2018 Michigan Wolverines

[Leonardfan]

Since '05, Michigan has started 8, 7, 8, 9, 8, 9, 9, 8, 8, 8, 11, 10 and 7 white players. In 2018 they are projected to start 6 which would be a new low since write-ups started. although this is a fairly fluid number leading into the season. Haurbaugh has abandoned the Stanford method that led him to success


On a side note - I wish I was not writing this preview as Phall has done a great job with it over the past several years. Unfortunatley Phall has not logged into the site in almost a year.

The Wolverines made one of the biggest splashes of the off season when they were able to get QB Shea Patterson to transfer from Ole Miss. The icing on the cake is that Patterson was able to win his appeal and will not have to sit out the 2018 season due to transfer rules. He instantly has become the best QB they have had since Chad Henne. They also have Dylan McCaffery (It wouldn't be a bad idea for McCaffery to redshirt) and Brandon Peters who can battle out to be the heir apparent to Patterson whether he leaves for the NFL after the 2018 or 2019 season.

The Wide Receiver position adds some additional intrigue with big time recruit Oliver Martin, Nate Schoenle and Jake McCurry all showing up on different projected depth charts I have seen as reserves. TE Sean McKeon should also see a bit of playing time. Haurbaugh's offensive line is pretty disappointing as it in no way resembles the traditional Big Ten OL. Their are 4 white OL do show up on projected depth charts.

On defense their is some potential for LBs Noah Furbush and Jordan Glasgow to see the field. German import Julius Welschof could make an impact down the road (6'5" 250 lb DE runs in the 4.5s).


Offense
QB - Shea Patterson
FB - Ben Mason
TE - Zach Gentry
LT - Jon Runyan **in a position battle
LG - Ben Bredeson


Defense
DE - Chase Winovich

 

[Bucky]

Thanks for the write up!

Quite a drop for Michigan. I've actually enjoyed watching their Defense over last few seasons. Plenty of blue collared guys getting playing time, flying around the field being physical. Bummed they're only at 1 white defender. Winovich has NFL potential. Another long haired LB!!

I wouldn't mind McCaffrey transferring. I absolutely hate seeing top QBs waste away on teams that have a logjam at the position because they stock pile 4 and 5 star QBs.

 

[Shadowlight]

Thanks Leofan.

What to make of Michigan? There was that rare moment in time ten years ago when RB Sam McGuffie looked headed for stardom before the bottom fell out. It has been pretty barren since.

Michigan has been a down the line caste team for years now. Last year, see posts above, their D seemed a touch whiter as Furbush saw some time too. I think that trend will continue this season.

Best case scenario is that the rare waiting in the wings white WRs like Oliver who I hear is terrific, make a grand entrance.

DE Winovich has NFL potential. QB Patterson tore his ACL a while back which sucks but he will be ready. That said his potential is probably higher than all the other NFL draft prospects for 2019.

Never a good idea to get the hopes up too high for Michigan but unlike most other years there is some important potential on this roster based on Leofans report. We will have to wait and see if they can emerge this season or wait. Or wait forever yet another possibility.

 

[Flint]

Tarik Black injured his ankle yesterday so hopefully that opens up a slot of one of the palefaces at WR.

 

[northwinds]

Good to see that Chase Winovich will play today in the big game against Ohio State........

 

[Red Raider]

Has anyone noticed that Michigan’s 3rd string RB is a white former walk on? Tru Wilson I believe has a little bit of Mexican from his mom and has a white Dad, he’s a former walk on and has rushed for 355 yards and a TD this year. His dad is a former marine sergeant which maybe had some influence on his work ethic. He came in as an undersized, unrecruited safety 2 years ago.

 

[Leonardfan]

Patterson may declare - have to disagree with the decision if he does indeed go to the NFL. He did play well this season but to me he did not seem to be the same player he was at Ole Miss - if he returns to Michigan they have a very good chance to win the Big Ten. I don't think he is more than a mid-round pick right now.

 

[Flint]

I hope Patterson does declare. Dylan McCaffrey is the real deal. Id rather see him playing.

In regards to Tru Wilson. I like the kid. But if you see a picture of him he's your typical mixed meat mulatto. Looks like he's got enough non white in him to get a shot at the RB position but too much white so he had to walk on at a school like Michigan.

 

[Red Raider]

I hope Patterson does declare. Dylan McCaffrey is the real deal. Id rather see him playing.

In regards to Tru Wilson. I like the kid. But if you see a picture of him he's your typical mixed meat mulatto. Looks like he's got enough non white in him to get a shot at the RB position but too much white so he had to walk on at a school like Michigan.

https://www.instagram.com/p/9zcLKTm8Fw/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1h984sdb4drm8
He’s mixed Mexican instead of black though which I don’t typically mind as opposed to a mixed white/black player. His tan is noticeably darker than Danny Amendola or others with some Hispanic heritage though

 

[backrow]

Well, he's different to Amendola as one seems to be a descendent of Hispanic white colonists whereas Wilson seems very much like he is from ethnic native family. So technically not very white, no.

 

[Red Raider]

Well, he's different to Amendola as one seems to be a descendent of Hispanic white colonists whereas Wilson seems very much like he is from ethnic native family. So technically not very white, no.

Yeah definitely. I’m of Mexican and Italian descent so I’m a little more lenient towards those guys. But Hispanics aren’t known for having dat affleticism so guys like me/him still don’t get the athletic respect as say a white/black mixed guy who plays.

 

[backrow]

Oh yeah, for sure. If anything, it's usually a kicker or nothing for them.

 

[Red Raider]

Oh yeah, for sure. If anything, it's usually a kicker or nothing for them.

His complexion kinda reminds me of Kylie Fitts from Utah last year, no black descent but doesn’t look like a white guy in uniform. It’ll be interesting to see how it goes for him next year with Karan Higdon graduating. I’ll definitely be pulling for Wilson over any of the 4 or 5 star super hyped guys. I’ll never expect a fully white RB to start for a school like that so I’m fine with a guy like Wilson getting a chance.

 

[Leonardfan]

I'd love to see them put Ben Mason in there as an Alstott type FB rather than a short yardage back.