Michigan's first depth chart reveals starters at defensive end, punter, linebacker; uncertainty persists at tailback

Posted on Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 1:45 p.m.

Michigan's first depth chart reveals starters at defensive end, punter, linebacker; uncertainty persists at tailback

By Kyle Meinke

Michigan running back Fitzgerald Toussaint, shown against Bowling Green last season, is listed as the co-starter at tailback on the Wolverines' 2011 depth chart with Michael Shaw.

AnnArbor.com file photo

The Michigan football program released its first depth chart of the season Monday, and what's most intriguing isn't who was named a starter, but where a battle remains.

At running back, senior Michael Shaw is listed as a starter, as coach Brady Hoke and offensive coordinator Al Borges indicated last week he would be. However, sophomore Fitzgerald Toussaint also is listed as a starter at that spot with the opener looming Saturday against Western Michigan (3:30 p.m., ABC).

MICHIGAN FOOTBALL DEPTH CHART

OFFENSE

Wide receiver

Left tackle

Left guard

Center

Right guard

Right tackle

Tight end

Wide receiver

Quarterback

Fullback

Running back

DEFENSE

Defensive end

Defensive tackle

Defensive end

Strongside linebacker

Middle linebacker

Weakside linebacker

Left cornerback

Strong safety

Free safety

Right cornerback

SPECIAL TEAMS

Placekicker

Kickoffs

Punter

Longsnapper

Punt returner

Kick returner

Holder

Coaches have dismissed the tailback-by-committee approach and hope to name a lead back who will receive about 25 carries per game. Hoke said Shaw still leads for that job, but the competition is ongoing and Toussaint still could overtake him by Saturday.

"Sure, sure," Hoke said when asked if Toussaint could start against the Broncos. "No question."

At cornerback, junior J.T. Floyd is listed ahead of sophomore Courtney Avery on the right side, but there's only an "or" that separates them. Hoke said Floyd "probably" would start Saturday, but both are expected to receive significant snaps.

Senior Troy Woolfolk remains entrenched as the start at left corner. Freshman Blake Countess, who consistently impressed the coaching staff during camp, is expected to see the field as Woolfolk's backup and also on special teams.

"I would suspect that J.T. and Troy would be the guys that would start the football game, but when we get into nickel, we get into other situations,” Hoke said.

At placekicker, sophomore Brendan Gibbons edged freshman Matt Wile for field-goal kicking duties. Gibbons, who was 1 of 5 last year, has been more consistent throughout camp, but also has a weaker leg than Wile, Hoke said.

On field-goal attempts of "about 43 or 44 yards," Wile or sophomore Kris Pauloski are likely to get the call, Hoke said.

"Matt has, I don’t know if it’s a bigger leg, better leg, he has the opportunity to hit the ball more cleanly," Hoke said. "Everyone always (compares) it to golf, I can’t tell you about golf - because if you’ve seen me golf you’ll know why. That sweet spot that he hits it with (is better).”

Wile, meanwhile, is listed with sophomore Seth Broekhuizen as the starters at punter, but the freshman will get the first snap at that spot Saturday.

Punt return might be the position of greatest uncertainty, with four players listed among the starters: seniors Junior Hemingway and Martavious Odoms and sophomores Jeremy Gallon and Drew Dileo.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we had two guys back there, switching them to see who we think may be the best playmaker," Hoke said.

One job that was settled was at defensive end, where Ann Arbor product Will Heininger is the clear-cut starter. His backup will be sophomore walk-on Nathan Brink, who went from unknown to starting candidate in a matter of two weeks this camp.

"I think more or less it’s about (Heininger’s) experience," Hoke said. "We like what Nathan has done and he’s practiced very well, played well, been productive. And then the other guy that’s come on a little bit is Will Campbell - so that will be fluid up front anyway, because we want to play at least six guys throughout the course of a game so we can keep them fresh and healthy.”

Another position that was settled is at weak-side linebacker, where sophomore Mike Jones edged senior Brandon Herron, junior Brandin Hawthorne and freshman Desmond Morgan in a battle that persisted until at least Saturday.

Senior Ryan Van Bergen is a returning starter at defensive end, but has officially been moved to defensive tackle, where he will start against Western Michigan. Sophomore Quinton Washington is his backup.

Junior Craig Roh, who has been fighting sophomore Jibreel Black for a starting job, earned the nod at the other end.

Junior Will Campbell is listed as senior Mike Martin's backup at defensive tackle.

Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.

Comments

Chad Williams

Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:48 p.m.

If RR was coach the depth chart wouldnt be any different. If it were not by much. What changes do you really see from last year? Not many and the changes that were made were ones that was seen coming. Gordon began playing the spur lb more last uear gordon started some games so onlly suprise to me is mike jones. Offense looks exactly the same maybe wile will when the battle during the year but it was never set in stone as the "guy" as you all assumed. This depth chart provides no excuse to win less than 9. ITS HE SAME TEAM FROM LAST YEAR + BETTER COACHING well as you all are assuming.

Blu n Tpa

Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 10:36 a.m.

C Bus The first two sentences are conflicted. If the first one is how you feel then you wouldn't need the second to cover your being incorrect with the first. I guess you are almost always right except when you are not. On your last capitalized sentence your premise is based on a false assumption. That Michigan is playing the same teams as last year, and that every team hasn't changed personnel, coaches, or schemes since last year to improve their programs. Please see first paragraph. Thanks for playing. TiM Go Blue!

Mumbambu, Esq.

Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:32 p.m.

I really hope Dileo handles returns. I thought he was great last year. He was able to hold on to the ball unlike Gallon and was fast and North/South. And that's the deal-yo!

RWBill

Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:39 a.m.

And obtw, wasn't Touissant caught from behind on that play in the picture? He was wearing a brace and was injured much of the time. Here's to staying healthy!

RWBill

Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:15 a.m.

"On field-goal attempts of "about 43 or 44 yards," Wile or sophomore Kris Pauloski are likely to get the call" WHO?

Terry Star21

Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 9:17 p.m.

Well, the thing about Gibbons is; last years coach said he was making everything in practice as you recall. Hate to harp on the old coaches ("yelling all the time"), but maybe Gibbons feels more comfortable now. I really liked the Paulowski kid and was bragging about him after the 2010 spring game - then it was like he just disappeared. I still believe, with all due respect to the other kickers/punters - that Wile will be the go to guy for it all, less maybe a 20 yarder near the goal (excellent reference on this one). For those of you worrying about our kicking game, don't. This will be a strong point, even though we're depending a lot a new/young guy. But hey, This Is Michigan...we have seen this before. MgoBlueForTiM...............punter/kicker, please keep it in the stadium.

RWBill

Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:35 a.m.

Well MS that's certainly true and sad to say that Zoltan Mesko was indeed the MVP at Michigan. And many other years we've seen Michigan give up first down yardage on each exchange of punts. That's a heck of a hole to dig out of all game long.

Macabre Sunset

Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 12:36 a.m.

I've looked at stats exhaustively over the years. I'm convinced that punter is a very underrated position. The difference between a good punter and a bad one can be up to ten yards on every punt attempt. There are few players on the team worth that much in field position.

DonAZ

Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 9:36 p.m.

You're sound confident ... I hope you're right! Back when I was a kid I fancied myself one day being a placekicker and punter. Never played JV or in high school, but I did spend hours kicking field goals against the barn wall. I was better at punting ... good hang and fair distance. Still, nowhere good enough for even high school ball. To this day I appreciate a good punter.

DonAZ

Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 8:19 p.m.

I see no mention of Will Campbell ... any sense for his position?

a2miguy

Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:41 p.m.

I see his name 3 times... twice in the article, and once on the depth chart.

DonAZ

Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 9:31 p.m.

Major "D'oh!" on my part -- at the bottom: "Junior Will Campbell is listed as senior Mike Martin's backup at defensive tackle."

Terry Star21

Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 9:19 p.m.

You gotta pull for this guy and hope he makes it (big time).

Mick

Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 8:14 p.m.

If Gibbons looks shaky at all, I say yank him out of there and plant him on the bench. I hope he can be a decent enough kicker for his and our sakes. It's nice to know we have a future stud kicker like Wile with a strong leg apparently. That situation will avail itself soon enough. And as far as people worrying about red-shirting this guy or that guy? I say who cares, no one knows how long guys will stay in school. If a player is talented enough to see the field, than play him, I don't care what year he's in. That's why you keep recruiting new players.

DonAZ

Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 8:23 p.m.

Coach Hoke has shown no propensity for altruism. Gibbons listed as placekicker is not due to some touch-feely Oprah-esque desire to boost esteem. It's based on performance in camp to date. I do tend to agree with your comment about redshirting ... if the player is good enough as a freshman to effectively compete and win a position, then play him. But it does not follow that redshirts should be needlessly burned to play a freshman just for the gee-whiz giggles of it. Remember -- Taylor Lewan was redshirted, and Michigan is better for it.

MRunner73

Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 7:11 p.m.

It is a no brainer to me: have the best personnal that will give us the best chance of winning. I do have reservations about the kicking unit. Sounds like Coach Hoke will be giving Brandon Gibbons another chance at field goals inspite of going 1 for 5 last year. I suppose you would have had to be at all of the workouts to see the improvements for this year. So be it for me to second guess the coaching staff, that is until Saturday, Sep 2nd. If we see Gibbons miss a field goal attempt, be prepared to bury your head in your hands. We haven't had anywhere near a money-sure bet field goal kicker since Garret Rivas. Hold your breath concerning the kicking unit, pray, etc.

David Vande Bunte

Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:35 p.m.

I refer back to a post I made a few weeks ago in one of the Matt Wile columns: "The Holland, Mich., native [Broekhuizen] said he identified a mechanical flaw in which he was not following through with his leg directly toward the uprights. He's corrected that, and now is hitting more consistently than he did at any point last year." This is yet another reason why RichRod needed to go. Why wasn't the mechanical flaw detected by RichRod's Special Teams coach, whose job it is to notice and correct problems like that? Maybe if he had been doing his job, Michigan wouldn't have gone 4-14 on FGs. Poor coaching begets poor playing. RWBill, this so called witch hunt against RichRod is perfectly justified. If Seth Broekhuizen spent the entire season last year with an undetected mechanical flaw, then obviously neither RichRod or his special teams coach either weren't knowledgeable enough to detect it, or they simply didn't care enough to detect it. A college level football player should NEVER have to self-identify mechanical flaws in their game. Isn't that what coaches are for? Coaches are supposed to be wiser than the student, trained to spot those things either in practice or during film sessions. Yet, this simply did not happen. Seth Broekhuizen played the entire season last year with an uncorrected problem that no doubt affected his ability to kick. The fact that it never got noticed last year directly falls on the inattentiveness/unknowledgeable coaches. Coaches who don't coach aren't good coaches.

RWBill

Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:29 a.m.

ROFL This witch hunt against RichRod knows no bounds. He was supposed to bring them a juice box and give them a participation trophy every practice? If you recall, virtually EVERY Michigan fan was calling for try-outs for kicker. He would have been negligent NOT to have done something to solve the kicking situation. A kicker at a major college does not have to have the head coach holding his hand in practice; just man-up, grow a pair, and kick the damn ball. Rich can be and is fairly blamed for a lot of what was wrong, but blaming him for destroying the psyche of the kickers' fragile egg-shell minds is ridiculous. They just plain sucked.

Chilltime

Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 10:47 p.m.

Michigan has not had a kicker since Ali Haji-Sheikh!

DonAZ

Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 8:16 p.m.

Bravo, DVB ... could not have written that better myself. Excellent.

ZooWolverine

Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 7:53 p.m.

Putting the best people on the field isn't a no-brainer because you still have to figure out who those people are. It's interesting to see how it's shaking out because there have been a lot of questions until this point--I'm excited we're getting so close to seeing how the team is going to look on the field!

David Vande Bunte

Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 7:48 p.m.

It's my guess that neither Gibbons or Broekhuizen were nearly as bad as their numbers indicated last year. Their problems last year stemmed from a head coach that simply didn't care about special teams, didn't try to encourage them, then held open tryouts DURING the season to replace them. I believe that if you can be coached up to play at a level higher than your talent, that the opposite must also be true, that you can be coached down to a level lower than your talent. There is no question at all that special teams weren't being coached up last year. Every report out of practices about Wile indicated that he was performing very well, so if he didn't beat out Gibbons, it should probably be taken as a sign that Gibbons, now under different coaching, is no longer suffering from the same confidence problems he had last year.