This morning we covered the fall football bits on the offensive side of the ball, now in the afternoon we pivot to the defense. As a whole there's more real buzz in this piece than offense, but not a dramatic difference. It's been a relatively quiet camp so far. 

 

Defensive tackle 

What we want to hear: Kris Jenkins is approaching Mo Hurst territory (*gasp*), Mason Graham is making a mighty leap towards superstar status, Kenneth Grant is our beefy behemoth that cannot be moved, while Rayshaun Benny and Cam Goode help round out the deepest DT position in the B1G.  

What we're hearing: Of all the positional groups across these two fall football bits pieces, defensive tackle may be the one where "what we want to hear" is mostly closely matching "what we're hearing". Kris Jenkins has been the focus of nonstop praise throughout camp, often in association with a term like "the best player in fall camp" ($). Other reports have had a baby-like amazement at the reps in practice that pit Jenkins against the likes of Keegan and Zinter, with the two sides being described as equals to each other ($). Jesse Minter echoed that wonder in his media availability last week and then spoke about Jenkins' strides as a pass-rusher: 

Kris [Jenkins] has been obsessed with being better as a pass rusher since the day he stepped back here on campus. And it’s showing up. And so he’s moving really well, he’s still the same player against the run with 20 extra pounds

The Jenkins praise is also likely a function of his status as a veteran leader on this team, something he has that Mason Graham does not, which may be the only reason for the little bit more praise Jenkins is getting relative to Graham. Otherwise, though, the sources have been pouring the hype on Graham too. One source recognized Graham as one of the best players in this past weekend's scrimmage ($), also noting improvements he's made in pass-rushing. A different source echoed Graham's conquests at the scrimmage and used the term "fricking beast" to describe his destruction of the Michigan OL ($). 

Those two have gotten most of the praise in camp, with only small mentions of Kenneth Grant and Rayshaun Benny. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing either; when they pop up, it's mostly with the framing of "oh, those guys are good too", as a footnote after 758 lines of KRIS JENKINS IS GOD chatter. Grant did get mentioned in the same breath as the starters in a delectable line from JJ McCarthy: "Those three up front -- Mason, KG and Kris -- they're gonna be not fun for my fellow quarterback friends, that's for sure". Finally, Harbaugh gave perhaps another obligatory shoutout to players working hard in camp by mentioning two true freshmen at DT, Trey Pierce and Cameron Brandt, saying they "have been outstanding and came in right on time". 

What it means: Jenkins and Graham are your starters and there's a lot of reason to be HYPE about it. Benny and Grant are the backups and are probably fine. Cam Goode and maybe one of the freshmen round out the three-deep at DT.

[AFTER THE JUMP: positions where the starters probably aren't both going to be All-B1G]

 

[Patrick Barron]

Defensive end

What we want to hear: Michigan's loss of Mike Morris is no big deal because they are loaded with talented EDGEs. Derrick Moore is making a sophomore leap, Braiden McGregor is even stronger and more dangerous. Josaiah Stewart has seamlessly transferred up to the B1G, while Jaylen Harrell has even learned how to pass-rush effectively. 

What we're hearing: Much like defensive tackle, some pretty good things! Let's start with Stewart, who has received praise from numerous different sources, public and private. One source affirmed a comparison between Stewart and Josh Uche ($), while a different one noted Stewart's physical transformation in the weight room and asked the simple question, "how do we take this guy off the field?" ($). JJ said that Stewart is "gonna be great this year", while Jesse Minter publicly noted the contrasting abilities of Stewart and Harrell, but did say he believes that Stewart is big enough to play every down at EDGE, including against the run: 

Yeah, I think he is. I think good players certainly, like, if you build an ideal roster, you start with parameters for that position: size, height, weight, length. But then there’s always, there’s always an exception. And, there has to be a quality that boosts the guy up to be able to fit that position. And I think just No. 1, I like the tenacity he plays with, the pad level that he can play with, the power that he has. He may be like a power rusher, which sounds crazy. But he is a very, very powerful rusher and a powerful edge-setter because of his ability to play with leverage on people.

Stewart has been in a battle at the WDE EDGE spot with Jaylen Harrell, for whom chatter has been a bit quieter, which isn't terribly unepxected. Harrell's more of a known commodity, so less reason to hype him up. Minter did say that Harrell was having a great camp and is "starting to, I think, become even a better rusher". Make of that what you will. 

At the SDE spot, a battle between Braiden McGregor and Derrick Moore has been ongoing. One report noted that both players are bigger and appear to be better rushers ($), while Minter talked about how the competition between the two is bringing out the best in both of them: "Braiden [McGregor] and Derrick [Moore] are both having great camps, like, one day one, the next — you know. So it’s a blessing to have both of them, but you also like they push themselves, they make each other better, and make the whole line better". As a whole, though, rumors about the SDE spot have been quieter than those about the WDE position (or, I suppose, about Stewart specifically). 

Further down the EDGE depth chart, one name that has popped up again is TJ Guy. The Massachusetts native popped up in camp rumors last year and is doing so yet again, with Minter shouting him out as the fifth EDGE: "and then I think TJ Guy is also a guy so far in the first week and a half, roughly, that is trying to push his way into possibly being a fifth man in that rotation". Additionally, Harbaugh, in the same quote as the one where he braised Brandt and Trey Pierce, gave a bit of a nod towards true freshman Enow Etta as a player working hard and making a good impression. 

What it means: Moore and McGregor are probably close to an even split at SDE at this time, while Josaiah Stewart and Jaylen Harrell are probably more pigeonholed into run and pass roles at WDE, though maybe with Stewart showing more ability to do both. TJ Guy and maybe Enow Etta in the third-string capacity. 

 

[Patrick Barron]

Linebacker 

What we want to hear: Junior Colson is making another leap to the top of NFL Draft radars, Michael Barrett is back to reprise his role as a rock-solid starter while he's being pushed from behind by Ernest Hausmann and Jimmy Rolder, both of whom are rearing and ready to go. Depth is restored and no more borrowing Kalel Mullings out of desperation. 

What we're hearing: Of all the positions on defense, LB is the one with the least chatter, especially among the starters. Contrary to last summer, when there was plenty of Junior Colson talk despite him being a returning starter, this year Colson has largely been absent from reporting from the various insiders. The same could largely be said about Barrett, who spoke to the media as an Esteemed Veteran Leader but has had his name be missing from insider updates. Known Commodity effect. 

Rather, we've heard plenty about the backups, including one LB I didn't expect to hear much about: Jaydon Hood. Barrett was asked which LBs were impressing him in camp and immediately named Hood: "Jaydon Hood. I feel like he's made a big step from last year. He's coming along really fast, learning and being able to help us step into that next spot". Barrett's mention of Hood was confirmed by an insider later that day, who reported that Hood is on the two-deep at LB ($).

Presumably the other player on that two-deep is Ernest Hausmann, who has followed up a strong spring with a solid fall, per all the available reportage. Barrett mentioned Hasumann in the next sentence after concluding the Hood discussion, praising him for how quickly he's been able to pick up Michigan's defense. Insiders doubled down on that note, writing that Hausmann will have a real role on the team this season ($). Beyond that, we haven't heard much about Jimmy Rolder or any of the other reserve LBs, Micah Pollard and the likes. 

What it means: Colson and Barrett are your likely starters, but there's definitely a scenario where the talent and play of Ernest Hausmann forces his way into the lineup and allows Minter to use Barrett in more specific situations, like the VIPER-esque role MacDonald used him in back in 2021. Jaydon Hood and Jimmy Rolder are likely down the rotation but should soak up garbage time snaps and be good for the occasional drive to spell a starter, as Michigan lessens the load on Colson. 

 

[Patrick Barron]

Defensive Back 

[Note: I'm combining corner and safety here because there's significant overlap in how these two positions may be handled]

What we want to hear: Will Johnson is ascending to the throne of Chosen One, Mike Sainristil is ready to reprise his brilliance from 2022, Rod Moore and Makari Paige are the best safety tandem in the B1G and the #2 corner spot is overflowing with viable options. Josh Wallace has fit in seamlessly, Amorion Walker has made a jump in the summer, Jyaire Hill is more NCAA ready than expected, while Ja'Den McBurrows is fully healthy and coming for the starting job. 

What we're hearing: Most DB chatter has centered on CB2 because it's the only true question spot on the defense (no surprise there). Will Johnson mentions have been almost non-existent, which is to be expected considering there is little question about his abilities. The same could be said for the starting safeties Rod Moore and Makari Paige, who are inked into a starting capacity. When they have come up, it's been about the possibility that one could move to nickel if Mike Sainristil plays outside corner. Minter: 

I think some of our safeties have the ability to play maybe like the nickel position. Makari Paige, Rod Moore, Keon Sabb. So then you have Mikey, who I think can do — there’s times in practice where he lines up all over the field.

Harbaugh made it clear where he wants Sainristil, however: 

Mikey at corner. He can play both. We're at our best if he's at nickel

So what about CB2? A wrench thrown into the plans of an active CB2 battle has been an injury to Amorion Walker, who Harbaugh confirmed publicly this week is "working through something" but that the team expected him to be back within a week or so. Anecdotal reporting suggests it's a lower body injury, but I'll leave the juicier details behind the paywall (not to get all NHL injury reporting on you) ($). The sense from insider reporting is that Walker was not running away with the job when healthy and the injury only further puts him in a precarious position, as he needs the reps. That's not to say Walker was doing poorly, but Minter's quote was noticeably not rainbows and unicorns: 

It’s going to be for him about playing in front of 110,000 people, handling that moment, handling the mental side of play after play after play after play, the ability to respond, the ability to come back from good things, the ability to come back from bad things, and I’m very pleased with the progress I’ve seen from him so far

With Walker injured, the man seizing the moment is the trusty option, UMass transfer Josh Wallace. Wallace forged a tight relationship with Sainristil after arriving at Michigan, which appears to have aided in the competition. Insiders have described Wallace as the "most consistent" corner in the competition ($) and being favored to start the season opener ($). Minter noted that the learning curve for Wallace has been relatively easy and that his bond with Sainristil has helped in that regard. 

[Patrick Barron]

Beyond those two, the next name mentioned by Harbaugh after Johnson, Sainristil, and Wallace in his rundown of corners was Keshaun Harris, ending that sentence with "have been the top guys". After the sentence ended, he listed "Ja'Den McBurrows, Myles Pollard" before getting into the group of true freshmen. That press conference was the only mention we've heard of any of McBurrows, Pollard, or Harris, so it would seem at this time that they are probably behind Wallace and Walker in the battle for CB2 (though maybe Harris is in that). As you may expect, Harbaugh pointed out that CB2, like the tackle and center battle I talked about in the offense bits piece, will bleed into the season and see rotation in the non-con portion ($). 

One final note on DBs: we got a bit of information about the competition for first safety off the bench. One insider posted recently that sophomores Zeke Berry and Keon Sabb are battling neck-and-neck for the job and that the staff feels both players have bright futures ($). No mention of Quinten Johnson at this point. 

What it means: Rod Moore and Makari Paige are your starting safeties, Will Johnson is CB1, and Michigan will only move Sainristil outside if they absolutely have to. Expect the first 4+ weeks of the season to be a tryout for CB2, with Wallace likely getting the opportunity to "start" week one, but that is starter in name only. Wallace may have the leg up on Walker for now, but that one is far from settled.

The other corners seem further behind, but perhaps Keshaun Harris is in the mix, which I guess is good news for Craig Ross, who brings up Harris every single time I discuss CB2 with him. Reserve safeties are Sabb and Berry, but maybe a slight lean towards Sabb. There is a scenario where Michigan starts Sainristil outside, moves Moore to nickel, and Sabb/Berry is a starter at true safety, but it's clear they prefer the world where one of Wallace, Walker, or Harris are viable CB2s. 

 

[Patrick Barron]

Special Teams

What we want to hear: Tommy Doman is living up to the 6* punter reputation, while James Turner and Adam Samaha is a battle that may go down to the wire because both are legitimately star kickers. The loss of AJ Henning is not affecting anything in the return game because Michigan has grown a new returner in a lab. 

What we're hearing: The needle seems to be pointing toward James Turner at kicker, with multiple sources indicating that he has the lead over Samaha at this time ($). Doman has a hold of the punter job, as expected, with very little discussion over how he's performing other than that he's the guy. Returner is where more special teams discussion has taken place and there's no reason to tease insider info here. I'll just let Jim Harbaugh spell it out: 

Right now that’s a good competition,” Harbaugh said. “Mike Sainristil, Kalel Mullings, Donovan Edwards has been really good in punt return. Jake Thaw — right there at the top. Keshaun Harris, Karmello English, Tyler Morris. Kick returner: Kalel, Roman Wilson, Eamonn Dennis could be extremely, extremely good. 

If you read my offense football bits, you're probably screaming "where is the Alex Orji tidbit!?!?!" He was not mentioned in that answer, but rather had an entire answer to himself from Harbaugh about the possibility of him as a kick returner. Make of that what you will. 

What it means: Doman is the punter, Turner is the kicker unless an injury intervenes or a drastic turn of fortune. Probably not an indictment of Samaha either, just that Turner is the known quantity and that's what it makes sense to go with. As for returner, hard to know other than the Orji proposition is probably experimental rather than something destined to happen. I'd lean towards Roman Wilson as KR, while the crystal ball is foggy at PR. Ask again later.