:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67548330/1185601490.jpg.0.jpg)
The Michigan Wolverines are not set to take part in padded practices until later this week in preparation for the season opener at Minnesota. However, with the dust settling on opt outs and roster attrition heading into the pandemic-altered season, it seems as if we have a grasp on how things are shaping up with the roster and some of the key roles.
Barring something unforeseen — but supposedly not entirely out of the realm of possibility — Joe Milton will be the starter at quarterback when the Wolverines open the season on Oct. 24. In head coach Jim Harbaugh’s six years on the job, this will be the first time that one of the players he recruited out of high school will take the opening snap. Of course, this would have been the case regardless this year if Dylan McCaffrey had stuck around or Cade McNamara completes his climb up the depth chart to QB1 status.
Milton symbolizes a new era for Michigan and he will be joined by a lot of new faces on the offensive side of the ball. The defense brings back a lot of key names, but also some fresh blood that will be thrown into the mix early on.
With all of this in mind, here is our latest stab at Michigan’s two-deep depth chart heading into the first set of padded practices this week. Remember, Harbaugh and Michigan do not provide one or make it public, so this is the best we’ve got.
Note: This does not account for sub-packages or different looks on either side of the ball.
Michigan Football 2021 Projected Depth Chart — Week 1
| Position | First Team | Second Team | Reserves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | First Team | Second Team | Reserves |
| Quarterback | Cade McNamara | J.J. McCarthy, Alan Bowman | Dan Villari |
| Running Back | Hassan Haskins | Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards | Tavierre Dunlap |
| Wide Receiver | Ronnie Bell | Daylen Baldwin, Roman Wilson | |
| Wide Receiver | Cornelius Johnson | A.J. Henning | |
| Wide Receiver | Mike Sainristil | Cristian Dixon, Andrel Anthony | |
| Tight End | Erick All | Luke Schoonmaker | Matthew Hibner, Louis Hansen |
| Left Tackle | Ryan Hayes | Karsen Barnhart | Jeffrey Persi, Tristan Bounds |
| Left Guard | Trevor Keegan | Chuck Filiaga | Raheem Anderson |
| Center | Andrew Vastardis | Zak Zinter | Reece Atteberry, Greg Crippen, Raheem Anderson |
| Right Guard | Zak Zinter | Andrew Stueber | Nolan Rumler, Greg Crippen |
| Right Tackle | Andrew Stueber | Karsen Barnhart, Trente Jones | Giovanni El-Hadi, Joel Honigford |
| Defensive Tackle | Christopher Hinton | Jess Speight | Rayshaun Benny |
| Nose Tackle | Mazi Smith | Donovan Jeter | Jordan Whittley, Ike Iwunnah |
| Defensive Tackle | Julius Welschof | Mike Morris | Gabe Newburg, Kris Jenkins, George Rooks, Dominick Guidice |
| Outside Linebacker | Aidan Hutchinson | Taylor Upshaw | Braiden McGregor, TJ Guy |
| Inside Linebacker | Josh Ross | Junior Colson | |
| Inside Linebacker | Nikhai Hill-Green | Mike Barrett | |
| Outside Linebacker | David Ojabo | Jaylen Harrell | Kechaun Bennett, Tyler McLaurin, Joey Velasquez, Anthony Solomon |
| Cornerback | DJ Turner | Vincent Gray | Darion Green-Warren, Andre Seldon |
| Free Safety | Daxton Hill | RJ Moten, Jalen Perry | Rod Moore |
| Strong Safety | Brad Hawkins | Makari Paige | Quinten Johnson |
| Cornerback | Gemon Green | George Johnson | German Green, Eamonn Dennis, Ja'Den McBurrows |
| Kicker | Jake Moody | ||
| Punter | Brad Robbins | Tommy Doman | |
| Kick Return | Ronnie Bell, Blake Corum | ||
| Punt Return | A.J Henning |
What are your thoughts on how things are looking so far? Sound off and ask your questions in the comments below!