Michigan Wolverines: Patrick Kugler
Analysis: 2013 offensive depth chart 
April, 30, 2013
Apr 30
9:10
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By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Spring practice has ended for Michigan and for the first time, the depth chart for the fall is beginning to take shape.
Yes, there will still be some big competitions on Michigan’s offense -- particularly at running back and wide receiver -- but there is now a better idea of who the Wolverines’ starting 11 will be in August when they open the season against Central Michigan.
WolverineNation takes a two-day look at what Michigan’s depth chart will be come fall, starting with the offense.
Quarterback
Yes, there will still be some big competitions on Michigan’s offense -- particularly at running back and wide receiver -- but there is now a better idea of who the Wolverines’ starting 11 will be in August when they open the season against Central Michigan.
WolverineNation takes a two-day look at what Michigan’s depth chart will be come fall, starting with the offense.
Quarterback
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WolverineNation Roundtable
March, 21, 2013
Mar 21
8:30
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By Chantel Jennings & Tom VanHaaren & Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
Every Thursday our writers debate and discuss three issues surrounding the Wolverines. Today, they look at kids who would’ve benefited from an early enrollment, some March Madness and some under-the-radar 2014 prospects.
1) Which 2013 signee who didn't enroll early would've benefited the most from doing so?
1) Which 2013 signee who didn't enroll early would've benefited the most from doing so?
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State of the Rivalry: Offensive line
February, 25, 2013
Feb 25
9:00
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By
Tom VanHaaren | ESPN.com
The writers at WolverineNation and BuckeyeNation put their heads together to break down the rivals' 2013 recruiting classes. They'll give readers a position-by-position look at who coaches Brady Hoke and Urban Meyer signed and, ultimately, which class edged out the other. It's too early to say what will happen through the next few seasons, and we won't make any promises except that Hoke and Meyer are going to put talent on the field.
Michigan got: Michigan landed the top offensive line class in 2013 for the entire country, so this battle was easy. The Wolverines landed six total offensive linemen, five of whom are within the ESPN 300.
Michigan landed four offensive linemen in 2012 and to build depth across the line, the coaching staff decided to take six in this class.
Michigan got: Michigan landed the top offensive line class in 2013 for the entire country, so this battle was easy. The Wolverines landed six total offensive linemen, five of whom are within the ESPN 300.
Michigan landed four offensive linemen in 2012 and to build depth across the line, the coaching staff decided to take six in this class.
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Borges recruits on his word, old game tape
February, 15, 2013
Feb 15
8:15
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By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Al Borges has fought an uphill battle. With old game film and an offense on the field only slightly resembling what he hopes is the end product, he has somehow made offensive recruiting work for Michigan.
For the Wolverines the past two years was a “yes, we’re recruiting you to play in a pro-style offense, but we can’t really show you that right now.” So Borges had to reach into the vaults and rely on game film from teams he coached who didn’t wear the winged helmet to show top prospects what they’d have the chance to be a part of at Michigan.
For the Wolverines the past two years was a “yes, we’re recruiting you to play in a pro-style offense, but we can’t really show you that right now.” So Borges had to reach into the vaults and rely on game film from teams he coached who didn’t wear the winged helmet to show top prospects what they’d have the chance to be a part of at Michigan.
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WolverineNation roundtable
February, 14, 2013
Feb 14
8:58
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By Chantel Jennings, Tom VanHaaren & Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
Each Thursday, the WolverineNation writers sit down to discuss three issues surrounding Michigan sports. This week, they check out future draft stock, the Big Ten basketball tournament and the 2014 class' signing day.
1. Looking at this year's true freshmen and sophomores on the football team, who do you think has the potential to go the earliest in the NFL draft when they declare?
Michael Rothstein: On principle, I'm not picking a true freshman here because development is such a fickle thing in college, so I'm looking at the sophomores and redshirt freshmen and immediately drawn to Devin Funchess. He had a strong freshman season and as the offense shifts from a hybrid to the pro style, his production should skyrocket. Combine that, his physical tools and how tight ends are being used in the NFL, and he screams potential first-rounder if everything progresses as it should.
1. Looking at this year's true freshmen and sophomores on the football team, who do you think has the potential to go the earliest in the NFL draft when they declare?
Michael Rothstein: On principle, I'm not picking a true freshman here because development is such a fickle thing in college, so I'm looking at the sophomores and redshirt freshmen and immediately drawn to Devin Funchess. He had a strong freshman season and as the offense shifts from a hybrid to the pro style, his production should skyrocket. Combine that, his physical tools and how tight ends are being used in the NFL, and he screams potential first-rounder if everything progresses as it should.
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Depth chart analysis: Right guard
January, 15, 2013
Jan 15
12:00
PM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
Over the next few weeks, WolverineNation will look at every position on the Michigan roster and give a depth chart analysis of each position on the roster heading into the offseason.
For three seasons, Patrick Omameh was a significant, serviceable option for Michigan at right guard. He would rarely wow anyone off the line with a crushing block, but he also had his moments going against quality defensive linemen almost every week.
Now, though, Omameh is gone and Michigan will lose its most experienced offensive lineman. In his place, no matter who it is, will be someone with almost none.
For three seasons, Patrick Omameh was a significant, serviceable option for Michigan at right guard. He would rarely wow anyone off the line with a crushing block, but he also had his moments going against quality defensive linemen almost every week.
Now, though, Omameh is gone and Michigan will lose its most experienced offensive lineman. In his place, no matter who it is, will be someone with almost none.
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Over the next few weeks, WolverineNation will look at every position on the Michigan roster and give a depth chart analysis of each heading into the offseason.
Two seasons ago, Michigan had the best center in the country, a guy with one heck of a mean streak and an edge that never really went away. Last season, the Wolverines had the opposite, a guy who might have been one of the more friendly players on the team and someone who was good in stretches and struggled in others.
For the third straight season, Michigan will have a new starting center and no matter who it is the player will have minimal to no experience.
Two seasons ago, Michigan had the best center in the country, a guy with one heck of a mean streak and an edge that never really went away. Last season, the Wolverines had the opposite, a guy who might have been one of the more friendly players on the team and someone who was good in stretches and struggled in others.
For the third straight season, Michigan will have a new starting center and no matter who it is the player will have minimal to no experience.
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Michigan's 2013 OL haul is much needed
January, 12, 2013
Jan 12
4:36
PM ET
By
Tom VanHaaren | ESPN.com
With six offensive line commitments, the Michigan coaching staff has turned a weakness into a strength. It's no secret that Michigan's offensive line was an area of concern in the 2012 season and it's easy to see the coaches were interested in fixing that problem.
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Final 150/300 mixed bag for U-M commits
January, 10, 2013
Jan 10
2:12
PM ET
By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The final ESPN150/300 rankings and class rankings were released on Thursday. A Michigan class that started out the 2013 teams rankings at No. 1 slipped again, mostly do to a precipitous drop for one prospect.
But the news wasn’t all bad, as one of the five offensive line commits in the class made a nice move up the charts.
But the news wasn’t all bad, as one of the five offensive line commits in the class made a nice move up the charts.
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Hackenberg, Olsen earn UA Game starts
January, 3, 2013
Jan 3
5:35
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Black Team offense
Quarterback: Christian Hackenberg (Penn State)Running back: Alvin Kamara
UNDER ARMOUR GAME 2013
Keep up with live blog posts, video, breaking news and more all week from the Under Armour All-America Game in Florida. Blog 
• Top 2 recruits Nkemdiche, Lawson 
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Tight end: O.J. Howard (Alabama)
Offensive tackle: Darius James (Texas), Denver Kirkland
Offensive guard: Grant Hill (Alabama), Joas Aguilar (Texas A&M)
Center: Hunter Bivin (Notre Dame)
Captains: Kelvin Taylor, Hunter Bivin, Robert Nkemdiche, Ben Boulware
Black Team defense
Defensive end: Robert Nkemdiche, Elijah DanielDefensive tackle: Greg Gilgmore (LSU), Kennedy Tulimasealii (Hawaii)
Inside linebacker: Ben Boulware (Clemson)
Outside linebacker: Alex Anzalone (Notre Dame), Matthew Thomas
Safety: Keanu Neal (Florida), Leon McQuay III
Cornerback: Vernon Hargreaves III (Florida), Tarean Folston (Notre Dame)
Black Team special teams
Long snapper: Tyler Kluver (Iowa)Kicker/punter: Sean Covington (UCLA)
White Team offense
Quarterback: Kevin Olsen (Miami)Running back: Keith Ford (Oklahoma)
Receiver: Laquon Treadwell, Ryan Green (Florida State), Jalin Marshall (Ohio State)
Tight end: Hunter Henry (Arkansas)
Offensive tackle: Derwin Gray (Maryland), Dorian Johnson (Pittsburgh)
Offensive guard: Patrick Kugler (Michigan), David Dawson (Michigan)
Center: Scott Quessenberry (UCLA)
White Team defense
Defensive end: Carl Lawson (Auburn), Joey Bosa (Ohio State)Defensive tackle: Henry Poggi (Michigan), Kelsey Griffin (South Carolina)
Inside linebacker: Reuben Foster, Yannick Ngakoue
Outside linebacker: Trey Johnson
Safety: Max Redfield, Antonio Conner
Cornerback: Gareon Conley (Ohio State), Shaq Wiggins (Georgia)
White Team special teams
Long snapper: Brendan TurelliKicker: Ryan Santoso (Minnesota)
Punter: Shane Tripucka
Captains: Ryan Green, Hunter Henry, Patrick Kugler, Reuben Foster
Michigan offensive line commit Patrick Kugler (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) is the No. 5 ranked offensive guard in the country, but is relatively quiet when it comes to recruiting and camps. Not much has been seen of him in person, but he has a chance to validate his ranking at the Under Armour All-America Game and practice against top competition.
Kugler, who will likely play center at Michigan, will be a viable option anywhere on the interior line during the UA game.
It's usually difficult for offensive linemen to shine in this setting because of the level of opposing competition and short amount of time to adjust, but if Kugler can hold his own he will show Michigan hit a home run with his commitment. Here is what the ESPN 150 lineman had to say about the game:
Kugler, who will likely play center at Michigan, will be a viable option anywhere on the interior line during the UA game.
It's usually difficult for offensive linemen to shine in this setting because of the level of opposing competition and short amount of time to adjust, but if Kugler can hold his own he will show Michigan hit a home run with his commitment. Here is what the ESPN 150 lineman had to say about the game:
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- As of the beginning of the 2012 football season, it seemed as though the Wolverines had pretty much secured the best offensive line classes they could’ve hoped for in the 2012 and 2013 classes. But when No. 1 offensive guard David Dawson (Detroit/Cass Tech) and Michigan parted ways, a few questions emerged. But even without Dawson, the O-line commits in Brady Hoke’s first two full classes still seem very strong.
Since that point the Michigan coaching staff has extended offers, re-extended offers and reached out to players who hadn’t been on the radar for months. To break down the search, here’s a timeline of O-line recruiting for this class.
Feb. 18: OT Chris Fox, OG Kyle Bosch and Dawson commit.
Since that point the Michigan coaching staff has extended offers, re-extended offers and reached out to players who hadn’t been on the radar for months. To break down the search, here’s a timeline of O-line recruiting for this class.
Feb. 18: OT Chris Fox, OG Kyle Bosch and Dawson commit.
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Kugler looking forward to life with Morris
September, 13, 2012
9/13/12
5:20
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Most high school seniors who have committed to Division I programs look forward to their freshman seasons in hopes of seeing what college life is all about.
Patrick Kugler (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) is already thinking past that.
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound offensive tackle for the Tigers will move over to guard or center for Michigan and is already thinking about playing in front of 2013 quarterback Shane Morris (Warren, Mich./De La Salle) down the line.
Patrick Kugler (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) is already thinking past that.
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound offensive tackle for the Tigers will move over to guard or center for Michigan and is already thinking about playing in front of 2013 quarterback Shane Morris (Warren, Mich./De La Salle) down the line.
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Now that prospects have had the opportunity to show off their skills at camps, combines and the king of them all, The Opening, ESPN scouts have deemed it necessary to update the rankings.
Michigan already had 11 commitments in the ESPN 150 and four more within the ESPN 300, and those numbers remain the same with the new update. Just as importantly, Michigan hangs onto the top spot in the class rankings.
There was some movement within those lists, though, both up and down for the future Wolverines.
Michigan already had 11 commitments in the ESPN 150 and four more within the ESPN 300, and those numbers remain the same with the new update. Just as importantly, Michigan hangs onto the top spot in the class rankings.
There was some movement within those lists, though, both up and down for the future Wolverines.
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ABOUT WOLVERINE NATION
Michael Rothstein
Michael Rothstein joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for AnnArbor.com, Notre Dame for the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Journal Gazette and a host of colleges for the Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg, Va.). A Syracuse graduate and an East Meadow, N.Y., native, he lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. He can be reached at michaelrothsteinespn@gmail.com.
Tom VanHaaren
Tom VanHaaren joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for three years at MGoBlog.com. VanHaaren and his wife currently reside in Royal Oak, Mich. He can be reached at TomVHESPN@gmail.com.
Chantel Jennings
Chantel Jennings joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering University of Michigan athletics for three years at The Michigan Daily. Chantel graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in English and Spanish and lives in Ann Arbor. She can be reached at jenningsespn@gmail.com.