Michigan football team's depth chart reveals one big surprise Monday
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Carvin Johnson
Mark Moundros started the offseason as a fullback. Carvin Johnson arrived in Ann Arbor as a safety and saw snaps at cornerback.
Together, they could be two-thirds of the Michigan football team’s starting linebacker corps, according to a depth chart released by the team Monday morning.
After an off-season with little concrete information about position competitions, their emergence at linebacker is one of the more interesting storylines revealed by the depth chart.
Especially Johnson’s rise.
Moundrus’ move from fullback has been well-documented, and the Big Ten Network noted his contention for playing time in its season preview two weeks ago.
But coach Rich Rodriguez and defensive coordinator Greg Robinson never mentioned that Johnson, a true freshman, was in the competition at the hybrid linebacker position vacated by Stevie Brown.
In fact, as late as last week, Rodriguez said Johnson could see time at cornerback in the aftermath of Troy Woolfolk’s season-ending injury. In the meantime, Johnson’s made a name for himself at linebacker.
“He’s getting interceptions and laying the wood on tackles,” defensive tackle Mike Martin said. “He’s just a hard player, and he doesn’t say much. He just gets up and plays the next play, which is what I really like about him.”
Rodriguez cautioned the hybrid position hadn’t been solidified yet, and that anything could happen over the remaining four practices before the team opens the season against UConn on Saturday.
Right now, though, he likes what Johnson brings to the position.
“He’s a young, athletic guy who is a very quick learner,” Rodriguez said. “He gives us some athleticism at that spot.”
Mark Huyge (72) beat out Taylor Lewan for Michigan’s starting left tackle position, according to a depth chart released by the team Monday. Tate Forcier (5) is still in a three-way battle with Denard Robinson and Devin Gardner for the starting quarterback position. (AnnArbor.com file photo)
At middle linebacker, Moundros is slated as a possible starter along with senior Obi Ezeh. Kenny Demens is listed at middle linebacker in a backup role.
Elsewhere on the depth chart, Mark Huyge has claimed the starting left tackle position after competing with Taylor Lewan during summer camp. Perry Dorrestein is listed as the right tackle starter.
Huyge started nine of 12 games last year, toggling between right guard and right tackle amid an injury-riddled season for the offensive line.
“It helps that he understands what I’m doing,” left guard and team captain Steve Schilling said. “That level of communication and trust is there with me and Mark. We know, we kind of know, where each other is going to be and what we expect out of each other.”
Other items of note from the depth chart:
- At quarterback, the chart reads Denard Robinson “or” Devin Gardner “or” Tate Forcier.
- At right cornerback, senior James Rogers is listed as the starter, and the backups are Terrence Talbott or Cullen Christian.
- At running back, the depth chart reads Vincent Smith or Michael Shaw, followd by Michael Cox, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Stephen Hopkins and Teric Jones, who has moved from safety.
- At kicker, the chart reads Brandon Gibbons or Seth Broekhuizen.
Have a question about Michigan football? Email Pete Bigelow at petebigelow@annarbor.com or join him on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
herbal_tea
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 9:21 a.m.
Surprise! It's worse than last year!
chiro19
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 8:36 a.m.
I find the QB decisions interesting. Especially when you look at what each brings to the table. If Denard has improved on his reads and touch when throwing the ball then he in my mind should be the starter because he is a homerun threat with his legs as well! If Tate has stopped running in circles in the pocket after his first read down field and keeps the ball secure then he may be the most consistent. I personally think they should redshirt Gardner but I will say, as much as I can not stand vince young he reminds me of him with his running and throwing style, and in college football thats tough to beat! And Im not saying he is Vince Young Im just looking at him from the Spring Game which is what it is. The other question I have is how these read style QB's handle cold weather. Which one has the best ability in snow or cold wet weather. I personally think the speed of Denard and some improvement in throwing puts him at the top.
Sean T.
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 1:20 a.m.
Well said, Wolverine73. Don't let the control-freaks run you off. The same people whom call you a fair-weather fan have truly turned their backs on the program by supporting the regime that is here now. I believe these kids are gonna put their best foot forward and play to the best of their ability but I believe that they will be out-manned again this year. Hopefully, they surprise me and get those 8 or 9 wins that some are predicting but I seriously doubt that. And let the control-freaks begin....
Dwayne
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 11:23 p.m.
BorninA2, please read M44GoBlue's post to Wolverine73 and apply it to yourself. I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that you really don't "really, truly hope to be surprised by the results this year". We get it, you don't like RR. Heard you the first 100 times. Enough already.
BornInA2
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 10:20 p.m.
Two sophomores who split time as freshman are now considered "veterans". I really, truly hope to be surprised by the results this year, but aside from losing a major play-maker in Graham, I don't see much in the way of differences from last year: Same suspect defense (perhaps more so), same ineffective coaching staff, lots of underclassmen starting on both sides of the ball, talk of a true freshman at quarterback, and RR already talking about how he's have to pare down the offense and focus on "fundamentals". This is YEAR THREE and we're still having to do these things? Ugh.
azwolverine
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 9:19 p.m.
I'm not thrilled about the probability of Gardner playing this season when we have two veteran QB's already in the fold. It would be great if he could redshirt this season and then be fully ready when he gets the call.
81wolverine
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 9:03 p.m.
@m44goblue: Hear, hear! Well said. It's interesting that a newly converted fullback and a raw freshman can possibly start at linebacker. What's the problem with this position? It is apparently hard to recruit high school linebackers that stick. Also, what is going on with Jonas Mouton? He isn't mentioned in this article. Let's hope these guys bring it on Saturday. Go Blue!
Jake Church
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 8:41 p.m.
Wolverine73, choose another team to follow (Alabama is available Mr Bandwagon) let us true fans support our team and these kids. Can't wait for Saturday, will be in a suite. Go Blue, make us proud!
m44goblue
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 8:30 p.m.
Wolverine73, you sound like a very angry individual that needs to start looking at things more positivley. Do us all a favor and NOT watch the game saturday. pick up the paper and read how Michigan beat UConn and then get on board. I can't believe how much negativity people have. Support the players and coaches so that they can do their job without all the hassle of complaining fans until there is somethig to complain about. It is a new year and new goals. Lets get with the progam instead of against it. We have to play with the kids that are here and they have all been working their tails off all summer leading up to this game. For some, a dream will come true on Saturday- playing in the Big House and 110,000 people. The kids will be fired up and so will the Wolverine faithful. Good Luck and Go Blue!
Yelmonian
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 5:30 p.m.
NoBowl4Blue.... I was wondering about that, but it appeared to me they went by alphabetical spelling... first name.
wolverine73
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 5:11 p.m.
IT ISN'T GOING TO MATTER!!! Whoever starts will get three or four wins and then when the Big 10 starts, Michigan will go into the tank just like last year. Other teams have either figured us out by that point or the fact that these offensive guys guys are all TOO SMALL will add up to injuries and dings and subsequent losses. Just like last year. Nothing has changed - the coaching is the same and the players who will start are the same. And if they aren't the same the excuse that they are young will be trotted out again just as it has been the last two years and we will be asked to wait yet another year for Michigan to get better. Yes, the stadium will be awesome and beautiful but the product ( and product it is ) on the field will lure us in just enough to start to believe and then crush us - again, just like last year. And then finally maybe Rodriguez will be canned as he should be.
Txmaizenblue
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 4:24 p.m.
Tate will start...enough drama already
NoBowl4Blue
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 4:15 p.m.
Denard or Gardner or Tate. I think that is the pecking order. Pack your bags Tate.