Michigan Football Preview 2015 – Linebackers

Projected starters: Depends on the situation, Desmond Morgan, Joe Bolden

Could make an impact: James Ross III, Royce Jenkins-Stone, Ben Gedeon, Mike McCray

Watch out for next year: Mike McCray, Chase Winovich, if he doesn’t move to TE

This year, Michigan loses Jake Ryan, but gets Desmond Morgan back. Morgan missed most of last season with a hand injury and was able to get an injury redshirt. Now a redshirt senior, he’s a solid, though not particularly exciting player. He’s kind of line a linebacker Jake Rudock; not going to hit many home runs, but usually makes the right play. He’s been a big part of the defense each of the three full years he’s played, I’m plenty happy to have him in the middle of the defense this year.

The opposite of Morgan should start at WLB, senior Joe Bolden. Bolden has the home run potential, but ends up in the wrong spot way too much. He’s kind of like a linebacker Derrick Green in this regard. Senior James Ross III could see some time here when Michigan’s in the nickel.

The SLB spot is kind of up in the air. Michigan is set up to play a lot of nickel, with redshirt freshman Jabrill Peppers playing a safety-linebacker hybrid role. (I’ll call his position defensive weapon (DW) and talk about him more with the defensive backs.) Senior Royce Jenkins-Stone will see the field as a LB/DE hybrid pass rusher. In a standard 4-3 setup, expect Ross to be on the field at SLB.

Junior Ben Gedeon should see a decent amount of time at MLB/WLB this season. Redshirt sophomore Mike McCray should get some playing time as well, though I’m not sure at which spot. Could be any or all of them.

Redshirt freshman Chase Winovich was used at TE in the spring and is still listed on Michigan’s roster as a TE. This, coupled with the fact that he shares a number with safety Delano Hill leads me to believe that the switch to TE may be a lasting thing. If it isn’t, he could be a factor at LB next year.

Twitter: @KSchroeder2325

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