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In 2014, Chase Winovich was rated the seventh-best prospect from Pennsylvania and the No. 23 outside linebacker. Since then, he’s hardly seen the field, and that’s not entirely the 4-star’s fault.

Winovich started his Michigan career as Jake Ryan’s eventual successor at middle linebacker. Then, Winovich spent the 2015 campaign at tight end before moving to defensive end this offseason.

“I was talking to some family members, and I have said this before and usually gets laughs, but it’s true, my name is Chase, my goal and my heart was on the defense,” Winovich said, according to Josh Newkirk of Scout.

The redshirt sophomore took reps with the first-string defense during the spring. Even if he doesn’t start, Winovich should be a key member of the rotation.

Although he’s likely a familiar name, Dymonte Thomas has never held a full-time starting role. Jarrod Wilson’s departure at free safety has offered Thomas the chance.

The senior—who was the No. 71 overall player in the 2013 class—understands he needs to be a vocal leader of the defense, according to ESPN’s Dan Murphy.

“Everyone is going to count on you and look at you,” Thomas said. “If anything goes wrong, everyone is going to blame you, so you might as well make the right checks, make the right calls, get everyone lined up, play fast and have fun.”

Thomas has totaled 58 tackles during three seasons of action. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he eclipses the mark in 2016 alone.

Similarly, a majority—if not all—of people familiar with the Wolverines know about Ben Gedeon. Still, the 4-star linebacker has never contributed in a leading role.

Gedeon tallied a career-best 34 stops last season and made a spot start for James Ross III, who was suspended for the opening half against Michigan State.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh praised the senior during spring practice, saying “I think Ben Gedeon is a stud,” per Newkirk.

Gedeon will be the middle linebacker in 2016. Barring injury, he won’t leave the field much.

Setbacks have overshadowed Mike McCray‘s college career after arriving at Michigan as the No. 130 overall prospect in 2013.

McCray took a redshirt initially and was a backup in 2014, when the linebacker managed two tackles over 11 appearances. He missed 2015 because of an undisclosed injury.

Despite all of that, the 6’4″, 240-pound McCray has made a positive impression on his teammates.

“He’s a very talented linebacker,” cornerback Jourdan Lewis said, per Steve Kornacki of the school’s official site. “He can cover, he can come up and hit. He’s real physical. He’s instinctive. He’s everything you want in a linebacker. So, when you see a guy like that getting his chance and being fully healthy, it’s a great thing.”

McCray is the leading candidate to start alongside Gedeon and opposite Jabrill Peppers at outside linebacker.

Last August, Harbaugh and Co. ranked the players on the Wolverines roster. According to Zach Shaw of the Michigan Daily, Harbaugh said on the Michigan Insider that Bryan Mone was No. 3.

A broken ankle sidelined Mone for the entire 2015 campaign, however. It’s safe to assume the coaches are looking forward to his playing a healthy season, though the 2014 4-star needs to get comfortable first.

“I’m still a little rusty on the little stuff, my technique, especially my feet and my hands,” Mone said near the end of spring practice, according to Max Bultman of the Detroit Free Press. “But I feel like I’m stronger, more explosive, faster.”

Mone appeared in 12 contests as a true freshman, but he’s poised to be a full-time starter on Michigan’s outstanding defensive line.

All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.