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Way Too Early 2024 Depth Chart: May 2023

The following depth chart has removed these listed players from the depth chart due to various reasons, even though some could return with a fifth year or COVID year exception:

• QB Jack Tuttle (graduation)
• RB Blake Corum (graduation)
• WR A.J. Henning (graduation)
• WR Cornelius Johnson (graduation)
• WR Roman Wilson (graduation)
• OL Karsen Barnhart (graduation)
• OL LaDarius Henderson (graduation)
• OL Myles Hinton (graduation)
• OL Trente Jones (graduation)
• OL Trevor Keegan (graduation)
• OL Drake Nugent (graduation)
• DT Cam Goode (graduation)
• LB Michael Barrett (graduation)
• LB Nikhai Hill-Green (transfer to Charlotte)
• LB/RB Kalel Mullings (graduation)
• LB Joey Velazquez (graduation)
• CB Mike Sainristil (graduation)
• S Damani Dent (transfer)
• S Quinten Johnson (graduation)
• S R.J. Moten (transfer to Florida)

It also assumes that every currently rostered player and every currently committed prospect will be here in 2024, which is obviously not true.

Hit the jump for the depth chart.

2023 Season Countdown: #116 Evan Link

Name: Evan Link
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 305 lbs.
High school: Washington (DC) Gonzaga
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Link was a senior in high school (LINK).
TTB Rating: 72

Link committed to Michigan on August 1, 2022, and signed with the Wolverines in December. His recruiting profiles listed him at about 290 pounds, although MGoBlue’s website puts him at 305. Anyway, usually those listings are overshot – just look at all the sophomores and redshirt freshmen who lose an inch and a chunk of weight between years one and two – and it takes a couple years for linemen to develop their bodies.

Link also seems to have very few highlights of pass protection, which probably means he either played in a run-heavy offense . . . or he just doesn’t have much good to show off in pass pro. While I’m not questioning his athleticism – he’s a pretty good athlete – pass protection issues can get people hurt. Furthermore, Michigan has a ton of depth on the offensive line and shouldn’t need true freshmen to play.

Prediction: Redshirt

2023 Season Countdown: #117 Henry Donohue

Name: Henry Donohue
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 202 lbs.
High school: Bronxville (NY) Bronxville
Position: Running back
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #49
Last year: I did not rank Donohue. He had 2 carries for 6 yards while playing in one game.
TTB Rating: N/A

Donohue appeared on the scene in 2022 after being a student body walk-on. As a high school senior in the class of 2021, he averaged over 12.0 yards per carry while playing a bit of running back and wildcat QB. He also had 943 rushing yards and scored 14 touchdowns. The first clip you see below is of him throwing a peace sign at a defender on a touchdown run, which is funny to me for various reasons.

But anyhow, he’s now a walk-on at Michigan who managed to get a couple carries in last year’s blowout of UConn. I would expect roughly the same situation in 2023, as he’s now likely behind the same people as last season, plus Benjamin Hall and Cole Cabana. Maybe – hopefully – we’ll see him in some mop-up duty in 2023.

Prediction: Backup running back and special teamer

2024 Recruiting Update: May 15, 2023

COMMITMENT

Pittsburgh (PA) Central Catholic linebacker Cole Sullivan committed to Michigan (LINK).

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2024

Orlando (FL) Edgewater cornerback Cai Bates was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’1″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida, LSU, Ohio State, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #18 cornerback, and #223 overall. As a junior in 2022, he made 7 pass breakups and 4 interceptions, including 3 in one game. The last Michigan player signed from Edgewater was wide receiver Greg Mathews in the class of 2006.

CRYSTAL BALL UPDATES

The following 2024 recruits have received 247 Sports crystal balls in favor of Michigan over the last week:

• Belleville (MI) Belleville linebacker Jeremiah Beasley (4-star, #25 LB, #265 overall) from Sam Webb
• Ijamsville (MD) Oakdale defensive end Dominic Nichols (4-star, #31 edge, #423 overall) from Steve Lorenz
• Chicago (IL) Kenwood wide receiver I’Marion Stewart (4-star, #26 ATH, #315 overall) from Allen Trieu

2023 Season Countdown: #118 Christian Bartholomew

Name: Christian Bartholomew
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 187 lbs.
High school: Galesburg (MI) Kalamazoo United
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #27
Last year: I ranked Bartholomew #108 and and said he would be a backup wide receiver (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: N/A

After redshirting in 2020, Bartholomew has played in one game in each of the past two seasons. Michigan often seems to have a walk-on receiver ascend to the fringe of playing time , and a few years ago, Bartholomew would have been my pick. But with the recruitment of the bigger, perhaps more skilled Peyton O’Leary, Bartholomew seems less likely to get there. For now it seems like Bartholomew is going to be a backup who might get a chance on special teams or in blowouts.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver and special teamer