Attrition can be a confusing process for college football fans, as rosters overturn due to graduation, transfers and early exits into the NFL draft almost every offseason.
The Michigan football team is loaded with veteran players who will graduate in April and move on to the NFL or other trades, but some of the players listed as "seniors" on the official roster might have eligibility remaining.
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So who's staying and who's leaving? Here's a look at the players the Wolverines will lose before the 2017 season.
K/P Kenny Allen
Reason: Graduation
Fans rarely miss kickers and punters, but Michigan will definitely miss Allen when it turns to a new special teams guru in 2017. Allen earned Big Ten second team honors as a punter and an honorable mention as a field goal kicker. He averaged 43.3 yards per punt in his first full season as Michigan's primary punter and landed 24 punts inside the 20-yard line. He also booted 18 punts of at least 50 yards. In the kicking game, Allen overcame a shaky start to convert 19 of 23 field goals. He was automatic late in the season, including in Michigan's biggest games against Iowa, Ohio State and Florida State. After missing two field goals against Wisconsin, the former Fenton Tiger converted 15 straight to end his career. He never missed an extra point, going 99-99 as a Wolverine.
OL Ben Braden
Reason: Graduation
Michigan took advantage of Braden's versatility this season, starting him four times at left guard and six times at left tackle. The fifth-year senior was named to the All-Big Ten second team and finished his career having played in 37 games.
TE Jake Butt
Reason: Graduation
Despite suffering a devastating leg injury early in the Orange Bowl loss to Florida State, Butt was one of the top tight ends in the nation this season. He's a matchup nightmare for defenses and will still be selected in the middle rounds of the NFL draft. Butt caught 138 passes for 1,646 yards and 11 touchdowns in his Michigan career, cementing himself as one of the best tight ends in school history.
DE Taco Charlton
Reason: Graduation
Charlton was just part of the defensive line rotation his first two seasons at Michigan, but after picking up 5.5 sacks as a junior, he exploded in 2016 and became Michigan's most dangerous defensive lineman. Charlton made 9.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2016 -- he even batted down two passes. After an dominant Orange Bowl performance in which he became a one-man pass rush, Charlton is likely to be a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft. He finishes with 94 tackles, 18.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss in his Michigan football career.
WR Jehu Chesson
Reason: Graduation
Harbaugh named Chesson his team MVP in 2015, and the St. Louis native decided to return for a fifth season. Chesson's numbers took a big drop, as he caught only 35 passes for 500 yards and two touchdowns. He finished his career with solid numbers, though, catching 114 passes for 1,639 yards and 12 touchdowns. He hopes to be selected in the 2017 NFL draft and will certainly get a chance to make a roster.
S Anthony Dalimonte
Reason: Graduation
Michigan coaches voted Dalimonte their scout team player of the year, but a Twitter post appeared to hint that Dalimonte will not be returning for a fifth year. "Thank you for an amazing four years," Dalimonte tweeted, in part, after the Orange Bowl loss to Florida State.
WR Amara Darboh
Reason: Graduation
Darboh became Michigan's No. 1 receiver this season, catching 57 passes for 862 yards and seven touchdowns. In three seasons as a major offensive contributor, Darboh racked up 151 catches for 2,062 yards and 14 touchdowns. He will likely get a chance to play on an NFL roster.
OL David Dawson
Reason: Graduate transfer
After getting limited action in each of the last three seasons, Dawson announced on Twitter that he will play his final season as a graduate transfer at another school. Dawson played on the offensive and defensive lines against Rutgers this season and appeared in 12 games throughout his career.
LB Ben Gedeon
Reason: Graduation
A role player his first three seasons, Gedeon was a breakout player on defense this season, making 106 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Gedeon was all over the field for Michigan, swarming to the ball and become one of the team's top tacklers. He was named Michigan's top linebacker and earned All-Big Ten second team honors from the media and All-Big Ten third team honors from the coaches. Gedeon should have a chance to make an NFL roster.
DT Ryan Glasgow
Reason: Graduation
Glasgow didn't light up the stat sheet throughout his Michigan career, but he was one of the best run stoppers in the Big Ten. A member of the All-Big Ten second team, Glasgow made 42 tackles, four sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss this season. In his career, he made 91 tackles, five sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss. Glasgow's ability to win one-on-one blocks and get pressure will make him an draft pick on the interior defensive line.
DT Matthew Godin
Reason: Graduation
Godin quietly started all but one game for the Wolverines this season, and made 26 tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss. He finished his Michigan career with 52 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention from the coaches this season.
FB Bobby Henderson
Reason: Graduation
Henderson earned his first career carry against Illinois in 2016 and finished the season with 37 yards and a touchdown on five carries. He played in all 12 regular-season games due to his blocking ability from the fullback position. Henderson also caught a 23-yard pass.
S Delano Hill
Reason: Graduation
Better roster management by former Michigan head coach Brady Hoke probably would have allowed Hill to play one more season in Ann Arbor, but due to his contributions on special teams in 2013, the Cass Tech graduate is out of eligibility. Hill started 20 games at safety during his final two seasons, including every 2016 game at strong safety. In four seasons, Hill made 119 tackles and defended five passes. He finished 2016 with three interceptions.
TE Michael Jocz
Reason: Graduation
Jocz didn't see the field much in his first four seasons, but made a quiet impact in 2016. He played all 12 games on offense and special teams after moving to tight end under Harbaugh. He also made an enormous play against Colorado, blocking a punt that was recovered for a touchdown after the Wolverines fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter. His first career catch came against UCF -- a 12-yard gain.
OG Kyle Kalis
Reason: Graduation
Kalis was named to the All-Big Ten second team this season after starting every game for Michigan at right guard. He was named to the All-Big Ten third team in 2015 and played in 49 games at Michigan, making 42 starts at right guard. The Wolverines will need to fill the open right guard position next season after it was consistently occupied by Kalis the last two seasons.
CB Jourdan Lewis
Reason: Graduation
Perhaps the best player on the whole team, Lewis earned All-American honors from AFCA, AP, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News and FWAA this season despite missing the first three weeks due to an injury. The Detroit native and Cass Tech product is a sure-fire NFL draft pick and will be one of the top secondary players on the board. He made six interceptions in his career and defended 39 passes. His one-handed, falling-backward interception to seal Michigan's win against Wisconsin this season will go down as his No. 1 college highlight.
OT Erik Magnuson
Reason: Graduation
Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan coaching staff named Magnuson the team's top offensive lineman at the banquet in December. The California native started every game at right tackle for the second straight season. He was also named to the All-Big Ten first team by the coaches and the media this season. Magnuson made 36 starts and appeared in 45 games throughout his Michigan football career.
QB Shane Morris
Reason: Graduate transfer
With Wilton Speight taking over the starting job, John O'Korn cementing himself as the backup quarterback and young talent like Brandon Peters and Dylan McCaffrey in waiting, Morris announced Jan. 2 that he will transfer to another school for his final year of eligibility. As a graduate at the University of Michigan, Morris will be allowed to enroll and play immediately next season. He threw for 434 yards and five interceptions at Michigan, appearing in five games in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
S AJ Pearson
Reason: Graduation
Pearson redshirted his freshman season, but played in all 13 games as a fifth-year senior in 2016. Contributing mostly on special teams, Pearson made seven tackles this season.
LB Jabrill Peppers
Reason: Declared for NFL draft
Michigan's star defender announced Tuesday that he will enter the 2017 NFL draft and forgo his final two years of college eligibility. Peppers starred in all three phases under Jim Harbaugh, scoring five touchdowns on offense, making 21.5 tackles for loss on defense and becoming one of the most feared punt returners in the country throughout his career. Though injury kept him out of bowl games each of the last two seasons, Peppers will be remembered as one of the most exciting players in the modern era of Michigan football.
OL Ben Pliska
Reason: Graduation
Pliska was a scout team player this season after appearing in one game his first four seasons (2013). He also played some snaps at center in Michigan's opener against Hawaii.
RB De'Veon Smith
Reason: Graduation
Smith will graduate after spending four years in Michigan's regular running back rotation. As a true freshman he earned 26 carries and gained 117 yards. Now, he finishes his college football career with 2,235 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 495 carries.
CB Channing Stribling
Reason: Graduation
Stribling really came into his own as a senior, earning All-Big Ten second team honors and staring all 13 games at cornerback. He picked off four passes and returned one for a touchdown against Hawaii. He finishes his career with six interceptions and 16 passes defended, all of which came in his final two years. Stribling will likely get a chance to play in the NFL.
LS Scott Sypniewski
Reason: Graduate transfer
Michigan's starting long snapper posted on his Twitter bio that he is "pursuing a graduate transfer for the 2017 season" after spending four years at the University of Michigan. Sypniewski appeared in every game the last two seasons and made up an important part of Michigan's strong kicking unit. He finished his Michigan career having played in 35 games.
S Dymonte Thomas
Reason: Graduation
After four seasons in Michigan's secondary, Thomas will graduate and pursue a career in at the professional level. A full-time starter at safety in 2016, Thomas knocked down nine passes and made his only career interception. He also recorded 70 tackles this season and 128 in his career.
DE Chris Wormley
Reason: Graduation
This loss will hurt for Michigan, and not only because Wormley was extremely disruptive on the field, but also because he was a team captain and a leader in the locker room. Wormley put together an extremely consistent career after redshirting in 2012. He had 18 sacks in four seasons, including 6.5 as a junior and six as a senior. His 14.5 tackles for loss in 2015 dropped to nine his senior season, but he finished with an impressive 33 in four years. Wormley also made 123 tackles in his career after reaching at least 40 each of the last two seasons.
UNCLEAR FUTURES
Jeremy Clark: Harbaugh is attempting to get Clark another year of eligibility after he was injured against Penn State. Clark would almost surely be a starting cornerback for Michigan next season, if he is allowed to return.
Greg Froelich: The senior offensive lineman hasn't seen game action for the Wolverines.
Ty Isaac: The former USC transfer could play another season at Michigan, where he was a contributor in a revolving door at running back in 2016.
Drake Johnson: Johnson could join an already-crowded running back group if granted a sixth year of eligibility due to injury.
Patrick Kugler: The former five-star offensive lineman didn't play as a freshman, so could return for a fifth year. He only appeared in five games in 2016, but Michigan loses three starters on the offensive line, so he could see an increased role. His most valuable asset is versatility -- he played both guard positions and center this season.
Garrett Miller: Miller didn't play his first three seasons, but appeared in four games this year, making five total tackles.
Wyatt Shallman: Shallman could take a redshirt from his freshman year. He played on special teams this season and has played in 11 games at Michigan.
Jack Wangler: Wangler didn't play as a freshman, so he could return for a fifth year. He appeared sparingly the last three years.
Michael Wroblewski: Though he didn't play his first three seasons, Wroblewski was awarded a scholarship during fall camp. The former walk-on played in nine games this season, making four tackles.
RETURNING PLAYERS
Mason Cole: Though only a true junior, Cole had the opportunity to declare for the NFL draft and be an early-round pick. Instead, he'll return as the senior leader of Michigan's offensive line after being named to the All-Big Ten second team. Cole could stick at center next year or move to another position on the line, depending on the Wolverines' needs.
Khalid Hill: Hill is a fan favorite at fullback after scoring 13 touchdowns for the Wolverines this season. He only gained 39 yards on the ground and 118 yards on 16 catches, but he found the end zone 13 times. He'll be the team's lead fullback as a fifth-year senior.
Maurice Hurst: Another player who could have gone pro, Hurst is returning to Michigan for a fifth year. Hurst will likely be a starting defensive tackle with the departures of Glasgow and Godin. He made 4.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss as a member of the regular rotation this season and figures to be one of Michigan's most disruptive defensive linemen in 2017.
Mike McCray: One of the most improved players on the team this season, McCray made 76 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss as a starting linebacker this season. He will return for a fifth year, he announced, and become the Woverines' only returning defensive starter. His interception return for a touchdown sparked Michigan's furious comeback in the Orange Bowl and put the team in position to pick up a New Year's Six bowl win.
Garrett Moores: The Holder of the Year announced he will return to Michigan for his fifth season. Moores was a critical cog to Michigan's special teams unit, which will break in a new kicker in 2017.
John O'Korn: Michigan's backup quarterback announced he would be back for another season after playing behind Speight in 2016.
Henry Poggi: Poggi made the switch to fullback under Harbaugh and has turned into a solid blocker out of the backfield. He announced he'll return for a fifth year.
How will the Wolverines make up for these losses? Check out some of the latest Michigan football recruiting headlines:
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