Official Michigan Wolverines depth chart revealed, two freshmen will start Saturday
By Joel Greer
Apr 5, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Derrick Green (27) takes a handoff prior to the Spring Game at Michigan Stadium. Green won the starting job during fall drills. Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Longtime Michigan Wolverines football fans fondly remember home openers as a piece of cake.
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Reacquainting yourself with fellow tailgaters, overindulging on brats and/or beer, all made the crush entering The Big House much more tolerable.
Normally, Michigan was an easy winner, accumulating a 111-18-2 record in home openers.
Michigan shocked to say the least
That particular party came to a shocking end in the 2007 lid-lifter when underrated FCS foe Appalachian State shocked the then No. 5 Wolverines, 34-32.
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon saw fit to reward the Mountaineers with a healthy paycheck, by bringing them back to The Big House and even the score.
Las Vegas oddsmakers have Michigan installed as a consensus 34.5 point favorite, but taking the points is awful tempting.
A few freshmen
Michigan Wolverines head coach Brady Hoke unveiled Team 135’s initial official depth chart earlier today (Aug. 25, 2014).
Two true freshmen will be making their first appearance in a Michigan home uniform.
On offense, frosh Mason Cole takes over at left tackle for All-American Taylor Lewan, while Jabrill Peppers will start the season at nickelback and as the primary punt returner. Peppers, scout.com’s No 3 overall prospect in the 2014 recruiting class is expected to catch passes on offense much like Heisman trophy winner Charles Woodson did for Michigan from 1995-97.
Nussmeier impressed
Cole, who enrolled in January made the most of the extra time in Ann Arbor.
“I think mental make-up is the biggest thing that separates Mason right now,” said new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier said. “He’s so mature beyond his years.
“His approach everyday, he’s steady as a rock and what he’s achieved really I don’t think has surprised anybody within our building.”
Michigan returns 16 of 22 starters from last year’s 7-6 team, which included a disappointing 3-5 Big Ten slate.
Below are the offensive, defensive and special teams depth charts.
OFFENSE:
WR 87 Devin Funchess (6-4, 230, Jr.)
82 Amara Darboh (6-2. 211, Jr.)
WR 86 Jehu Chesson (6-3. 197, So.)
17 Freddy Canteen (6-1. 176, Fr.)
WR 23 Dennis Norfleet (5-7, 169, Jr.)
3 Bo Dever (6-2, 199, So.)
TE 84 A.J. Williams (6-6, 260, Jr.)
80 Khalid Hill (6-2, 252, RS Fr.)
LT 52 Mason Cole (6-5, 292, Fr.)
78 Erik Magnuson (6-6, 294, So.)
LG 78 Erik Magnuson (6-6, 294, So.)
65 Kyle Bosch (6-5, 303, So.)
C 60 Jack Miller (6-4, 299, Jr.)
57 Patrick Kugler (6-5, 299, RS Fr.)
RG 56 Joey Burzynski (6-1, 190, Sr.) OR
65 Kyle Bosch (6-5, 303, So.)
67 Kyle Kalis (6-5, 298, So.)
RT 71 Ben Braden (6-6, 322, So.)
72 Logan Tulley-Tillman (6-7, 290, RS Fr.)
QB 98 Devin Gardner (6-4, 216, Sr.)
7 Shane Morris (6-3, 204, So.)
RB 27 Derrick Green (5-11, 220, So.)
4 De’Veon Smith (5-11, 220, So.)
5 Justice Hayes (5-10, 194, Jr.) OR
20 Drake Johnson (6-1, 211, So.)
FB 36 Joe Kerridge (6-0, 244, Jr.)
39 Sione Houma (6-0, 242, Jr.)
DEFENSE:
SDE 97 Brennen Beyer, (6-3, 256, Sr.)
33 Taco Charleton (6-6, 275, So.)
WDE 57 Frank Clark (6-2, 277, Sr.)
53 Mario Ojemudia (6-2, 251, Jr.)
DT 69 Willie Henry (6-3, 293, So.)
99 Matthew Godin (6-6, 286 So.) OR
43 Chris Wormley, (6-4, 295, So.)
NT 96 Ryan Glasgow, (6-4, 296, So.)
90 Bryan Mone (6-4. 312, Fr.) OR
56 Ondre Pipkins (6-3, 306, Jr.)
MIKE 47 Jake Ryan (6-3, 236, Sr.) OR
48 Desmond Morgan (6-1, 232, Sr.)
9 Mike McCray (6-4, 241, RS Fr.)
SAM 52 Royce Jenkins-Stone (6-2, 234, Jr.) OR
15 James Ross III (6-1, 227, Jr.)
12 Allen Gant (6-2, 223, RS So.)
WILL 35 Joe Bolden (6-3, 231, Jr.) OR
48 Desmond Morgan (6-1, 232, Sr.)
42 Ben Gedeon (6-3, 240, So.)
CB 6 Raymon Taylor (5-10, 184, Sr.) OR
26 Jourdan Lewis (5-10, 175, So.)
24 Delonte Hollowell (5-9, 178, Sr.)
CB 2 Blake Countess (5-10, 180, Jr.)
13 Terry Richardson (5-9, 170, Jr.) OR
8 Channing Stribling (6-2, 178, So.)
SS 22 Jarrod Wilson (6-2, 205, Jr.)
18 AJ Pearson (6-0, 193, So.)
FS 34 Jeremy Clark (6-4, 205, So.)
25 Dymonte Thomas (6-2, 193, So.)
NICKEL 5 Jabrill Peppers (6-1, 202, Fr.)
24 Delonte Hollowell (5-9, 178, Sr.)
SPECIAL TEAMS:
PUNTER Will Hagerup, Matt Wile
PUNT RETURNS Jabrill Peppers, Dennis Norfleet
KICKOFF RETURNS Dennis Norfleet, Justice Hayes
PLACEKICKER Matt Wile, Kenny Allen