The Michigan Wolverines have to replace a bunch starters 18 starters from last year's 10-win team, but they still have the expectations of competing for the Big Ten title and a College Football Playoff berth next year. However, for that to happen, they need to have new players step up in 2017. That means not just serving as a starter, but thriving. While Michigan is banking on more than just a few players, these are the top five who Michigan needs a big year from.
LB Devin Bush
Michigan is thin and unproven at LB and they're counting on Bush. He had 11 tackles last year in a limited role and will need to massively increase those numbers as the new starting middle linebacker (where he played well in the Spring Game). Although undersized, Bush has the speed to thrive at both MLB and WLB. He'll need to take a big leap forward as part of a new-look Michigan defense that will feature 10 new starters.
WR Kekoa Crawford
Amara Darboh is gone. Jehu Chesson is gone. Jake Butt is gone. The Wolverines need to replace all of their leading pass catchers from last year and Crawford has a great chance to become Michigan's new top wideout. Donovan Peoples-Jones has a bright future, but it remains to be seen how much he can contribute as a freshman. Crawford showed flashes of his ability in limited time last year, with four catches for 47 yards and a TD. Crawford will have to hold off the talented young freshmen, but Michigan is counting on him this year.
RB Chris Evans
Leading rusher De'Veon Smith is gone, leaving sophomore Chris Evans as the top RB on the Michigan roster. Guys like Ty Isaac, Karan Higdon and Kareem Walker will split time in the running back-by-committee approach Michigan uses, but Evans will get the plurality of the carries. He racked 614 yards on just 88 carries, a blistering seven yards per carry. The average per carry might go down, but Evans could come close to doubling his yards as the No. 1 back for Michigan. He's also the third-leading returning receiver for Michigan, with Grant Perry back (for now). With Smith gone, the Wolverines need Evans to step up in a big way this year for the run-focused offense.
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DL Rashan Gary
The All-American hype around Gary is already here, and Michigan needs him to be the player everyone thinks he can be. The entire starting defensive line is gone (and most of the defense) and it's up to Gary to spearhead the new-look unit. The hype train for him is already at full speed for Gary. NFL.com ranked him as the No. 9 player in college football, a shockingly high ranking for a player who had 23 tackles, 5 TFLs and .5 sacks last year. Still, the talent is there and Michigan needs him to make the most of it.
CB Lavert Hill
This might as well be Hill and/or CB David Long. Both are sophomore CBs who didn't play much last year. But, Hill did have two tackles and a fumble recovery last year, while drawing praise from the staff. With Jourdan Lewis, Channing Stribling and Jeremy Clark gone, the Wolverines are banking on Hill stepping up as a starter. With the way Michigan likes to run man-to-man defense, Hill had better be ready.
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