With the departure of fullback Stephen Hopkins earlier this week, Michigan now has an additional scholarship to offer to the 2013 class, bringing its total to 24. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the scholarship allotment for next season and continuing needs ...
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style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(246, 246, 248);">2013 Eligibility Distribution Chart
2013 Commitments
Rs-Freshman or Soph.
Sophomores
Juniors
Senior Eligibility
QB
Shane Morris
Ryan Cleary (W)
Russell Bellomy (14)style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";="" mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:="" en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa;mso-no-proof:yes"="">
With the departures of defensive back Tamani Carter, wide receiver/tight end Ricardo Miller and fullback Stephen Hopkins, Michigan is committed to just 61 returning scholarship players for 2013. The Wolverines currently have 22 commitments and could accept two more verbal pledges to hit 24 and the maximum of 85.
So far, U-M has landed players at:
QB: 1
RB: 2
WR: 3
TE: 2
OL: 4
LB: 2
CB: 3
S: 1
DE: 1
DT: 2
ST: 1
For now, this is what the current state of the team looks like, and here is an updated comprehensive look at U-M's needs for 2013.
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Quarterback
2013 Scholarship Quarterbacks: 2
Commitments: 1
Need on Feb. 2: 1
Need on Feb. 20: 0
Need on May 7: 0
Need on June 4: 0
Need on Dec. 5: 0
Michigan continues to show little desire to add another signal-caller to its current haul of five-star Shane Morris. However, many disagree with this approach especially considering the QB depth problems that engulfed the Wolverines in 2012. While Devin Gardner will be back next year and should be back in 2014 with news that he is likely to be granted a medical redshirt, U-M will have three scholarship quarterbacks in 2013 and there are concerns over Russell Bellomy's status. If for any reason he's not capable of competing for reps, Michigan would be left with only two scholarships QBs -- Gardner and Morris.
The coaches know the situation better than anyone else and if they have confidence in Bellomy's ability to bounce back from a difficult experience, there is no need to sign another signal-caller. That said, it will be nice when the Maize and Blue can get back to the days when there were four scholarship QBs on the roster, and that should happen in 2014.
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Running Back
2013 Scholarship Running Backs: 6
Commitments: 2
Need on Feb. 2: 1-2
Need on Feb. 20: 1
Need on May 7: 0
Need on June 4: 1
Need on Dec. 5: 1
Michigan took a hit at the fullback position with the unexpected departure of Hopkins, though late in the season he saw his minutes shrink as Joe Kerridge began to overtake him on the depth chart. Kerridge will be back and the coaches like his potential as both a blocker and a rusher/receiver while they are also high on Sione Houma, believing his future bright. Commitment Wyatt Shallman, meanwhile, will likely get a look at fullback in some form. Shallman expects to carry the football and can be an asset offensively, but his big-body frame fits better at fullback. The question is whether the desire is there because it takes a special mentality to be a lead blocker.
At the tailback position, U-M will say goodbye to Vincent Smith, and while losing his toughness and leadership, Michigan won't lose much on-field production. The Wolverines' contribution at tailback this year was a disappointment. That was the fault of both the ball carriers and the offensive line, though more the latter. Still, the tailbacks are not off the hook and they have to be better next season. Fitz Toussaint, who should be fully recovered from his leg injury, will likely take on Thomas Rawls, Justice Hayes, Drake Johnson and others as they compete for the starting job next year.
Deveon Smith will also be in that mix, and Michigan is still eager to add a running back in this class, ideally five-star Derrick Green, though it doesn't appear likely he will sign with the Maize and Blue. style="font-style: italic;"> http-equiv="content-type">
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Wide Receiver
2013 Scholarship Receivers: 6
Commitments: 3
Need on Feb. 2: 3
Need on Feb. 20: 3
Need on May 7: 2
Need on June 4: 1-2
Need on Dec. 5: 1
The Wolverines have three recruits in the mix, with Jaron Dukes and Csont'e York adding big, long frames and Da'Mario Jones more of a speedster that will fit in well in the slot. They also return six scholarship veterans, including Jeremy Gallon, who has a team-high 40 grabs this season, and Drew Dileo. Those two are the only proven members of the receiving corps, however, and Michigan will need a few to step up in a big way in 2013. Could that be Amara Darboh? Quite possibly. More was expected out of Jerald Robinson this fall, but he'll get another shot to catch on. Jehu Chesson, meanwhile, may need another year of seasoning and could be one to watch in 2014 along with Dukes and York.
In fact, what this recruiting class lacks, and what it sorely needs, is an impact wideout. That's five-star LaQuon Treadwell, however, like Green, it's very unlikely he ends up in a winged helmet. If not him, then whom? Probably no one unless the Wolverines can get a current commitment of another school to change his mind.
Like at tailback, wide receiver will again be a big priority in 2014. Michigan has added bodies at both positions in the 2012 and 2013 recruiting classes but has not grabbed the five-star playmakers they need at the skill positions to become an elite offense.
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Tight End
2013 Scholarship Tight Ends: 3
Commitments: 2
Need on Feb. 2: 2
Need on Feb. 20: 0
Need on May 7: 0-1
Need on June 4: 0-1
Need on Dec. 5: 0
Even with the play and impact of Devin Funchess and A.J. Williams as freshmen this year, Michigan will be extremely thin at tight end with the departures of seniors Brandon Moore and Mike Kwiatkowski, the latter who became integral throughout the 2012 season.
Funchess is the star, but what might his future entail? As one prominent former player noted, he probably won't ever be the complete tight end U-M wants, that can get down on the line and really serve as an asset in the run game. Perhaps then he might end up seeing time in 2013 in more of a receiver-type role? That could be the case with Williams -- a behemoth -- solidifying his role on the line of scrimmage. Williams can catch, though, and should receive an opportunity next season.
Michigan has commitments from two tight ends, and in Jake Butt, the Wolverines do see the complete package. One day putting him and Funchess on the field together could leave defensive coordinators trembling. Khalid Hill will also join this class, providing depth to the position but where he fits in remains to be seen.
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Offensive Line
2013 Scholarship Offensive Linemen: 8
Commitments: 4
Need on Feb. 2: 5
Need on Feb. 20: 1
Need on May 7: 0
Need on June 4: 0
Need on Dec. 5: 1
Depth and talent at OL were a question mark in 2011, in Brady Hoke's first season. They were again a major concern in 2012 and proved to be the line's (and maybe the offense's) undoing, while things won't change much in 2013 either, especially if Taylor Lewan leaves for the NFL as expected. If he does so, U-M will have just seven scholarship linemen, including only two -- tackle Michael Schofield and center Jack Miller -- that have ever stepped foot on the field during a game. Can you say scary?
Of course, the coaching staff is very high on its current redshirt freshmen, with Ben Braden and Kyle Kalis likely to start next season, and Blake Bars and Erik Magnuson in the mix too. A bevy of four talented freshmen will arrive also, with the possibility that Patrick Kugler, Kyle Bosch and Chris Fox could play their way onto the two-deep; they'll almost have to.
Michigan is still looking for a lineman after four-star David Dawson backed out of his commitment this fall. While at first it didn't appear that U-M would continue to recruit Dawson, the two have since mended, and it's a possibility he ends up in this class, filling out the quota for five offensive linemen. He, too, could compete to make the two-deep right away.
Regardless of how it shakes out, the Maize and Blue will again be aggressive in 2014, looking for at least four linemen and maybe five, and they already have a commitment from Denzel Ward.
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Cornerbacks
2013 Scholarship Cornerbacks: 5
Commitments: 2
Need on Feb. 2: 2
Need on Feb. 20: 1
Need on May 7: 0
Need on June 4: 0-1
Need on Dec. 5: 0-1
Michigan is down a cornerback after three-star Gareon Conley took a visit to Ohio State, nullifying his status with Michigan. There is still a pretty strong feeling that Conley will end up part of this recruiting class, but that's not a guarantee, and U-M is keeping its options open in case he doesn't ever wear the winged helmet. The Wolverines would like a fourth cornerback to augment the three they have, especially because it's a possibility that someone like Jourden Lewis could end up at receiver. However, based on numbers alone, it's not an absolute necessity.
With the emergence of Raymon Taylor and the expected return to health of Blake Countess, Michigan should have a starting tandem in 2013 that rivals the nation's best. Courtney Avery is very good in the nickel package and is an above-average reserve in case of emergency. Delonte Hollowell has not yet proven to be that, though, and could be leapfrogged by Terry Richardson in the pecking order. Channing Stribling is really coming on too and will be a rookie to watch at this position next year.
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Safety
2013 Scholarship Safeties: 6
Commitments: 1
Need on Feb. 2: 0
Need on Feb. 20: 0
Need on May 7: 0
Need on June 4: 0
Need on Dec. 5: 0
Michigan will see only one scholarship safety depart, and he started out as a walk-on, but Jordan Kovacs is not some ordinary exit. He will be greatly missed as the captain and anchor of the defense. In his stead perhaps Marvin Robinson will finally put it all together. That or Thomas Gordon and Jarrod Wilson will work in tandem at the two safety posts. Allen Gant, Jeremy Clark and Josh Furman will also vie for playing time, but Wilson has a leg up on the competition.
U-M will sign just one safety this year - Dymonte Thomas - and will likely look for a much bigger haul in 2014. At least two safeties and potentially three. Thomas is a standout, and it's not entirely impossible that he could contribute in 2013, however, Wilson spent a full winter with the team, was well-thought of and didn't see significant snaps in 2012 so it's unlikely Thomas will a year from now.
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Linebacker
2013 Scholarship Linebackers: 9
Commitments: 2
Need on Feb. 2: 2
Need on Feb. 20: 2
Need on May 7: 0
Need on June 4: 0
Need on Dec. 5: 0
The Maize and Blue have been offering linebacker recruits lately, showing that maybe, just maybe, they're not entirely satisfied with two recruits. This is also leading to speculation that someone from the current team is likely to leave, freeing a spot. That's more rumor than anything else at this point. The fact is, Michigan is stacked at linebacker. Jake Ryan became a standout this fall and he'll be an even bigger star in 2013 while Desmond Morgan, James Ross III and Joe Bolden all played critical roles this year. Morgan could slide to MIKE to compete with Bolden or stay put at the WILL to compete with Ross for playing time next year. The coaches also like the potential of Royce Jenkins-Stone and believe Cam Gordon still has a role to play.
U-M has landed a pair of four-stars in Mike McCray and Ben Gedeon, and where they fit remains to be seen, though it won't likely be at SAM. In the 2014 class, Michigan will say goodbye to two seniors while it's quite possible Ryan could leave after his junior year.
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Defensive End
2013 Scholarship Defensive Ends: 7
Commitments: 1
Need on Feb. 2: 2
Need on Feb. 20: 0-1
Need on May 7: 0-1
Need on June 4: 0-1
Need on Dec. 5: 0
Michigan's depth at defensive end was still emerging in 2012, but it really has to like what it brings back next year. Frank Clark and Brennen Beyer gleaned valuable experience at weakside/rush end but will have to bring it consistently to stave off Mario Ojemudia, who has the look of a natural pass rusher. Clark has to capitalize off his impressive OSU game and become that player week after week in 2013. At strongside end, U-M loses Craig Roh but will have Keith Heitzman and three redshirting freshmen -- Tom Strobel, Matthew Godin and Chris Wormley -- competing to replace him. Strobel had a strong fall and the coaches are also very high on Wormley.
Taco Charlton will be added to the mix next season and has the versatility to either be a rush end or a strongside end, though as he adds weight, it's likely he stays at strongside end. Because all of the players mentioned in the above paragraph were sophomores or younger this year, Michigan will have numbers (barring a departure) for awhile so it can be choosy in the 2014 class. http-equiv="content-type">
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Defensive Tackle
2013 Scholarship Defensive Tackles: 6
Commitments: 2
Need on Feb. 2: 2
Need on Feb. 20: 1-2
Need on May 7: 1-2
Need on June 4: 0-1
Need on Dec. 5: 0
What once was a perceived weakness has become a strength for the Maize and Blue with the emergence of Quinton Washington, Jibreel Black and Ondre Pipkins. Washington will anchor the defensive line next season from his tackle position, and while not a big playmaker, he was superb at the point of contact, occupying blockers and making some stops when afforded the chance. Black seemed to come on late in the year and may have finally adapted to his position switch inside. He could be a difference-maker next season, finding his way into the offensive backfield consistently. The coaches also have high hopes for Pipkins and believe his classmate, Willie Henry, will blossom as a three-technique tackle too.
U-M hasn't given up on Richard Ash and Kenny Wilkins but both have to have big offseasons to stay in the mix, especially with the arrival of Henry Poggi and Maurice Hurst Jr. next season. The two recruits are not expected to be instant impact players, though Poggi could be if he shows up with the weight and strength to play inside. http-equiv="content-type">
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Specialists
2013 Scholarship Specialists: 3
Commitments: 1
Need on Feb. 2: 0
Need on Feb. 20: 0
Need on May 7: 0
Need on June 4: 0
Need on Dec. 5:
Placekicker Brendan Gibbons had another outstanding season and in 2014 he'll have a chance to solidify his place in the record books as one of U-M's all-time best. Punter Will Hagerup responded after a disappointing year in 2011, while Matt Wile will likely continue in his role on kickoffs, pooch punter and occasional long-distance field-goal kicker.
The Wolverines have added a specialist to the mix, recruiting long snapper Scott Sypniewski to replace Jareth Glanda in 2014. They'll probably be on the lookout for a punter in the 2014 class too, though Wile could be the rare dual threat.
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