Michigan Football Big Update: The Offense

Many things were announced by Lloyd Carr at his pre-spring practice press conference. Additionally, Carr has held one more press conference during spring practice and the media was allowed to attend one of the practices. Furthermore, many things have leaked out of the winter conditioning program and spring practice. That along with recruiting news constitutes the following update.

QB- Ryan Mallett has looked great, but he has also looked like a true freshman at his first spring practice. He IS the #2 QB already. Jason Forcier, as expected, has transferred to Stanford (actually he is gone at the end of the spring semester). So UM only has 3 scholarship QBs this year and only 2 next year. In '08, Mallett will start and redshirt sophomore David Cone will back him up. The third string will be a true frosh and the recruitment pitch will be to come and redshirt and start 2 to 3 years depending on when Mallett leaves.

RB- Michael Hart is sitting out spring practice for precautionary reasons. Kevin Grady is as thin and quick as ever before. However, Brandon Minor still looks like he will be the 2nd string. True freshman Avery Horn may redshirt. In '08, Minor will start as a junior and then Grady will be the hard running backup. while McGuffie(?) will be the speedy backup. We'll see where, if anywhere, Horn fits in. Possibly 2 RBs will be coming in with this next recruiting class.

FB- Despite his move to TE for spring depth reasons, expect Andre Criswell to be the #1 FB with true freshman Vince Helmuth (Rivals FB All-American) and converted linebacker & redshirt freshman Quinton Patilla also in play. Probably no recuit at this position this year. Look for Justin Boren's younger brother in the 2009 class.

WR- Mario Manningham is being held out of spring practice for precautionary reasons. Adrian Arrington has obtained strike-two and is in jeopardy of being kicked off the team. Sophomore Greg Matthews is being called the next superstar WR based on Rose Bowl practice & winter conditioning & spring practice. It remains to be seen whether he ever be as explosive as Manningham. 3rd year sophomore LaTerryal Savoy looks like a solid #4 who may be capable as a 3 if need be. All signs point to Bass never coming back. 3 freshman join the team in fall - Tony Clemons (PA), Ernest Hemmingway (SC) and Zion Babb (CA). Look for Michigan to sign 2 more in '08, with Darryl Stonum (TX) & Jonathan Baldwin (PA) topping the list.

TE- Carson Butler, the expected '07 starter, was kicked off the team for disciplinary reasons. Junior Mike Massey is the guaranteed starter now but is out for the spring with a minor injury. Converted OLB/DE Chris McCLaurin will be the #2. Criswell is also playing here for the spring (for spring practice reasons). Two freshmen show up in the fall; Webb, who the most potential and Steve Watson who is more prepared to contribute early. 1 or 2 will be recruited for the '08 class. Jeremy Crabtree of Rivals.com is reporting the Ohio standout Brandon Moore may have UM as the team to beat at this point.

OT- Jake Long is being held out of the spring for precautionary reasons. 5-star redshirt-freshman RT Steve Schilling (Mono and Shoulder) has looked great and will likely start. Redshirt sophomore Mark Ortmann is the competition for Schilling at RT and is the '08 successor for Long at LT. 3rd year sophomore Cory Zirbel is the likely backup RT and is being left behind after being beat out by Ortmann at LT and lapped by Schilling at RT. Redshirt freshman Perry Dorrenstein has shockingly received lots of praise from Carr and may be viable backup up RT for Schilling. Mark Huyge is a true freshman who is 300 lbs and athletic and should have a future as at least a backup. Dann O'Neill has already committed for the '08 class and one more recruit (J.B. Shugarts or Zebrie Sanders) would seal the deal on the position for the future.

OG- Adam Krauss (LG) is being held out of spring for precautionary reasons. The coaches are committed to keeping junior Alex Mitchell at RG and they are not considering him at RT. Sophomore Justin Schifano is the backup RG and future starter. Junior Jeremy Ciulla is probably a career backup but a capable one at that. Sophomore Tim McAvoy, who also can play center, is a minor backup this year who will be a key backup next year. Fourth-year junior Grant DeBenedictis just needs to call it a career (injuries). We NEED 2 to 3 G/C for the '08 class. My class expectations are so-so.

OC- Justin Boren looks great and will start as a true sophomore. Redshirt sophomore David Moosman has looked solid and will back him up. Look for him to get a starting spot somewhere on the line in '08. True freshman David Molk will redshirt and ultimately replace Boren or Moosman as starting center.

This is the offensive update. The defensive update will follow. Check back soon for detailed analysis of these player's past performance and future outlook.