Chris Evans (image via 247 Sports)
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Back in August I took a look at how the depth chart might look in 2017 (LINK), and then I updated it in September (LINK), November (LINK), January (LINK), February (LINK), and March (LINK). Of course, things are always fluid, there will be early departures, there will be injuries, etc. But now that we have the 2017 class signed or enrolled early, things are perhaps a little bit clearer.
Note that this is prior to the spring game, so we’ll see how these guys look on Saturday.
Hit the jump for another early look at 2017.
QB: Wilton Speight (RS Jr.), John O’Korn (5th), Brandon Peters (RS Fr.), Alex Malzone (RS So.), Dylan McCaffrey (Fr.)
RB: Chris Evans (So.), Karan Higdon (Jr.), Ty Isaac (5th), Kareem Walker (RS Fr.), O’Maury Samuels (Fr.), Kurt Taylor (Fr.)
FB: Khalid Hill (5th), Henry Poggi (5th), Michael Hirsch (RS Jr.)
WR1: Kekoa Crawford (So.), Donovan Peoples-Jones (Fr.), Nate Schoenle (So.), Brad Hawkins (Fr.)
WR2: Drake Harris (RS Jr.), Maurice Ways (RS Jr.), Tarik Black (Fr.), Nico Collins (Fr.)
WR3: Eddie McDoom (So.), Nate Johnson (So.), Grant Perry (Jr.), Oliver Martin (Fr.)
TE: Ian Bunting (RS Jr.), Tyrone Wheatley (RS So.), Zach Gentry (RS So.), Sean McKeon (RS Fr.), Nick Eubanks (RS Fr.)
LT: Mason Cole (Sr.), Nolan Ulizio (RS So.), Joel Honigford (Fr.), Grant Newsome (Jr.)*
LG: Ben Bredeson (So.), Jon Runyan Jr. (RS So.)
C: Patrick Kugler (5th), Cesar Ruiz (Fr.), Andrew Vastardis (RS Fr.)
RG: Michael Onwenu (So.), Stephen Spanellis (RS Fr.)
RT: Juwann Bushell-Beatty (RS Jr.), Chuck Filiaga (Fr.), Andrew Stueber (Fr.), Ja’Raymond Hall (Fr.)
SDE: Rashan Gary (So.), Carlo Kemp (RS Fr.), Deron Irving-Bey (Fr.)
DT: Maurice Hurst Jr. (5th), Lawrence Marshall (RS Jr.), James Hudson III (Fr.), Phillip Paea (Fr.)
NT: Bryan Mone (RS Jr.), Aubrey Solomon (Fr.), Michael Dwumfour (RS Fr.)
WDE: Chase Winovich (RS Jr.), Donovan Jeter (Fr.), Luiji Vilain (Fr.), Ron Johnson (RS Fr.), Reuben Jones (RS So.), Corey Malone-Hatcher (Fr.), Kwity Paye (Fr.)
Viper/SAM: Khaleke Hudson (So.), Noah Furbush (RS Jr.), Joshua Uche (So.), Drew Singleton (Fr.)
MIKE: Devin Bush (So.), Michael Wroblewski (5th), Elysee Mbem-Bosse (So.), Ben Mason (Fr.)
WILL: Mike McCray (5th), Devin Gil (So.), Jordan Anthony (Fr.), Joshua Ross (Fr.), Jared Wangler (RS Jr.)
CB: Lavert Hill (So.), Ambry Thomas (Fr.), Keith Washington (RS So.)
CB: David Long (So.), Brandon Watson (RS Jr.), Benjamin St-Juste (Fr.)
FS: Tyree Kinnel (Jr.), Jaylen Kelly-Powell (Fr.), Tru Wilson (So.)
SS: Joshua Metellus (So.), Jordan Glasgow (RS So.), J’Marick Woods (Fr.)
K: Quinn Nordin (RS Fr.), Ryan Tice (RS So.)
P: Brad Robbins (Fr.), Ryan Tice (RS So.), Will Hart (RS Fr.), Quinn Nordin (RS Fr.)
LS: Andrew Robinson (RS Jr.)
I have been previously asked for a list of changes from the last depth chart to this one, but they are too numerous to list here with all the new information, transfers, departures, etc.
*I had been listing Newsome as the starter at left tackle because I didn’t know what else to do with him, but Jim Harbaugh’s announcement this week that he’s probably looking at a 2018 return puts him down at the bottom of the depth chart.
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Ooofffff!!!
I’m thinking we’re gonna have two freshmen starters on our offensive line before this thing is over. I’m also thinking that we’re gonna be real happy about that ….. in 2018.
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Good job on the depth chart. I would make only a couple of changes. RB is difficult because they will rotate 4-5 in there. Here’s what I have seen to date though. Evans, Walker, Higdon, Isaac as the first 4, but keep in mind they have split up a little as far as inside & outside runners with Higdon/Isaac being able to run between the tackles a little more.
The OL is really only 7-8 deep right now. Runyan would be the first alternate at either Guard position. Ulizio & Spanellis would be behind JBB.
WR’s, nailed it. Only real possibility is for DPJ to start at WR#2, but he has been nicked up and not full speed for much of the early spring.
I would put Jeter directly behind Winovich right now.
Where is Wroblewski at LB? He can back up Bush first or even McCray. He is going to play often.
Running with the two’s at CB have been Thomas and St. Juste and running at the two’s behind the safeties have been Glasgow and JKP.
Don’t worry, all subject to change throughout spring, summer, and early fall. We know that changes are coming.
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I forgot to put Wroblewski in there. I meant to do that.
Thanks for the other thoughts/suggestions.
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No problem. It looks really good considering all the moving parts on the OL/DL etc.
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Wow, Jeter has looked that good so far? I figured he’d start out at SDE, then move inside, interesting. Also, that is a ton of guys with frosh eligibility across the DL…that’s gotta be a record
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It’s very fluid right now and I would agree with you. I thought Kemp would be the speed rusher behind Winovich and Jeter behind Gary. Jeter has shown enough already to play early. They could be moving guys around for spring though to figure out where the depth will come from. They have to show their hand a little bit on Saturday.
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Seems likely that Jeter at WDE is a temporary situation to me – for depth and his own development/versatility. Though I had similar doubts about Charlton at WDE and that worked out pretty OK I’d say.
They may also be thinking of spelling winovich on standard downs to ensure he’s out there on 3rd. A bigger body would help in that scenario.
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At punter, there have been a lot of reports that praise Will Hart. However, he doesn’t have the leg that Kenny Allen did and I just don’t see him holding off Brad Robbins when he arrives. Robbins is a special kind of talent that only comes around at Punter every 8-10 years or so. He is a great athlete that played several sports in H.S.
At Kicker, one observer is worried about the FG unit. We need to be very consistent at that position this year as we cannot afford to leave points on the field.
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Looking forward to August…. I love that this team is developing year over year….. finally!
GO BLUE!!
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Sweet, I never win anything.
As far as OL, what’s the chances Bredeson kicks out to RT and Ruiz moves over to G? I like the idea of him gaining playing experience without having to make line calls this year. Also, really wish Sampson Jr was moved up the staffs priority list as he seems to be another really good center prospect. Seems the OL’s big downfall was after Molk left and has never fully recovered since. Glasgow didn’t have the talent around him his later years that Molk had, but I’,m not so sure that was his best spot. With as important as that position is though, I’d like to see it kept stocked with talent. especially since they can often be moved to G.
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Brandon Peters will be starting for the Maize team on Saturday.
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The depth chart is super young, but there’s a lot of talent! The WRs and CBs worry me just because of the youth. Some guys are going to have to step up. Luckily there’s options in most places on the roster!
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Ulizio, Spanallis, Vastardis, Ruiz — sounds like some of our OL might be ready to battle it out on the Mediterranean seas after they’re done with practice in Rome.
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OL – I’m mildly encouraged that Ruiz didn’t come in and instantly slot ahead of some of the vets.
Still prefer Cole and Bredeson switch given all the reasons people had for thinking OC was better than OT for Cole, but Bredeson must have his limitations as well.
Staff could also be thinking ahead to 2018 when OT options should increase. May be nice to have Bredeson/Ruiz/Onwenu interior locked in.
Any rumblings about grad transfers on the OL or is that dream officially dead? Still feels like a great chance for a transferring OT to fit in, but the staff may figure JBB will be as good as the options on the market.
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I’m anxious to see our defensive backfield on Saturday. Hill and Long are getting better in practice by facing a good QB in Speight.
One of Hill and Long will be All B1G this season… EMaize it!
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