Games Played through 13: LB and DB
I don't really know how to read this since special teams play is probably very common for tackle-y and speedy guys like LB, DB, and WR.
Meaningful LB play seems (by my untrained eye test) to include only 3 guys: Barrett, Colson, and Rolder. While two of those players are a sophomore and a freshmen, the names behind them are very untested. Could be an interesting year next year in the second level of the defense.
DBs look deep but are also pretty old so we'll need young guys like Sabb, Jones, Berry, and Pollard to step up and fill in alongside Moore and Johnson. Keeping Sainristil another year is HUGE and if Moten and Page continue improving, I think we'll have a solid rotation of experience, youth, and skill next year too.
December 6th, 2022 at 9:18 AM ^
Sainristil, barring injury, is making a good choice. This is his first year making the move over to defense and while he has some buzz, another solid year should really boost his draft stock.
Plus his coming back will really help anchor the secondary.
This year's defense only area that seems not-as-strong as last year is in the LB but showed improvement.
December 6th, 2022 at 9:26 AM ^
Agree. Hoping he got some NIL money to come back so he's guaranteed to make some money.
Not sure how well he'll test, seems to have game speed more than testing speed. A nickel not running a 4.40 could drop to the later rounds and be fighting for a roster spot.
December 6th, 2022 at 1:00 PM ^
Jordan Lewis ran 4.55 and starts at NB for the C Boys
December 6th, 2022 at 9:26 AM ^
Assuming we get a healthy NHG back next year, defense looks primed to not take a major step back
December 6th, 2022 at 10:21 AM ^
As long as Jesse Minter stays (my heart skips a beat everytime I see a job opening with his name on it), our defense is gonna be RIDICULOUS next year.
D-line is absolutely stacked, and we might have an actual pass rush again! Between Okie, Derrick Moore and MacGregor, you've got 3 lottery tickets to find a solid Ojabo look-a-like. Add in the solid but not as flashy Harrell and Upshaw (they all have 1 year left, right?), DE is well covered. And for the 2nd year in a row, the interior should be a brick wall with fully weaponized versions of Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Kris Jenkins, Rashaun Benny and George Rooks.
Linebacker is probably the least deep, but with Colson, NHG and Rolder, that's a good 3-man rotation. And if Barrett has another year, that only helps, but I assume he's out.
Secondary is also stacked give or take a 2nd and 3rd cornerback. Will Johnson becomes the Dax Hill/Jabril Peppers (aka the 5* who takes away half the field by himself), Sainristil locks down the other half, and Moore/Paige/Moten make for an experienced trio on the backend. Add in the youth who haven't seen the field much (your Sabbs, Pollards, Berrys, McBurrows, etc.) and just wow.
Seth and Brian will probably have to fight over who gets to hype up the defense in next year's HTTV.
December 6th, 2022 at 9:29 AM ^
Plus we are leaving out Nikhail Hill-Green who started almost every game last season and seems like he had a Jaxon Smith-Njigba nagging type injury all of 2022.
All goes well your 2023 depth chart looks like:
LB: Colson, Rolder, Spurlock, Bridgeman, Hewlett
LB: NHG/Barrett, Hood, Micah Pollard, Ishmail
CB: Johnson, Kody Jones
CB: McBurrows, Myles Pollard, Calhoun
N: Sainristil, Berry
S: Paige, Moten, Dent
S: Moore, Sabb
Add in potential guys like Cypress (UVA All-ACC CB) from the portal, Jyaire Hill (4* CB Michigan in top 2 for), Aaron Gates (4* CB Michigan in top 2) and DJ Waller (3* M leads crystal ball) the back 7 looks pretty stocked for the years to come.
December 6th, 2022 at 9:48 AM ^
Any chance gemon or dj could come back? Otherwise may be nice to get a grad transfer corner if possible….
December 6th, 2022 at 10:24 AM ^
I think both have a Covid year, but they're likely out the door to the NFL. NIL could entice them back since I don't think they'll be high on the draft boards due to either height concerns (Turner) or lack of overall speed/gangly arms (Green).
December 6th, 2022 at 1:03 PM ^
When did 6' become short for a corner?
December 6th, 2022 at 9:44 AM ^
DB seems solid for next year. Quite a few returning starters and highly-regarded younger players.
LB is a little concerning. Seemed like we schemed around it nicely this year, but a little grad transfer depth would be nice. Seems like Michigan would be an attractive destination for an LB who's looking for considerable playing time in a high-profile atmosphere on a championship-level team!
December 6th, 2022 at 9:52 AM ^
I think colson, NHG, rolder, and maybe barrett all with another year of experience in this scheme would be quite good in my opinion.
December 6th, 2022 at 11:34 AM ^
Plus Mullings, while not a stud, can be your number 5 and contribute 10 snaps a game if needed.
December 6th, 2022 at 10:01 AM ^
Secondary could be incredible next year. If Johnson makes a sophomore leap he could be a true lockdown cb. Add getting Sainristil in year two on d, along with another year of experience for Moore at safety, and hopefully a berry or Sabb stepping up and it could be one of the best secondaries in the country.
December 6th, 2022 at 10:35 AM ^
Will looked lost at times this season, but the last few games he's really looked locked in.... We might be seeing the beginning of his sophomore leap right now. if so, that kid is going to be scary good!
December 6th, 2022 at 10:40 AM ^
After seeing what Rudock, Danna and now Olu have accomplished as transfers, you would expect Michigan to be viewed as a solid destination for talented guys looking to polish their skills and raise their profiles. Adding a DB and TE (with the transfers out) would be good off season moves.
December 6th, 2022 at 10:51 AM ^
You would think that. But you would also think that top end Edge, OL, RB, and TE recruits would be kicking the door down to play here, too. Crootin is weird.
December 6th, 2022 at 11:00 AM ^
Grad transfers are somewhat tough to bank on because the ones who are true difference makers often would be off to the nfl. Olu is obviously the peak outcome.
December 6th, 2022 at 10:44 AM ^
Joey V collecting rings like Thanos collects infinity stones. Dude has 3 in 2 years.
December 6th, 2022 at 11:11 AM ^
As long as they have 4 playable guys for the 2 inside LB spots we should be fine. There’s enough overlap with what’s coming back, young guys, and what’s coming down the pipe to work. Kind of the benefit of having only 2 true backers in the scheme.
December 6th, 2022 at 11:26 AM ^
LB still feels thin. DB looks good, especially with Mikey Sainristil coming back.