clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Michigan football depth chart projection: Week 1 vs. Western Michigan

Fall camp is over and now it’s time for real games.

By Anthony Broome
Western Michigan v Michigan Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images

The Michigan Wolverines wrapped up fall camp and are now into game week. The first opponent of the 2021 season comes in the form of the Western Michigan Broncos, who project to be one of the better teams in the Mid-American Conference but may still serve as an easing into the season for the Wolverines.

Michigan opens the season as a 17-point favorite over the Broncos, so while this is still a healthy margin it is not a cupcake non-conference game. This will be the first non-Big Ten opponent Michigan has seen since the Citrus Bowl vs. Alabama and also the first non-con team in almost two years.

There are likely position battles that will still play themselves out into the regular season, but we know that Cade McNamara is going to be the starting quarterback. Unless your name is Daxton Hill, Aidan Hutchinson or a handful of other names, there is a lot of fluidity everywhere else.

Here is what the lineup will probably look like heading into Week 1. From there, we will see how it plays out on Saturday.

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

Saturday’s matchup with the Broncos kicks off at 12 p.m. ET and will be broadcast via ESPN.

Next Up In Michigan Football