27 Tickets To Team 136: Post-Spring Edition

What is this? Folks who cover the USMNT drop lists like this projecting the 23 guys who end up on the next World Cup team. I have appropriated it. Regarding the number of tickets: 22 starters on offense and defense + 2 kickers + nickelback + FLEX TE  + fullback.

THIS IS THE POST-SPRING UPDATE: Spring has sprung.

PACK YOUR BAGS

1. HSP Jabrill Peppers, Fr.* [Last time: 2]

Peppers snatches the top spot as Michigan builds their freakin' defense around him. Also he gets the Hybrid Space Player positional designation as a man who is nickel and so much more than nickel. Peppers swiftly took command of the entire damn defense this spring and is ready to be the triple threat we have been waiting for since the dawn of the spread.

2. CB Jourdan Lewis, Jr. [Last time: 1]

Lewis gave no indication he was giving up the #1 CB job this spring, blanketing players in the spring game and leading a secondary that looked far too good for Michigan's wideouts to cope with, especially with Darboh drawing Dennis Norfleet. All Big Ten type season beckons.

3. LT Mason Cole, So. [Last time: 5]

Cole saw a little time at center during Michigan's post-Miller, pre-Glasgow period, then returned to left tackle. With Magnuson auditioning on the right, Braden playing guard, and LTT struggling immensely in the spring game, all challengers are otherwise occupied or defeated.

4. FS Jarrod Wilson, Sr. [Last time: 3]

All hail the boring safety who will play boringly behind the exciting Jabrill Peppers and be wholly unappreciated even though he's preventing long touchdowns very well. Hopefully this coaching staff won't jerk him around like jerks. Hail the providers of first and ten instead of extra points. Hail.

5. MLB Desmond Morgan, Sr.* [Last time: 4]

Auditioned for WR corps with spring game interception; still more likely to spearhead the linebackers as a thumper who specializes on third and one and still gets good depth on his pass drops. Some threat from Gedeon but seems likely that this will be a platoon experience rather than anyone truly supplanting another. No lemon bets this year though.

6. FLEX Jake Butt, Jr. [Last time: 6]

Spring game gave every indication that Butt is going to be one of the top receivers on the roster, especially if the tight end-mad Rudock does ascend to the top job. Someone's got to catch some things, you know? Blocking remains a question mark—from what I saw he remains middling in that department.

7.G Kyle Kalis, Jr* [Last time: 18]

Miller departure and David Dawson getting thumped by Mo Hurst clears up most of the uncertainty on the line. Would take a massive upset for two interior players to pass a healthy Kalis, who should be coming into his own as a road grader under the tutelage of proven steamroller architecht Tim Drevno. All aboard for high school photo reprise.

UNLESS SOMETHING STRANGE HAPPENS

8. C Graham Glasgow, Sr* [Last time: 10]

Moves up even after probation violation because of Miller's departure. Returned to operational status with team by the end of spring and near-certainty to be your starting center as long as he passes the hundred-plus breathalyzer tests that wait between him and opening day.

9. WLB Joe Bolden, Sr. [Last time: 12]

Lights-out spring performance encouraging  but comes on heels of last year's lights-out spring performance. Can he be as instinctive against offenses he doesn't go up against daily? Can he hit instead of be hit? Initial returns pretty good. It's time for the light to go on. Gedeon and maybe Ross will platoon, especially if Michigan is as nickel-heavy as it seems.

10. WR Amara Darboh, Jr* [Last time: 17]

Clear top option at WR in spring even if he was being checked by Norfleet; also Michigan's top returning receiver. Good combination of ranginess, speed, and hands could be reminiscent of Junior Hemingway. Michigan is going to need him to be a deep threat with the "speed is overrated" WR mantra coming home to roost this year. /shakes fist at Hoke staff

11. SAM James Ross, Sr. [Last time: 7]

Drops a bit only because it's unclear how much of a role a third LB will have in this defense. Well-regarded by DJ Durkin and seriously experienced, Ross will play somewhere. How much will be at SAM will depend on how many eight man fronts M wants to run and how many two-WR formations they face.

12.FB/HB Joe Kerridge, Sr.* [Last Time: 8]

Sometimes there's a man… I won't say a hero, 'cause what's a hero… but sometimes there's a man, and I'm talking about Joe Kerridge here… well, he's the man for his time and place. He fits right in there. And that's Kerridge. In Harbaugh's offense. And even if he's a fullback, sometimes there's a man…

13. NT Ryan Glasgow, Jr.* [Last time: 9]

This is actually a good thing, having Glasgow this low. Michigan has excellent depth with Bryan Mone and even Ondre Pipkins. Glasgow is still likely to get most of the at-bats, but your second NT is almost a starter anyway. Glasgow spearheaded a top-ten rush defense a year ago and should improve incrementally as a junior.

FAIRLY SAFE BET

14. 3TECH Willie Henry, Jr.* [Last time: 16]

Another situation where this is good uncertainty. Mo Hurst had a monster spring game at the same time Henry was ragdolling Mason Cole. One will be very good, and the other will still see a lot of playing time. Personally expecting that both will be on the field for passing downs. If Henry can just put it together he will be a flat-out monster.

15. K Andrew David, Fr. [Last time: 21]

Is the only scholarship kicker on the roster, so that's a nice head start. Big leg should slot in on kickoffs easily. Field goals? I dunno man, kickers are weird. Would like to have kept JJ McGrath around for competition. Options past David are… uh… Bueller?

16. QB Jake Rudock, Sr. [Last time: NR]

Two-year Iowa starter announced transfer on twitter; 61%, 7.6 YPA, 16-5 TD:INT last year as he was Big Ten's third-most efficient passer; conservative game manager type who fits in with Michigan's projected run-and defense configuration better than the thus-far turnover-prone Shane Morris. Morris biggest threat after spring.

17. WR Jehu Chesson, Jr.* [Last time: 23]

Nobody else impressed much and with slot receiver up in the air Chesson figures to maintain his position on the depth chart, which is currently #2. Thunderous blocking will catch Harbaugh's eye. Now, can he get deep? Supposedly faster than Peppers. For real.

18. T Erik Magnuson, Jr*. [Last time: NR]

Unusual to put the guy who ended last year at TE ahead of returning OL starter, but with Miller's exit seems likely Magnuson is playing either G or T, as he has seen time both places. Got tackle nod in spring, presumably as Michigan looks for Braden alternatives.

19. CB Blake Countess, Sr* [Last time: 11]

Looked good in spring but takes a hit as Peppers reconfig puts Countess in direct conflict with Wayne Lyons and other competitors. Lyons a more natural fit at boundary and may be better in man; Countess looks revitalized by the new secondary coaches.

20. DE Chris Wormley, Jr* [Last time: NR]

Escapes the defensive tackle logjam and gives Michigan needed depth at DE. Should be quality run defender… can he provide a semblance of a pass rush? Physical marvel, so it's possible. Need a leap from him if he's going to be an impact player. That hair tho.

IN A BATTLE

21. Delano Hill, SS [Last time: NR]

Tentative leader over Jeremy Clark and Dymonte Thomas for safety spot opposite Wilson. Has looked 38 for ten years and will look 38 for the next 40. Excellent athlete supposed to have a good feel for the safety spot, but did not push through even after reaching full health a year ago.

22. SLOT Freddy Canteen, So. [Last time: NR]

Pouring one out for Dennis Norfleet, but the writing is on the wall there. Canteen made a couple of sweet catches in the spring game and looks to fulfill the promise he started demonstrating in practice last year. Not too concerned about lack of production as a freshman, as WRs have an adjustment period.

23. DE Taco Charlton, Jr. [Last time: 19]

Keeping him in the 27 since he is the best combination of size and experience opposite Wormley. After spring injuries will have to fend off Ojemudia and a surging Lawrence Marshall to maintain spot. Should do so. Major X factor in season, as could be anything from backup to star. Guys don't come in his size with his athleticism often.

24. P Blake O'Neill, Sr.* [Last time: NR]

Aussie punter (and apparently model) visited and is planning a fifth-year transfer to M, whereupon he will win ladies' hearts by mooning on a beach and mine by rugby punting 45 yards without suffering a single return yard all season. Or he could lose the job to Kenny Allen.

25. RB De'Veon Smith, Jr.* [Last time: NR]

Best hair and best ability to not get injured amongst backs; also best spring game. Has reportedly impressed with his decisiveness a year after hesitation city. Excellent fit for Harball, very reminiscent of Stanford backs that weren't fast but also didn't get tackled ever.

26. T Ben Braden, Jr.* [Last time: 22]

Never good when you're being tried out at G after 1) starting at tackle the year before and 2) standing easily 6'7". Braden was shaky a year ago and Michigan is looking for options there. With Glasgow/Mags flexibility that could mean Kugler or Dawson pushes through to start.

27. TE AJ Williams, Sr. [Last time: 25]

Michigan spent spring moving any likely-looking body to tight end, so that bodes unwell for Williams. But no one supplanted him and by the end of the session all save Chase Winovich seemed to have resumed their duties as defensive linemen. It's clear there's going to be a massive playing time shakeout down the road; for now the default assumption is Williams.

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DENNIS NORFLEET MEMORIAL DENNIS NORFLEET SECTION FOR FUN PLAYERS WHO NEVER GET USED AND HAVE GIFS

NR. VAGABOND Dennis Norfleet, Sr. [Last Time: 15]

I think he was doomed either way. Tommy Tuberville entered at Cincinnati, and if there's a more dour, less tiny-person-friendly head coach I can't think of him. Probably should have gone to West Virginia, where wide receivers shorter than most girls in heels are an art form.

PUSHING FROM BEHIND

QB Shane Morris—leader coming out of spring
QB Alex Malzone—looked too raw to contribute this year
QB Wilton Speight—can he overcome the Borges curse?
QB Zach Gentry—probably needs some seasoning but upside in spades

RB Derrick Green—maybe the vision issues were Fred Jackson caused?
RB Ty Isaac—huge; limited in spring.
RB Drake Johnson—ACLs are not his friends

C Patrick Kugler—sure thing (for OL, anyway) entering third year
G David Dawson—added significant weight and should push
T Logan Tuley-Tillman—chatter from inside program is that light has come on, poor spring game though

WR DaMario Jones—slot playing time available
WR Moe Ways—Hemingway 2.0?
WR Brian Cole—much talk about his after the catch ability

NT Ondre Pipkins—concussions knocked him out in spring, time running out
NT Bryan Mone—I've been waiting for a large Tongan DL my whole life.
3T Maurice Hurst—dominated spring game
3T Matt Godin—could be drafted at SDE

WDE Lawrence Marshall—pushing hard
WDE Mario Ojemudia—bit of a forgotten man
SDE Shelton Johnson—freshman probably needs a year
SDE Henry Poggi—SDE now, still needs some time. Maybe trying out at TE, which…

SAM/WDE Royce Jenkins-Stone—Ross rebuffed challenge last year
WLB Mike McCray—should be the year he threatens for real.
MLB Ben Gedeon—will usurp some PT in prep for next year

CB Channing Stribling—will be good if he just stops phasing out.
CB Terry Richardson—maybe the coaching change will be good for him
CB Keith Washington—Harbaugh favorite probably needs seasoning
S Jeremy Clark—lots of PT, meh production
S Dymonte Thomas—insane burned redshirt makes it late early for him