Thanks to another coaching change, Michigan, like most schools, will see a certain amount of player turnover. Some of it will be due to transfers because of playing time, some because of not fitting in new system and some players will not be asked back for a 5th year.
Given that the Michigan coaches plan to take up to 28 players in the 2012 class, and there are not 28 scholarships available next year, somethings go to give. S Carvin Johnson left the team yesterday opening up another scholarship for 2012. So, knowing that there HAS to be further attrition, let's take a look at the players that are the most likely candidates to not return for the 2012 season.
Editors note: This article is the opinion of the author and does not reflect any actual knowledge of pending transfers. Chat Sports does not claim to have any knowledge of any inside information into the Michigan football program.
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1. Sophomore S Marvin Robinson: The writing may be on the wall for the former can't miss prospect from Florida. He has been passed on the depth chart at both starting safety positions by Jr Jordan Kovacs and fellow sophomore Thomas Gordon. With Kovacs out and the emergence of Fr. CB Blake Countess, Sr. Troy Woolfolk has moved back to safety, ensuring we will rarely see Marvin this season, injury or not.
There has been speculation amongst U-M students and on message boards that Robinson is one of the few players that is not 110% bought in to the schemes of the new regime and has already put out feelers to friends who play at other schools about enrolling elsewhere in January.
2. Redshirt JR Terrance Robinson: Robinson, the 4th year player from Texas, will likely not be asked back for a 5th year. While Michigan has historically honored scholarships for 4 years guaranteed, 5th years have never been a sure thing. For a player to be asked back for a 5th year, he must be able to make an impact on the field or fill in a hole in the depth chart. With T-Rob not getting snaps in his 4th year and being passed by younger players on the Michigan depth chart, look for him to not return to the U-M sidelines in 2012.
3. RS Freshman WR Jerald Robinson: Robinson has not seen the field much this year after entering the 
coaches dog house in fall camp after failing a "test". From many accounts, J-Rob is not a guy who will turn things around soon enough to be a part of the 2012 Michigan team.
Look for J-Rob to land a a MAC-level or lower school in the state of Ohio if he doesn't return to Ann Arbor in 2012.
4. RS FR Josh Furman: Furman was seen as a "tweener" player coming out of high school and has still not found a position. With a 2012 class incoming loaded with LB and DB talent, Furman is likely to see the writing on the wall and pursue playing time at another school.
5. Freshman Antonio Poole: Poole was a lightly regarded recruit in last years class and has done little since arriving on campus to make anyone consider him part of the long term plans to be a starter. With the 2012 class having 4 highly rated LB incoming, Poole is guy that makes the 'transfer' bells go off in my head when looking at future depth chart possibilities.
Other possibilities: CB Terrance Talbott, TE Brandon Moore and RB Mike Cox.
Overall, I sure hope all these guys return and don't wish for any player to transfer, but, this isn't the little leagues folks. This is Michigan for christ sake and with the recruiting prowess of Hoke and Co, some off the players from the Rich Rodriguez era are bound to hit the road in search of a better opportunity.
Game prediction this week: Michigan 31 Iowa 14
~Mandy~
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