The day he announced he had decided to accept a $17 million offer to play baseball for the New York Yankees and pass up his senior season at Michigan, Drew Henson was asked if his departure killed any chance the Wolverines had of challenging for the Big Ten title.

Henson shook his head.

"Michigan is Michigan," he said simply.

"Long after Coach (Lloyd) Carr, me and my teammates are gone, Michigan will still be here and it will still be successful. ... The team will be fine. The coaching staff is outstanding. My teammates will be motivated. I don't worry about them at all."

He might not, but Carr certainly has good reason to.

With Henson's surprising announcement during the first week of spring practice, Michigan was suddenly left with an offense that bore no resemblance to the one that tore through the Big Ten last season.

U-M expected it had to do a rebuilding job on offense. Tailback Anthony Thomas, Michigan's all-time leading rusher, had graduated. So had four-fifths of the offensive line. Junior wide receiver David Terrell jumped to the NFL.

Those were all tremendous hits. Henson's departure was like being blindsided.

"That offense was awfully special," Carr said. "It's as good an offense as I've been around."

The cupboard isn't exactly bare. It never is at Michigan. But Carr has never had a rebuilding job like this one.

Carr is hoping the young guys watched and learned. Some even learned by doing, most notably third-year sophomore quarterback John Navarre and sophomore tailback Chris Perry.

Navarre started the first four games of last season in place of the injured Henson. In his first two appearances, he completed more than 73 percent of his passes, throwing seven touchdowns and no interceptions in wins against Bowling Green and Rice. After those two games, he led the nation in passing efficiency.

But he struggled when the Wolverines hit the road. He completed just 1 of 10 passes and threw his only interception of the season in the second half of a 23-20 loss at UCLA, and had trouble moving the offense in the first half at Illinois the following weekend.

Henson replaced him for the final series of the first half in that game, and Navarre returned to his backup role.

Perry was Michigan's second-leading rusher last season as a true freshman, carrying the ball 77 times for 417 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry -- the same as Thomas.

Highly regarded freshmen Kelly Baraka was expected to fight for playing time, but he won't play this season after arrests on marijuana possession charges, in May and July. That leaves another freshman -- David Underwood -- to compete for playing time at tailback with veterans Walter Cross and Ryan Beard.

Terrell was one of the best big-play receivers ever to play at Michigan, but the Wolverines had depth to spare at that position. Senior Marquise Walker, who averaged 14.3 yards a catch last season, is likeliest to become Michigan's go-to receiver.

Only two returning offensive linemen have appreciable playing experience.

Jonathan Goodwin started at right guard during the final nine games of the season. His backup, Ben Mast, started the first three games of the season at that position. Goodwin could remain at guard, or he might move to center to help stabilize the line.

Sophomores Tony Pape and Demeterious Solomon are expected to step into the tackle spots. Fifth-year senior Kurt Anderson, juniors Joe Denay and Dave Petruziello (a converted defensive lineman) and sophomore Courtney Morgan all have designs on an interior line position.

Carr said he believes the defense, which gave up record yardage totals in losses at Purdue and Northwestern, will be much improved this season. Eight starters return, as do senior defensive lineman Jake Frysinger and junior strong safety Cato June, who both sat out last season with injuries.

Fifteen of Michigan's top 17 tacklers return. The Wolverines are especially strong at linebacker, with a trio of returning starters: seniors Eric Brackins and Larry Foote and junior Victor Hobson. Also back are several quality backups, including sophomore Carl Diggs.

The much-maligned secondary should be better. Veterans Todd Howard, Julius Curry, Jeremy LeSueur and Brandon Williams will be pushed for playing time by four freshmen: cornerbacks Marlin Jackson and Markus Curry and safeties Ernest Shazor and Jacob Stewart.

Frysinger's return is expected to bolster a defensive front that struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks last season.

Juniors Dan Rumishek and Shawn Lazarus and sophomores Grant Bowman and Norman Boebert all should benefit from last season's experience and another offseason in the weight room.

Michigan's rush linebackers -- Larry Stevens, Shantee Orr and Alain Kashama -- are all young, but possess the potential to dramatically improve the pass rush.

Lindy's Football Annuals (National, SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10, ACC, plus Pro) are available at newsstands regionally, or can be ordered as a set at www.lindyssports.com, or by calling 1-205-871-1182.