The grading ‘curve’ is based on the Big Ten. Michigan’s competition is not “all of D-1A”. IMO it’s generous to even include the Rutgers and Purdues of the world.
Watson was an A+ (all american). All conference first team is an A (Barrett). Speight was a B or B+ last year (all conference 3rd team). Given he is a RS Soph and is coached by Harbaugh and will have a new QB coach in Hamilton, I’m assuming he’ll make a significant step forward. The OL could derail that.
TE is not ‘proven’ because Jake Butt was an excellent multiyear starter who took most of the snaps. TE is ‘proven’ because Wheatley split snaps at the 2nd TE position and Bunting stepped up when Butt got hurt in the Bowl game. You really can’t ask for much better when replacing a multi-year starter.
As for TE potential – I think Wheatly is getting overrated by some people but his potential is all american level. That may be true for some of our WR but none of them are 3rd year players who have gotten it done like Wheatley has.
Michigan may have the worst OL in the Big Ten next year, though I hope not.
