PREDICTING MICHIGAN’S DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART FOLLOWING THE SPRING GAME

Seven members of the Michigan Wolverines’ top-ranked defense are off to the NFL, leaving many vacant starting roles.

Now that we’re wrapped up with spring ball, let’s take a look at what the defensive depth chart could look like.

Edge

Starters - Josaiah Stewart, Derrick Moore

Rotational - TJ Guy, Kechaun Bennett, Enow Etta, Cameron Brandt

Depth - Aymeric Koumba, Dominic Nichols, Breeon Ishmael, Chibi Anwunah, Tyler McLaurin

Nothing changes at the top, as Stewart and Moore will be the starters. Perhaps the most notable rise was Guy, who we’ve been hearing great things about all spring. FOX analyst Joel Klatt sang his praises on The Joel Klatt Show on Tuesday.

“TJ Guy in rotation is going to be important. Now, is he going to be asked to be in a star, leading role, get 10 sacks? No. But if he’s a guy that can have production, can be on the field in critical moments against big opponents, that’s going to help them become a bigger defense overall, because then the starters — like Josaiah Stewart — won’t have to play the kinds of snaps he would otherwise have to play. So a guy like TJ Guy would be very important,” Klatt said.

Bennett also had a sack on Saturday. Add on the 11 games of playing time he had last season, and he should also see a more significant role in 2024.

Brandt will likely command the same after a sack in the contest and several appearances last season. He may be more built for the interior, same with Etta, but due to their versatility, we’re also putting them with the edges.

Koumba had a couple pressures and had an impressive game alongside freshman Dominic Nichols.

Interior Defensive Line

Starters - Kenneth Grant, Mason Graham

Rotational - Reyshaun Benny, Enow Etta

Depth - Brooks Bahr, Trey Pierce

Grant and Graham may be the best interior duo in college football in 2024. It’s going to be extremely difficult for opposing linemen to control the line of scrimmage up the gut.

Behind them, Benny will continue to be a key role player, especially after the departures of Cam Goode and Kris Jenkins. I suspect we see quite a bit of Etta in a similar rotational role due to the lack of depth at the position currently.

It seems this could be a position the Wolverines may address in the transfer portal with not much experienced depth on the inside. Plus, I’m not sure any of these guys (with the exception of Grant) could qualify as a true nose tackle.

Linebackers

Starters - Jaishawn Barham, Ernest Hausmann

Rotational - Jimmy Rolder, Jayden Hood

Depth - Hayden Moore, Jeremiah Beasley, Semaj Bridgeman, Micah Pollard

Similar to the last few seasons, I think we see a healthy mix of rotation from the entire defense, linebackers included. Barham is being hailed as one of the best returning linebackers in college football and Hausmann is right there with him.

After that is Jimmy Rolder, who linebacker coach Brian Jean-Mary said has “a chance to be a very, very productive player.” He performed well in the spring game, earning a sack, and it’s likely he is the third linebacker depending on the formation.

We’ll also see some more of Jaydon Hood, who played in 12 games last season, mostly on special teams.

Coaches should be really happy with the overall health of the linebacker room heading into the fall with depth pieces like Pollard, Moore, Beasley and Bridgeman.

Cornerback

Starters - Will Johnson, DJ Waller

Nickel- Ja’Den McBurrows

Rotational - Jyaire Hill, Zeke Berry, Keshaun Harris

Depth - Kody Jones, Myles Pollard

Many questioned who would play opposite of Will Johnson in 2024, and it’s still very much up for debate. Waller should be the current favorite, but it would be unwise to count out the more experienced McBurrows and the rising sophomore in Hill.

The biggest shoes to fill will be that of Mike Sainristil, who lined up all over the secondary. Berry looked flashed at times in the nickel and could be a starter after the spring he has had.

Safety

Starters - Makari Paige, Zeke Berry

Rotational - Quinten Johnson

Depth - Brandyn Hillman, Jacob Oden

When Rod Moore went down with an ACL tear this spring, the Michigan defense took a huge hit, and many expected there to be some intrigue from the coaching staff in the transfer portal.

But Berry took a monstrous step after that, and it feels like the return of Quentin Johnson makes this safety room whole. Makari Paige will clearly be returning to his role as a starter, too.

There could still be some movement in the portal, but it doesn’t feel like nearly as dire of a need at the top because of how the spring panned out for the group.

2024-04-24T16:01:59Z dg43tfdfdgfd