Michigan Football: 6 Players with the Most to Gain in Spring Practices
Spring practice is fast approaching for the Michigan Wolverines football program, and a handful of players can begin their rise from reserve to starter.
Organized by position, the list identifies six guys with a prime opportunity to start claiming an increased role for the 2016 season. Both returning players and early enrollees are included.
The Wolverines are headed to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for the opening week of workouts before returning to Ann Arbor and building toward the spring game on April 1.
At that time, the following players will have a chance to showcase their possible ascent in front of a national audience—and demand attention as new projected starters in 2016.
John O'Korn, Quarterback
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John O'Korn wasn't a factor in the quarterback competition of 2015 because NCAA rules required him to sit for one season after transferring from Houston.
Heading into spring practice, O'Korn is the favorite to replace Jake Rudock.
O'Korn's primary adversaries will be Wilton Speight and Shane Morris, who was demoted to third-stringer midway through the season while taking a redshirt. Brandon Peters and Alex Malzone will also factor into the competition, though likely in a small way.
Michigan has three outstanding returning receivers in Jehu Chesson, Jake Butt and Amara Darboh, so all it needs is someone to throw the passes. O'Korn figures to hold that responsibility, but his trek toward officially earning the starting job starts now.
Kareem Walker, Running Back
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"I'm not riding that bench," Kareem Walker said on signing day, according to Nick Baumgardner of MLive.com. "I came here to be great. I didn't come here to sit the bench."
The early enrollee is prepared to begin his push to jump De'Veon Smith, Drake Johnson and Ty Isaac on the depth chart.
Walker, a 4-star from New Jersey, recorded three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in high school and totaled 51 touchdowns during those years.
As long as he stays healthy throughout the offseason, Walker will demand carries as a true freshman. But if the 6'1", 203-pounder bursts onto the college scene, he'll be a fixture in the rotation.
Grant Newsome, Offensive Tackle
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Grant Newsome was simply too good for Jim Harbaugh and Co. to keep off the field in 2015.
The true freshman appeared in four games, even starting once as a sixth lineman. Newsome showed respectable quickness off the snap and decent pad level during his limited playing time.
Michigan must replace starting center Graham Glasgow, but Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press notes two-year left tackle Mason Cole is working at center this spring.
Should Cole move inside, Newsome is a leading candidate to take over. He'll have plenty of competition, but nobody else has notable game action.
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Devin Bush Jr., Linebacker
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By this point, Wolverines fans and regular readers know the problem at linebacker. Three starters departed, only one key backup returns.
Michigan will use four defensive linemen under new coordinator Don Brown, but the alignment is likely to primarily be 4-2-5 (nickel) rather than 4-3. An experienced secondary will allow the Maize and Blue to repeat that 2015 trend.
However, Ben Gedeon is the lone obvious starter. Early enrollee Devin Bush Jr. brings plenty of hype, and spring practice is an important time for the 4-star to establish himself before Elysee Mbem-Bosse arrives in the summer.
Mike McCray, Noah Furbush and a couple others will also challenge for the No. 1 spot, but Bush could rise from true freshman to immediate starter.
Dymonte Thomas and Delano Hill, Safeties
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Jourdan Lewis and Jabrill Peppers started every game when healthy. They'll be in the lineup. Jeremy Clark and Channing Stribling will vie for the other spot at cornerback.
But Jarrod Wilson departs from his place at safety, and Peppers spends plenty of time at nickelback. Essentially, Michigan needs two new safeties.
Kind of.
Delano Hill opened the first eight contests, and Dymonte Thomas started the final five. Instead of battling each other, though, they both can earn a No. 1 role—and hold it for the entire year.
The defense is projected to remain one of the nation's best units, so securing a full-season starting job would be a major accomplishment.
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.
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