Plenty of new starters will have to be relied on to put points on the board in 2024.
The defending national champion Michigan Wolverines begin fall camp tomorrow, meaning we’re just about a month away from game action. There are still some questions before that Aug. 31 matchup against Fresno State , though, such as who will start at various positions on both sides of the ball.
Let’s take a look at what Michigan’s depth chart could look like, starting today with the offense. We will come back with defense tomorrow.
QB – Starter: Alex Orji
Depth: Davis Warren, Jack Tuttle, Jadyn Davis, Jayden Denegal
Undoubtedly, quarterback has been the position getting the most buzz this offseason. For the last several months, Orji has been the presumed starter, and despite a great performance by Warren in the spring game, there’s no reason to change that line of thinking right now.
While there are questions about Orji’s ability as a passer, his ability to run the ball, especially at his size (6-foot-3, 223 pounds), meshes perfectly with the smash-mouth style of play Sherrone Moore will look to employ. This could make him an Anthony Richardson-esque weapon for the offense if things break the right way.
Behind Orji, Warren and Tuttle are fine backup options. Meanwhile, Davis will likely take the year to be a sponge and become a more polished player in the hopes he eventually becomes Michigan’s quarterback.
RB – Starters: Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings
Depth: Ben Hall, Tavi Dunlap, Cole Cabana, Jordan Marshall
It’s been the summer of Edwards, and it’ll be the season of Edwards with him taking over as the starting running back. While he had a down year in 2023, he finished strong and has the chance to be extremely productive in 2024 when he gets the lion’s share of the touches in the backfield.
Mullings has done a fine job as the bruiser back over the last two seasons, accruing 253 total yards and four touchdowns. It’ll be exciting to see what he can do as Michigan’s No. 2.
Behind Mullings, there’s no clear pecking order, but Hall and Dunlap figure to be the first couple options. Neither has contributed significantly thus far but can help out if need be. Cabana and Marshall are still a ways behind.
WR – Starters: Semaj Morgan, Tyler Morris, Fred Moore
Depth: C.J. Charleston, Kendrick Bell, Amorion Walker, Peyton O’Leary
Everything’s new in the receiver room this year with Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson gone. Morgan is the most exciting option, as the sophomore impressed in his gadget role last year and will take on a bigger role in the slot.
Morris and Moore are solid options as well. Morris introduced himself to the world with a touchdown in the Rose Bowl , while Moore had a great performance in the spring game and is poised for a bigger role in 2024.
Charleston is a bit of a wild card tranferring from Youngstown State, while Walker’s return from Ole Miss brings some size to the group. Bell also could play a role after having a nice performance in the spring game.
TE – Starters: Colston Loveland and Max Bredeson (H-back)
Depth: Marlin Klein, Deakon Tonielli, Zack Marshall, Brady Prieskorn, Hogan Hansen
Loveland is the best tight end in all of college football and is also Michigan’s lone returning starter on offense. He’ll undoubtedly have a massive role and could be Michigan’s leading receiver.
Klein is an exciting option as well, as he’s a speedy and athletic player who will look to break out in 2024 with a bigger role. Meanwhile, Max Bredeson will continue doing the dirty work in the ground game.
Michigan has a host of players who will compete for playing time behind those guys. Tonielli and Marshall haven’t contributed much thus far, while Prieskorn and Hansen are just getting the hang of things as freshmen.
Offensive Line – Starters: Myles Hinton (LT), Josh Priebe (LG), Greg Crippen (C), Giovanni El-Hadi (RG), Andrew Gentry (RT)
Depth: Jeffrey Persi, Connor Jones, Evan Link, Raheem Anderson, Nathan Efobi, Tristan Bounds, Dominick Guidice
Michigan’s identity over the last few years has come from its dominance along the offensive line. This year, though, the Wolverines need to replace all five starters and their top depth option. It’s a tall task, but if anyone can lead the charge, it’s Sherrone Moore and Grant Newsome.
Hinton and Priebe bring some experience to the table and should be strong on the left side, while El-Hadi has been getting reps at guard since 2022 and is poised to start on the right side. Crippen has slowly been developing as Michigan’s center of the future behind some solid transfers like Drake Nugent and Olu Oluwatimi, so he should be more than ready at this point.
Right tackle might be the most curious position, though, as Andrew Gentry is currently the favorite to start. He played both tackle spots as well as right guard last year, but looks to settle in on the right side. He’ll battle it out with the 6-foot-8 Persi in fall camp, while also trying to fend off Jones and Bounds.