Michigan Football: Wolverines' Strengths, Weaknesses Heading into 2016 Offseason

Heading into the 2016 offseason, the Michigan Wolverines college football program has clear strengths and weaknesses throughout the team on paper.

The Wolverines will be a popular choice to win the Big Ten because of the returning talent, but they also must address a few problem areas.

Michigan lost starters at quarterback and middle linebacker, which are considered the captains of the offense and defense, respectively. Replacing that leadership is doable but not always easily accomplished.

Nevertheless, the team's collective coaching prowess is reassuring for followers of the Maize and Blue. After all, few staffs in college football boast the NFL background Michigan does.

Strength: Experience in the Trenches

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Defensive tackle Willie Henry elected to forgo his senior season and declare for the NFL draft. Otherwise, the Wolverines only lose edge-rushers Mario Ojemudia and Royce Jenkins-Stone.

Chris Wormley and Ryan Glasgow were two of the best players up front, while Maurice Hurst, Matt Godin and Taco Charlton logged regular snaps. Bryan Mone, who missed the 2015 campaign due to injury, will also be back.

On the other side of the football, Michigan returns four season-long starters in Mason Cole, Ben Braden, Kyle Kalis and Erik Magnuson. They started a combined 36 games in 2014, too.

The offensive line improved from awful to average in Year 1 under offensive coordinator Tim Drevno. Considering the experience and familiarity with his coaching, the unit should continue to improve in Year 2.

Weakness: New Quarterback

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Jake Rudock is off to compete for an NFL roster spot, so Michigan has an important void to fill—perhaps the most important one.

Fortunately for the program, head coach Jim Harbaugh knows a thing or two about playing quarterback at a high level. Jedd Fisch is also a stellar position coach.

Is there worry the Wolverines cannot find a clear-cut starter from (pictured above) Alex Malzone, Wilton Speight and Shane Morris as well as John O'Korn, Zach Gentry—unless he's a tight end—and incoming freshman Brandon Peters? Probably not.

Concern? That's fair.

Harbaugh has earned the benefit of the doubt with quarterbacks, but Speight has limited experience, Morris has bad experience and O'Korn is unproven outside of the American Athletic Conference.

Michigan might eliminate this weakness. For now, though, the Wolverines have five or six quarterbacks competing for a starting job and no obvious favorite.

Strength: Returning Skill-Position Players

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Excluding quarterback, the Wolverines will be loaded at the skill positions.

Returning starters include running back De'Veon Smith, Jehu Chesson, Amara Darboh, Jourdan Lewis and Jabrill Peppers. Tight end isn't always considered a part of the group, but Jake Butt fits the mold.

Drake Johnson and top recruit Kareem Walker will provide depth in the backfield, while Grant Perry showed flashes during the Citrus Bowl. Delano Hill, Dymonte Thomas, Jeremy Clark and Channing Stribling return in the secondary, too.

Michigan must break in the new quarterback, but he'll have plenty of talent to ease the transition process.

Weakness: Linebacker

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At risk of beating the linebacker issue like a dead horse, this will be short and sweet. However, it would be unwise to leave out Michigan's glaring hole on the defense.

The Wolverines must replace their top three players at the position and only have one experienced candidate. Ben Gedeon, who managed 34 tackles in 2015, is a favorite to step into the starting rotation.

Behind him, though, are third-stringers (Noah Furbush, Chase Winovich, Allen Gant and Mike McCray) and a freshman in Devin Bush Jr. Michigan will likely add more linebackers before the 2016 cycle ends.

A strong defensive line, elite secondary and crafty coaching can hide issues at linebacker, but even seniors Joe Bolden and Desmond Morgan took bad angles that led to explosive runs. That may happen on a more regular basis in 2016.

Strength: Coaching

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The fall practice submarine led to an unexpected top-15 ranking, 10-3 record and a shattering of initially reasonable expectations. That's a credit to the entire coaching staff, not just Harbaugh.

Offensive coordinator Drevno and passing game coordinator Fisch worked well together. Greg Mattison did a terrific job with the defensive line, and Greg Jackson oversaw an outstanding group of defensive backs.

Chris Partridge will take over as linebackers and special teams coach, replacing D.J. Durkin and John Baxter, respectively. Barring a surprise move, those are the only changes to the staff.

Harbaugh's second season at Michigan could be a special one, but he's not doing this alone.

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All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.