who started opposite Morris during the spring game.

They’re important, especially in general terms. A team without a quarterback just doesn’t sound right. There has to be one, even if he’s temporary. That’s why Morris was named the starter after the spring game. However, there are some who feel that Zach Gentry, a 4-star recruit, has a good shot of competing for the starting position this fall.

Then there’s Jake Rudock, a senior transfer from Iowa—think about the rest of them for later, but the “now” is Rudock, who brings 25 career starts to Ann Arbor. In comparison, the Wolverines’ most experienced quarterback is Morris, who has all of two starts on his resume.

One was OK—that was his brief flash of adequacy during a 31-14 loss to Kansas State in the 2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. The other was not OK—and that was because of the concussion he suffered during a 30-14 home loss to Minnesota this past fall.

In 2014, Rudock threw for 2,436 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. Those aren’t spectacular numbers by any means, but they trump the alternative. Factor in that he has two years of starting experience to his credit, and Rudock begins to appear to be the ideal bridge between now and the next one.

There are arguments for others, but as it stands today, Rudock looks like the most important guy on the Wolverines roster. Remember—and this can’t be stressed enough—Rudock didn’t leave Iowa to carry a clipboard in Ann Arbor.

But who is the most important running back? Wide receiver? Defensive tackle? This slideshow will cover the most important player at each position based on a mixture of experience, ability and potential.

As always, feel free to discuss and debate the selections in the comments section.

RB: Derrick Green; FB: Joe Kerridge

This has to be the season for Green, it just has to be.

As a sophomore in 2014, Green, a former top-rated recruit, appeared to be heading in the right direction. Week by week, steps were taken. Week by week, confidence grew. But then he was stopped in his tracks—a season-ending broken clavicle suffered against Rutgers in Week 6 derailed the 5’11,” 234-pounder’s progress.

Now a junior, Green must either prove he’s the real deal and that his surge wasn’t a fluke, or make way for a flurry of incoming recruits. Green’s career numbers of 741 yards and five touchdowns are roughly half of what he could do in a season—or at least half of what most feel he could do in a season.  

The fullback may be in vogue this fall, so prepare for Joe Kerridge, a fifth-year senior wrecking ball, to shoulder the load. The 6’0”, 249-pounder has hands, too. Don’t rule him out as a pass-catching option.

WR: Amara Darboh, Jehu Chesson

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Amara Darboh (No. 82) could be Michigan's best down-field WR in 2015.

Well, if the quarterback’s the most important man in Ann Arbor—and Rudock is, without a doubt, the most important guy for Michigan—then the No. 1 receiver has to be the most important receiver overall. That’s simple enough, right?

At 6’2” and 216 pounds, Amara Darboh isn’t Devin Funchess, who previously played the role of Michigan’s 6’5”, 230-pound Megatron prior to skipping his senior year for the NFL. But here’s the thing: Darboh doesn’t have to be Funchess in order to be an asset in 2015.

As one of the Wolverines’ most experienced wideouts, Darboh, a redshirt junior, will be called upon to lead across the board. Whether it’s making plays or settling teammates, Darboh should prove to be Harbaugh’s leading pass-catching option.

In 2014, Darboh, who’s in line to be Michigan’s deep-ball specialist this season, caught 36 passes for 473 yards and two touchdowns.

Because of his versatility, Jehu Chesson is 1B to Darboh’s 1A. He’s actually appeared in more games than Darboh, too—24 to 23. Like Darboh, he also has seven starts.

The 6’3”, 207-pound redshirt junior will likely be an effective inside-outside option for passing game coordinator Jedd Fisch, who’s tasked with rebuilding the Wolverines’ aerial operations.

TE: Jake Butt

At 6’6” and 248 pounds, Jake Butt is a matchup nightmare. In terms of “big” targets, he could end up replacing Funchess in some fashion. They’re completely different players, however, Butt is just as capable when it comes to hauling in missiles across the middle or jump-balls in the corner of the end zone.

He just may not do it as prettily as Funchess once did.

A couple of ACL injuries have hindered Butt. With that said, he could get a new lease on life this fall with tight ends coach Jay Harbaugh, who is intent on transforming Michigan into “Tight End U.” The desire to reinstall the power tight end into the offense has never been greater in Ann Arbor.

LT: Mason Cole

Mason Cole isn’t just the most important left tackle, he’s one of the most important players on Harbaugh’s roster, regardless of position. In 2014, he started 12 games on the O-line—a first for a true freshman at Michigan—and was mentioned as one of the Big Ten's best newcomers.

At 6’5” and 287 pounds, he’s big. He’s also been praised for his agility, maturity and work ethic several times over. This past season, former coach Brady Hoke and former offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier couldn’t say enough great things about their youngster.

Cole is part of the big picture at Michigan, not just for the 2015 season.

LG: Ben Braden; RG: Kyle Kalis

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Kyle Kalis (middle) is running out of time to impact Michigan's O-line.

As of early June, Ben Braden appears to be Michigan's man at left guard and Kyle Kalis appears to be the guy for right guard.

Both were heralded recruits, both were supposed to morph into reliable starters and both are on the clock—they’re redshirt juniors who probably want to end their careers on the field, not on the sidelines.

Each of Braden's 12 career starts came in 2014. Kalis has 16 career starts. 

C: Graham Glasgow

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Graham Glasgow's experience should help.

A fifth-year senior in the middle? Yes, please. Now that incumbent starter Jack Miller is onto other things, Graham Glasgow, a gritty veteran O-liner, is certainly the most important center on Harbaugh’s roster.

The 6’3”, 303-pounder has appeared in 29 games, starting 24 times. His experience should be a true plus for offensive coordinator Tim Drevno, a touted builder in the trenches.

RT: Erik Magnuson

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Erik Magnuson can play on both sides of the line. It's all a matter of fit.

Erik Magnuson is another seasoned O-liner looking for a permanent residence. The redshirt junior has 20 appearances and 13 starts—five of which came in 2014. At 6’6” and 296 pounds, Magnuson has the ideal size and strength to contribute to a dominant push.

DE/DT: Chris Wormley

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Chris Wormley dazzled during the spring game. Will he do the same in 2015?

Versatility will always get respect in these slideshows, and Chris Wormley’s ability to play inside and outside has him as Michigan’s most important defensive end/tackle.

The 6’4”, 300-pounder has 25 appearances and six starts—all of which came in 2014.

The redshirt junior hasn’t put forth much to judge, but then again, he hasn’t been given a ton of chances, either. However, in 2014, he had three sacks and 21 tackles as a reserve, so it’s safe to describe him as important this year.

NT: Bryan Mone

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Bryan Mone is rapidly developing under D-line coach Greg Mattison.

In 2014, Bryan Mone looked like a misguided, guided missile—if that makes sense. He locked onto targets, he just didn’t get there all the time. But he was just a true freshman, so Michigan fans shouldn’t worry much about his potential. It’s there, and it’ll continue to show this fall at the tackle position.

The 6’4”, 325-pound sophomore started once in 2014 but had 12 appearances. When considering ratios, 12 appearances compared to one season comes off as reasonably experienced. Since this past season, Greg Mattison, now the D-line coach, has spoken highly of Mone—who has drawn comparisons to Haloti Ngata. Mattison coached Ngata while with the Baltimore Ravens. He loosely compared the two as well.

And the kicker: Mattison snagged Mone from Highland High in Salt Lake City, the same school attended by Ngata.

LB: Joe Bolden

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Inside, outside--it doesn't matter. Joe Bolden is Michigan's most important LB.

Joe Bolden is a heart-and-soul player. He’s not perfect. He’s not a superstar, either. But his consistent effort is exactly what Michigan needs to move forward as a team. As a junior in 2014, the 6’3”, 232-pounder made 102 tackles and started 12 times.

He’ll probably lead the Wolverines in tackles this season.

S: Jabrill Peppers

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Jabrill Peppers season is coming soon to a Big House near you.

Now a redshirt freshman, Jabrill Peppers is primed to set the collegiate landscape on fire. That’s what Michigan fans want to believe, anyway. And really, they should expect that. The 6’1”, 205-pounder is one of the best athletes to come through Ann Arbor—and it’s taken him just three games and a few practices to convince everyone that he’s for real.

As a nickel/safety/corner/life coach (remember the sideline talks in 2014), Peppers looks poised to succeed anywhere he participates. He’ll probably end up fielding kicks one of these days, too.

CB: Jourdan Lewis

With two interceptions and a handful of pass deflections as a sophomore in 2014, Jourdan Lewis solidified his reputation as Michigan’s best cover man. He has a motor beyond motors, which was evidenced by the way he ran down Utah’s Bubba Poole during the Wolverines’ 26-10 loss in Ann Arbor. To this day, that effort stands toe-to-toe with any tackle—or attempt, for that matter—recorded in 2014.

Lewis is physical, he’s fast and he’s always around the ball. Peppers will probably be as advertised, but Lewis will likely serve as the backbone of the secondary. With 25 appearances and seven starts, the 5’10”, 176-pound junior is one of few proven commodities at Michigan.

Special Teams

Blake O’Neill, a senior transfer from Australia, and Kenny Allen, a senior from Fenton, Michigan, will be the top two options at punter. Andrew David, a true freshman, could be the one delivering the game-opening kicks and point-after attempts.

However, at this point, kicking the ball isn’t all that high on Michigan’s list of priorities. It needs to learn how to more effectively run and pass the ball before thinking about “special” ways to move it down the field.

It’s too early to come to any substantial conclusions. Again, it’s only June, and making predictions at this time of the year is difficult. But based on what has been shown thus far, the aforementioned players should serve as the team's gold standard at their positions this fall.

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter: @AdamBiggers81.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference, press release or other media availability. All player information comes via MGoBlue. Recruiting information provided by 247Sports.