2008 Offensive Position Battles for University of Michigan

With a new coaching staff and many recent changes the fall camp will see many players battling for playing time in 2008. While there are some veterans returning, there are other veterans that are being giving a second chance to prove themselves to the new staff.

The headline battle is at the quarterback spot where redshirt freshman Steve Threet is expected to be the starter. While not the ideal dual threat quarterback, Threet does have decent mobility and will need to show a accurate arm for Michigan to move the ball. Backing him will be walk-on Nick Sheridan, who is a coach's son, but does not have the physical skills of Threet. True freshman Justin Feagin has a chance to see some playing time with the most mobility of all the quarterbacks. Expect Feagin to be slowly integrated into the offense for some plays throughout the season to give the defense another dimension to defend.

The starting running back position seems settled for the Wolverines heading into fall practice. Junior Brandon Minor has drawn raves from the coaching staff for not only his combination of speed and power, but his love of the game. He will be backed up by junior Carlos Brown, who is more of a speed back and missed most of spring practice with an injury. Junior Kevin Grady is back from last year's injury, though his being available could be in question due to a legal issue this summer. Expect true freshman Sam McGuffie and redshirt freshman Avery Horn to push for time as the year goes on with their speed and elusiveness. At fullback sophomore Mark Moundros will start and be backed up by sophomore Vince Helmuth.

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At wide receiver the only proven player is junior Greg Matthews, who should come into his own after being a key player last year. He will be joined by sophomore Junior Hemingway at the other wideout position in the spread offense. Hemingway will be pushed for time by sophomores Zion Babb and Toney Clemons, but the one player who should see the field more as the season progresses is true freshman speedster Darryl Stonum. The slot positions in the spread offense are all up for grabs and will be decided during fall camp by a number of youngsters. True freshman Martavious Odoms, Terrance Robinson, Michael Shaw and Roy Roundtree will battle to see who is most ready to play come August 30th.

One position of strength for Michigan on offense in 2008 should be the tight end position. Veteran Carson Butler is perfectly suited for the spread offense with his athletic ability and former basketball skills. Another former basketball player Martell Webb will see time along with 5th year senior Mike Massey who is coming back from injury. Two highly-recruited freshman will also join the mix, Kevin Koger and Brandon Moore might not see the field this year, but have plenty of ability.

Of all the areas of change on the Michigan offense this year the offense line is the biggest. The bad news is that only one starter, sophomore tackle Steve Schilling, returns after an offseason of graduations and defections. The good news is that the potential replacements have been in the program for 4 years. Redshirt juniors Mark Ortmann (OT), Tim McAvoy (OG), Cory Zirbel (OG) should start. The other 4th year junior David Moosman will battle redshirt freshman David Molk for the starting center spot in camp. The primary backups will be sophomore Perry Dorrestein at tackle and Mark Huyge at either guard or tackle. With the lack of numbers some true freshman could see time this fall with the most likely being Dann O’Neill the highly-recruited tackle out of Grand Haven.

At kicker Michigan appears to be set with K.C. Lopata who took over during the season last year and only missed one attempt the rest of the way. While having the strongest leg Lopata could be helped out on long attempts by Bryan Wright, who will handle kickoff duties once again. As far as returning kicks, expect to see veterans Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown or Brandon Harrison to start the year, but some of the true freshman speedsters will see some time back there as the season goes on.

Note: Check back for the position battles for the Michigan defense in 2008.

by Paul Rodman
BigTen-fans.com Michigan Correspondent