Returning starters are a primary reason the Michigan football program is already a trendy College Football Playoff and Big Ten Championship pick for the 2016 season.
The Wolverines return eight starters on the offense as well as six starters and six key rotational pieces defensively.
Many names—like Jehu Chesson, Jake Butt, Jabrill Peppers and Jourdan Lewis—are obvious starters, but Michigan will have a couple of new and important faces in the lineup.
Broken down by position, this list identifies leading candidates, top competition and possible developments before offering a final prediction for 2016 starters.