Michigan Football: 2011 Depth Chart Features Many Familiar Faces

When Brady Hoke took over the Michigan football job, the nucleus of the 2011 Wolverines was already intact. All but five starters were returning to the team, which finished 7-6 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten.

Despite the fact that Hoke has made extensive scheme changes on both sides of the ball, you'll see many of the same faces on Sept. 3, when the Wolverines square off with Western Michigan at Michigan Stadium.

Perry Dorrenstein and Steve Schlling are the only regulars missing from the offense, while James Rogers, Ray Vinopal and Jonas Mouton will be missed on defense.

Denard Robinson returns to lead the multiple offense, which will combine a new pro-style attack with elements of ex-coach Rich Rodriguez's zone-read option.

On defense, the Wolverines have switched from the 3-3-5 to the more conventional 4-3.

The following is the penciled-in 2011 depth chart. Since this squad is much deeper than last year's, expect competition at many positions to last far into the season.

Quarterback

Quarterback

Denard Robinson, 6’0”, 193 lbs., JR

Devin Gardner, 6’4”, 210 lbs., SO

Russell Bellomy, 6'3" 189 lbs., FR

Head coach Brady Hoke tailored the 2011 offense to fit Denard Robinson's attributes. Eventually, Michigan will return to the pro-style offense run by Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr, but not with Robinson around. You'll see him carrying the ball from the shotgun while sometimes throwing the ball from the pocket.

To help keep the Heisman Trophy candidate healthy, look for backup quarterback Devin Gardner (No. 7) to get more reps than a year ago.

Running Backs

Tailback

Michael Shaw, 6'1", 195 lbs., SR

Stephen Hopkins, 6’0”, 227 lbs., SO

Fitzgerald Toussaint, 5'10", 195 lbs., SO

Vincent Smith, 5'6", 172 lbs., JR

Michael Cox, 6’0”, 211 lbs., RS JR

Thomas Rawls, 5'10", 219 lbs., FR

Fullback/H-Back*

John McColgan, 6’1”, 240 lbs., RS SR

Joe Kerridge, 6'1", 231 lbs., FR

*Steve Watson, 6'4", 255 lbs., RS SR

There's been excellent competition for the featured back position thus far. Since spring practice, Michael Shaw, Stephen Hopkins, Michael Cox and even Thomas Rawls have been mentioned as No. 1.

Look for this battle to continue until the Big Ten season begins.

Incumbent John McColgan has won the fullback job, but he's yet to carry the ball for the Wolverines. 

Receivers

X: Wide Receiver/Weak Side

Junior Hemingway, 6’1”, 225 lbs., RS SR

Jeremy Jackson, 6'3", 198 lbs., SO

Y: Tight End

Kevin Koger, 6’4”, 258 lbs., SR

Brandon Moore, 6’5”, 255 lbs., RS JR

Z: Wide Receiver/Strong Side

Roy Roundtree, 6’0”, 177 lbs., RS JR

Martavious Odoms, 5’8”, 173 lbs., SR

The forced redshirt of Darryl Stonum was the summer's big news. Back in May, Stonum was arrested for his second drunk driving offense and was immediately suspended by Hoke.

But instead of getting kicked off the team, Stonum was given a year to mend his ways.

Michigan will still be strong at wide receiver, however. Roy Roundtree had a breakout year with 72 catches, while Junior Hemingway caught 32.

At tight end, Kevin Koger had 14 receptions but expects to be a huge target in 2011. 

Offensive Line

Center

David Molk, 6'2', 286 lbs., RS SR

Rocko Khoury, 6'4" 287 lbs., RS JR

Left Tackle

Taylor Lewan, 6’8”, 294 lbs., RS SO

Erik Gunderson, 6'8", 312 lbs., SO

Right Tackle

Mark Huyge, 6’6”, 302 lbs., RS SR

Michael Schofield, 6’7”, 299 lbs., RS SO

Left Guard 

Ricky Barnum, 6’3”, 292 lbs., RS JR

Rocko Khoury, 6'4" 287 lbs., RS JR

Right Guard

Patrick Omameh, 6’4”, 299 lbs., RS JR

Elliott Mealer, 6’5”, 310 lbs., RS JR

David Molk, Taylor Lewan and Patrick Omameh anchor the line, which will be bigger and more experienced than 2010. Ricky Barnum inherits the left guard spot vacated by Steven Schilling, who started every game in 2010. Mark Huyge played at both tackle positions, while Omameh was a fixture at right guard.

Elliott Mealer played occasionally at left guard in 2009 and exclusively on special teams in 2010.

Defensive Line

Defensive End (Weak)

Craig Roh, 6’5”, 269 lbs., JR

Jibreel Black, 6’2”, 260 lbs., SO

Defensive End (Strong) 

Will Heininger, 6'6", 295 lbs., RS SR

Nathan Brink, 6'5", 263 lbs., RS SO

Chris Eddins, 6'5", 265 lbs., FR

Nose Tackle

Mike Martin, 6’2”, 304 lbs., SR

Quinton Washington, 6’4”, 302 lbs., RS SO

Tackle

Ryan Van Bergen, 6'6", 288 lbs., SR

William Campbell, 6’5”, 322 lbs., JR

The defensive line has been shuffled repeatedly during the offseason. Nathan Brink emerged as an end candidate, while William Campbell faltered. Ryan Van Bergan was then inserted into Campbell's position and Brink battled with Will Heininger for the strongside end spot.

Meanwhile, nose tackle Mike Martin could earn All-American honors.  

Craig Roh, on the other hand, is in a dogfight with Jibreel Black for the weakside defensive end slot. Nose tackle Quinton Washington and freshman end Chris Eddins add depth.

Linebackers

Strongside Linebacker (Sam)

Cam Gordon, 6’3”, 222, RS SO

Jake Ryan, 6’3”, 230, RS FR

Weakside Linebacker (Will)

Mike Jones, 6’2”, 224, RS SO

Brandin Hawthorne, 6’0”, 214, JR

Middle Linebacker (Mike)

Kenny Demens, 6’1”, 248, RS JR

Marell Evans, 6’3”, 237, RS SR

Jake Ryan was the surprise of spring drills, while Kenny Demens and Cam Gordon have been impressive as well.

Ryan and Gordon are still battling for the strongside linebacker position, but it looks like Demens has won the middle linebacker slot.

Mike Jones has been consistent at weakside linebacker, but Hawthorne should get plenty of playing time.

Marell Evans, who played for Michigan as a freshman and sophomore, returns for his senior season after spending a year at Hampton.

Defensive Backs

Cornerback

Troy Woolfolk, 6’0”, 191 lbs., RS SR

Blake Countess, 5'10", 176 lbs., FR

Gregg Brown, 5'10", 192 lbs., FR

Cornerback 

J.T. Floyd, 6’0”, 185 lbs., RS JR

Courtney Avery, 5’11”, 173 lbs., SO

Tony Anderson, 5’11”, 195 lbs., RS SR

Free Safety

Thomas Gordon, 5’11”, 208 lbs., RS SO, 

Carvin Johnson, 6’0”, 200 lbs., SO

Strong Safety

Jordan Kovacs, 6’0”, 197 lbs., RS JR

Marvin Robinson, 6’2”, 200 lbs., SO

Josh Furman, 6'2', 208 lbs., FR

There's good news in the defensive backfield. Troy Woolfolk, who missed all of 2010 with ankle and leg injuries, will start at one cornerback position, while J.T. Floyd returns after missing the final five games with a similar ankle injury.

But Floyd is still in a battle with Courtney Avery over the slot they shared last season. Look for freshman Blake Countess to see plenty of action.

At strong safety, former walk-on Jordan Kovacs brings stability and sound tackling skills. It appears that speedster Thomas Gordon will start at free safety, but there's plenty of depth with Carvin Johnson, "Marvelous" Marvin Johnson and Josh Furman all vying for playing time.

Special Teams

Place Kicker

Brendan Gibbons, 6’1”, 241 lbs., RS SO

Matt Wile, 6'2", 208 lbs., FR

Punter

*Will Hagerup, 6’4”, 225 lbs., SO

Matt Wile, 6'2", 210 lbs., FR

*Suspended for first four games

Kickoffs

Seth Broekhuizen, 6’1”, 200 lbs., RS SO

Brendan Gibbons, 6’1”, 227 lbs., RS SO

Long Snapper

Tom Pomarico, 6’4”, 240 lbs., RS SR

Jereth Glanda, 6’3”, 255 lbs., RS SO

Holder

Drew Dileo, 5’10”, 172 lbs., SO

Jared Van Slyke, 6’2”, 195 lbs., RS SR

Kickoff Returns

Jeremy Gallon, 5'8", 185 lbs., RS SO

Kelvin Grady, 5'10", 177 lbs., RS SR

Punt Returns

Junior Hemingway, 6’1”, 225 lbs., RS SR

Drew Dileo, 5’10”, 171 lbs., SO

The suspension of Will Hagerup has placed even more pressure on freshman Matt Wile. First, Wile was expected to win the place-kicking job, but now will inherit the punting duties as well.

Brendan Gibbons has had an excellent fall, and might get the first field-goal attempt against Western Michigan,.

Sure-handed Drew Dileo and Junior Hemingway will handle punts, while Jeremy Gallon and Kelvin Grady will return kickoffs.