Michigan Football: Projecting Wolverines' Post-Spring, 2-Deep Depth Chart

Programs typically exit spring practice with a fair bit of uncertainty on the roster, but Michigan football's two-deep depth chart already looks clear.

The Wolverines have a massive advantage in returning 14 starters—most of which were key contributors in 2015—and a handful of top reserves.

Most importantly for Michigan, head coach Jim Harbaugh and the coaching staff have done a tremendous job developing fringe rotation players into credible backups and borderline starters.

Position	First-String	Second-String
QB	Wilton Speight/John O'Korn	Shane Morris
RB	De'Veon Smith	Ty Isaac/Drake Johnson
FB	Khalid Hill	Henry Poggi
WR	Amara Darboh	Maurice Ways
WR	Jehu Chesson	Grant Perry (slot)
TE	Jake Butt	Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
LT	Grant Newsome	Juwann Bushell-Beatty
LG	Ben Braden	David Dawson
C	Mason Cole	Patrick Kugler
RG	Kyle Kalis	David Dawson
RT	Erik Magnuson	Juwann Bushell-Beatty
K	Kenny Allen	Quinn Nordin*

It's fair to call Wilton Speight "1A" and John O'Korn "1B." Though they haven't created much separation between each other, the two have an advantage over Shane Morris.

According to Nick Baumgardner of MLive, Harbaugh said on WTKA radio that De'Veon Smith is the No. 1 running back. Ty Isaac looked the part of a capable backup during the spring game, but he needs to overtake Drake Johnson, last year's second-stringer.

Jehu Chesson—barring any severe setbacks in his recovery from a knee injury—and Amara Darboh are the undisputed wideouts. They carried the pass-catching unit in 2015, reeling in 14 of the position's 15 receiving touchdowns.

Grant Perry is slowly emerging as the slot receiver to beat, while Maurice Ways should receive regular reps. Drake Harris might occupy a lesser spot.

No tight end will jump Jake Butt on the depth chart, but Tyrone Wheatley Jr. could be a valuable player if he consistently executes this fall. Ian Bunting will push Wheatley for the important No. 2 role.

From left to right, the offensive line includes first-year starter Grant Newsome followed by 2015 fixtures Ben Braden, Mason Cole, Kyle Kalis and Erik Magnuson.

The lineup probably won't change, but the notable possible adjustment is Patrick Kugler entering the starting five as the center, shifting Cole back to left tackle and making Newsome a key rotational player. David Dawson and Juwann Bushell-Beatty will attempt to join the top six.

Position	First-String	Second-String
DE	Chris Wormley	Rashan Gary*
DT	Ryan Glasgow	Maurice Hurst Jr.
DT	Bryan Mone	Matt Godin
DE	Taco Charlton	Chase Winovich
LB	Mike McCray	Devin Bush Jr.
LB	Ben Gedeon	Elysee Mbem-Bosse*
LB	Jabrill Peppers (NCB)	Noah Furbush
CB	Jourdan Lewis	Brandon Watson
FS	Dymonte Thomas	Tyree Kinnel
SS	Delano Hill	Tyree Kinnel
CB	Channing Stribling	Jeremy Clark
P	Kenny Allen	Quinn Nordin*

Per Baumgardner, position coach Greg Mattison's prized recruit, Rashan Gary, is not locked in at defensive end but will start his career there. Should Gary be moved inside, Matt Godin could be sent outside behind Chris Wormley.

Or maybe someone else.

Wormley might be a starting defensive tackle, meaning Bryan Mone and Ryan Glasgow would battle for the No. 1 spot at nose.

But would that leave Chase Winovich, Gary or Godin as the opposite starter? Either way, Taco Charlton will be a defensive end, and Maurice Hurst Jr. is a lock to contribute in the rotation at tackle.

Michigan will cycle through a handful of names at linebacker, too. The difference is the defensive line's depth makes that a luxury, while it's more of a need for the linebackers.

Harbaugh previously called Ben Gedeon "a stud," according to Josh Newkirk of Scout. And there's Jabrill Peppers, who will spend a majority of his time with the unit after moving from the secondary.

Mike McCray assembled a strong spring, but his injury history is bothersome. Early enrollee Devin Bush Jr. and summer arrival Elysee Mbem-Bosse figure to contribute along with Noah Furbush.

Like the defensive line, though, the secondary is packed with talent.

Jourdan Lewis is one of the nation's best cornerbacks, and Channing Stribling has emerged as his complement. While appearing on WTKA, Harbaugh heaped praise on Stribling, per Angelique S. Chengelis of the Detroit News.

"He's a starter," Harbaugh said. "It's cold. It's in stone."

Jeremy Clark is the No. 3 (if you don't count Peppers), while Brandon Watson must hold off potential charges from true freshmen David Long and Lavert Hill once they arrive this summer.

Dymonte Thomas and Delano Hill are penciled in as starters at free and strong safety, respectively. Tyree Kinnel is currently the backup to both spots because the Wolverines lack depth.

Heading into the offseason, Kenny Allen is on track to handle all three specialist responsibilities—place-kicking, punting and kickoffs—unless Andrew Davis or inbound freshman Quinn Nordin can upstage the senior.

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.