Last trip down the bits until fall, as the spring game will get its own coverage next week and then it's just cold, dark offseason punctuated by Hello posts and HTTV work.

Defensive Tackle

Rest that, man. We're gonna need you. [Marc-Grégor Campredon]

What we want to hear: Jeter comp to Hurst or something. Somebody else stepping up at DT. Dwumfour back soon.

What we're hearing: Since last week there was a whole kerfluffle started when Harbaugh said this in his presser:

Just to follow up on Donovan and Dwumfour, are they injuries that could keep them out of the season? When you say serious, what does that mean exactly?

“It could. I’ve always been kind of just… as a coach but also when I played, I put a lot of stock in what a player, how their body feels, how they respond. So that’s the feedback. All indication we’re getting is that they really can’t do much at all. You always hope for the best.”

Are they injuries that require surgery?

“No, no. Donovan’s has been a soft-tissue injury, a groin injury. And Michael had a torn plantar fascia right before the bowl game. You start to worry when injuries linger longer than previously thought or longer than the time it usually takes, but I think nobody knows their body better than the actual person or athlete.”

And Dwumfour got word of some winds and responded on twitter (I'm choosing not to link a player's tweets since I don't want to add fuel to internet dumb). I mentioned all this with DPJ, along with my take:

"I put a lot of stock in what a player thinks" is Harbaughspeak for "It annoys me when players aren't practicing because they're healing even though I've been told it shouldn't." I gather from comments inside the program and from Dwumfour's response on Twitter that both are going to be fine. If Harbaugh's football coach instinct to expect players with minor injuries to practice has been reduced to howling at the moon about it, that too is fine.

Dwumfour was on the field but not practicing.

Rivals' young contributor Andrew Hussey shared that Mazi Smith's name comes up a lot when they talk to coaches and players.

Harbaugh also clarified what he sees in Jeter and what position they're playing:

Donovan Jeter’s our starting 3-tech right now. He continues to be an ascending player. He’s just…he appears hellbent on being the starting defensive tackle…And Carlo Kemp, talked about him before, extremely strong. He’s our starting nose.

Marich dropped a practice buzz($) yesterday that was mostly offense, but we got a few bits on D:

Jeter and Hutch looked very good in one on ones vs OL.

Rivals published some competition drills. Not much you can glean from watching them except Paea was much faster than Mazi Smith in the 58 vs. 58 battle. There wasn't much else to take away from practice, really.

What it means: We finally made it through a week this spring when the Ben Mason talk wasn't being jammed down our throats. That's the best sign yet that we might survive Defensive Tacklegeddon—Mason is a character but also not a guy who's going to last at 3-tech at 260 pounds after moving from fullback. Hey—it'll be fun, don't get me wrong—but you want them comfortable with the guy.

Moving Kemp to nose is…well his pass rush is not going to be as much of a problem as it was at tackle as long as he can stand up—that's a thing to watch in spring. It also gives the easier job to Jeter—whether that translates to better pass rush is The thing to watch. We'll have to watch it all over again in fall to see how Dwumfour fits.

 

[After the JUMP: Depth charts and scant explanation]

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Defensive End

Now with more tight end action. [Patrick Barron]

What we want to hear: Big breakout from one of 2017 dudes. Some hype to go with the impressively-sized hominid wearing the Ojabo jersey. Love for Kwity and Aidan. Probably too much to ask that any of these guys can play DT.

What we're hearing: Aidan. Balas dropped an ITF last week($) that was heavy on football recruiting and basketball departures. There was only one bit on the football defense and it seems to be mostly about Aidan Hutchinson:

Some of the best news to emerge starts on the defensive line, where several young players have stepped up. They still need depth (and we told you in the last ITF they would be looking at DT grad transfers after the spring), but Luiji Vilain, Donovan Jeter and Aidan Hutchinson have really answered the call this spring. Hutchinson is the guy many expected to take a huge leap, and he has. He’s much bigger than his father, All-American Chris Hutchinson (early 1990s), but is very similar in one respect: He is relentless, and he never takes a play off. He is bigger and stronger than last year, and many believe he’s got the potential for an All-Big Ten season as a sophomore.

That tracks with Harbaugh's presser:

“Can really say that about the defensive line as well. Aidan Hutchinson is having a great spring. He’s becoming a dominant player. He’s elevated his game. Played in all 13 games as a true freshman and he’s just doing an incredible job.

The presser noted Vilain has "come on" at End, and "Julius Welschof's made a move." Everyone got named, but Ron Johnson's was in context of a soft-tissue injury. When Harbaugh got to Ojabo he riffed:

And David Ojabo, all signs are that, all indications that once he really learns the game and understands that part of it, he’s going to be a tremendous player. Exceptional in terms of heavy hands and being able to knock back an offensive lineman and also has real speed. He was a 100-meter guy in high school. When it all comes together—he’s only had seven practices. Was limited as a football player as a youngster and in high school. Really played one full season in high school but played four other sports during his high school career. I have good things to say about him.

What it means: All systems go for the next generation, sometimes literally. Don Brown has an incredible track record at defensive end—his Boston College recruits are still going to the NFL—and the athletes they brought in, barring injury, all appear to be working out. Hutchinson was pretty good (also pretty freshman) last year, and while there's reason to hype him up this year—he's replacing Rashan Gary—there's also good reason to believe it.

Vilain already second on the depth chart doesn't say anything about his health—he'll be fine or he won't—but probably also means that Welschof/Upshaw aren't yet ready for a lot of snaps. Vilain has to be an "End"—the Winovich position—so if he's backing up Kwity I think that means Kwity Paye is the new weakside guy after playing mostly anchor last year when Gary was out (Hutchinson played End until everyone was out vs. Florida). That's a good sign. Kwity was undersized for Anchor, and Hutchinson was meant to grow into one. I expect when Danna arrives that they'll both be at Anchor, with Kwity and Vilain also at end.

I think they've got something in Ojabo, and wouldn't be surprised if we see him this year in the role Hutchinson played. Newburg is a guy you unpack in a few years, and Upshaw still looks a year of muscle away from competing. One good note on Welschof suggests they've maybe got another player coming on. All that said, Mike Danna arrives in fall, and he, Aidan, and Kwity are probably getting the overwhelming majority of snaps, with Uche and whatnot cutting into what's left. I think we've heard the last of Ron Johnson.

Depth chart:

Anchor	End
Aidan Hutchinson	Kwity Paye
Julius Welschof	Luiji Vilain
Taylor Upshaw	David Ojabo
Ron Johnson	Gabe Newburg

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Linebacker

The McGrone photo one more time before our photographers get like a zillion shots of him in spring [Patrick Barron]

What we want to hear: McGrooooooone! And Anthony! Please!

What we're hearing: Very little; Devin Gil missed some practices with illness, and Josh Ross (hamstring strain) and Cam McGrone both sat out the open practice. Harbaugh's linebacker bits:

Now it’s Jordan Anthony along with Cam McGrone. They’re all interchangeable at that Mike/Will position. And Jordan Glasgow, he plays Viper, he plays Mike, he plays Will, he plays ‘em all in there.

Hudson has been fabulous all spring. Khaleke Hudson, having an excellent spring. So is Josh Uche, and Michael Barrett’s doing a really good job as a Viper and a Sam. I’d put him behind Glasgow right now in those areas, but really probably the backup Sam backer right now to Josh Uche. And he’s also, as I said, playing Viper.

They see SAM as a different position from Viper, by the way.

Josh Uche spent the majority of the open practice with the linebackers but joined the defensive line later for some competition drills. I noted at 4:00 in that video that Uche started from a two-point (standing up) stance, whereas all the other DL began from a three-point stance, with the exception of Gabe Newburg in one twist blitz drill.

In Michigan's defense the Viper is the guy usually matched on tight ends, so the pool managed to get a question about the competition in when TE coach Sherrone Moore took the stage:

You mentioned a few guys on defense. What players on that side of the ball have jumped out to you as you’ve been watching things?

“Uche as usual. Khaleke, because we always have to deal with Khaleke. He’s always harassing us, holding [and] grabbing us as we say, but he’s such a physical, fast player. Michael Barrett has done some really good things. Obviously Brad [Hawkins] and Josh [Metellus] and those guys are always solid players, really good players for us. For us in our room, we always have to deal with Khaleke, we always have to deal with Glasgow, so those are the guys that really jump out for us.”

Jordan Glasgow got to talk to the media, and wore his work shirt. The interesting part was holistic: they're fine and aggressive against the run but have to play better when the offense is trying to mess with them.

What it means: I guess everyone's coming along as they can. I would like to have heard more about McGrone and Anthony—they'll be a thing to watch in the spring game tomorrow. Ross and Hudson are starters; Uche is going to have the Uche role, and it seems they're serious about Michael Barrett, who's heir apparent by default at viper for now.

Depth chart:

Viper	Mike	Will	Sam
Khaleke Hudson	Josh Ross	Devin Gil	Josh Uche
Jordan Glasgow	Cameron McGrone	Jordan Anthony	Michael Barrett

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Safety

Nickel is a separate thing. Starter at nickel ain't no. [Barron]

What we want to hear: Skip Metellus unless he's going to be the best safety in the country or something. Tell me about the other starter, and what our plan might be if the true freshman isn't immediately the best safety in the country or something.

What we're hearing: We FINALLY got a defensive backs coach in front of the media this year. So?

[opening formalities]

So after J-

[question about a punt returner]

And safety?

I mean, Josh is playing at an elite level right now. His leadership qualities are unbelievable…sky’s the limit for him. I think he could be one of the best safeties in the country this year. That’s what we’re shooting for.

And after Josh?

[11(!!!) questions about the kickers]
[2 more questions about returners]
[how do you feel about all the coaching changes?]

Hey we saw J'Marick Woods in the bowl game…

"He's controlling his body. I mean, we saw it in December before the bowl game. He's come into this spring ball and he's been lights out to where he had to develop a little bit. We're excited about him. As I said, he's becoming a man, he's taking a stronghold (of the position), he's understanding the defense, he's seeing formations and he's taking to coaching. It's really been awesome."

The other players like it when ol' J'Marick Woods lays the proverbial J'Marick Wood. Jordan Glasgow:

"He can hit harder than I've really ever seen anyone (hit before). He can really put his body out there and lay it all on the line.

Partridge also gave us an update/explanation-type-substance on Brad Hawkins:

“The other guy, too, is Brad Hawkins. Brad played last year because of injuries or whatnot but Brad was a receiver his entire life, so he’s literally going into his third year of ever playing defense, so the sky is the limit and he is shooting for it right now.

…

they’re all just getting to where they could be and they could still go more but this has been really good for those guys this spring and for our defense to say ‘Wow, Brad has gotten so much better.’ Well, yeah, because he’s going into his third year playing defense so just seeing formations, understanding calls and all that stuff. He’s gonna continue to get better.”

The rest of the interview went back to how he feels about good people who switch sides to evil.

The Marich update added a line that is as precise as it's concise($):

DBs were very physical. Woods made some plays. Dax will compete immediately with safeties for starting spot.

There's also this from the much thicker offense paragraph($):

Sainristil will make instant impact next year - electrifying with the ball and great route runner. Caught slot fade vs Hawkins for a TD and scored on a crossing route where he outran everyone.

Woods was playing free safety with the ones in the Ruiz stiffarm video

And Harbaugh gave us a depth chart:

The nickel position, Brad Hawkins is the starter there. He’s doing an excellent job. He’s also backing up at both safety positions, both the Rover and the Free. Right now Josh Metellus and J’Marick Woods are the two starting safeties. Louis Grodman is backing up Brad and so is Sammy Faustin. Gemon Green, Tyler Cochran are also in the mix along with Quinn Rothman. That’s also been another position of good health for us.”

What it means: First: check on the Metellus hype. Thank you.

Second: the deck is cleared for Daxton Hill.

This is not ideal. Woods is your leader for the other safety. Woods makes some plays but in case you don't know our take on safeties, we'll go for a boring guy who doesn't make mistakes over the assassin every time. Hawkins you could hope for a leap in development since he moved from receiver and then spent a year at Viper. Partridge came around to saying what you want to hear there, but if Hawkins is the dude who's going to let Dax gently slide onto the field with an eye toward a sophomore breakout, I'm rather certain we'd be hearing more.

As much as I'm in the bag for Sweetness Sainristil, he's not the only speedy slot bug in the league even with Ohio State buying up every Parris Campbell-like object in the Midwest. One of those guys busting huge out of a crossing route 1) is the very last thing a Michigan fan wants to be reminded of, and 2) must include a biff by a safety. Also you know how much Michigan went out of its way last year to kill slot fades. It'd be nice if Sweetness was literally the only guy capable of beating Hawkins on a slot fade given how the defense aligns; he probably is not.

Meanwhile, dead silence on the redshirt freshmen. German Green? Sammy Faustin? Bueller? The only thing we've gotten is Jaylen Kelly-Powell's move to cornerback, discussed below.

It's not so dire as defensive tackle. I think you've got a B+ guy in Metellus and some guys in Hawkins and Woods you can play against most opponents but can't get away with versus the elite ones—they both worked in last year so we're not basing this on nothing. It takes awhile to pick up all a safety has to do in this defense, but the rover position (Metellus's last year) can be simplified for a guy with elite athleticism, and that feels like the play, if not for the opener by Big Ten season.

Depth Chart:

Rover	Free Safety	Nickel
Josh Metellus	J'Marick Woods	Brad Hawkins
Brad Hawkins		Jaylen Kelly-Powell
Luis Grodman	Sammy Faustin	Quinn Rothman
German Green	Tyler Cochran

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Cornerback

What we want to hear: Ambry is all grown up. Tell us why you like Gray?

What we're hearing: Ambry Thomas got the "Yep, you're ready to talk to the media" treatment reserved for position group leaders and locked in starters:

"It's just recognizing formations, what route you're gonna see, on the boundary [snaps]. Yeah it's a whole different thing—everyone talks about this mind change, like slow your mind down, like I really see it now."

He also doesn't mind telling you he's one of the fastest guys in NCAA.

Harbaugh reiterated what we all already know about Gray and what I've been trying to tell you about Hunter Reynolds since he got one of the spring scholarships made available by Michigan's NFL departures:

“Yeah, so the corner, it’s been a healthy position for us this spring. With Lavert rehabbing, Vince Gray starting at left corner right now and Ambry Thomas starting at right corner. Hunter Reynolds is backing up along with Jaylen Kelly-Powell. Jaylen Kelly-Powell’s also backing up at the nickel. Myles Sims, Gemon Green have also been in the mix and they’re coming along good so far this spring, so that’s been a good, healthy position for us. Jalen Perry has also worked in and he’s on the depth chart along with Jared Davis and then John Baty, who is a student tryout that’s done a nice job. All indications are that he’s making the football team, so it’s been a good position.

I cheekily read too much into Myles Sims switching to the #46 jersey (Michael Barrett and Josh Uche are both wearing #6 on defense) in my "let's read too much into the roster" article, and then an insider has to go and make that sound actually serious:

So…that's a thing to keep an eye on. He's still as thin as a spider—one of the few guys whose Herbertization wasn't clearly evident on the field last Saturday. But also keep this in mind: EVERY player thinks of transferring. Every one I've asked about it at least, and I ask that often. Marlin Jackson was out the door when Carr wouldn't believe him about the fake bottle-throwing incident. Jeremy Gallon didn't bother to come to practice. Bennie Joppru sold his tapes collection to get a bus ticket home. Todd Howard was fed up with the fans always dogging him for not being Charles Woodson. Brandon Williams was fed up with being behind Todd Howard. Jack Weisenberger saw Bump Elliott and Bob Chappuis return from WWII and told Fritz Crisler he's gonna focus on baseball since they obviously don't need another back.

What it means: Ambry seems to have crossed that threshold from talented guy they want to get on the field to star player who uses his ability for incredible feats. On the other hand, he is still clearly far too young and inexperienced to be trusted with facial hair:

I've been there, and it's nothing that can't be fixed with a razor blade and time. JKP's move to cornerback is a sign that he won't grow into a safety, and that removes his highest ceiling. I'm very anxious to see if Gray is Brandon Watson 2.0 or just an incredible find. Ditto Hunter Reynolds. Let's see those guys against Tarik before we gauge whether the next generation is a problem. This season still has Lavert and Ambry so it's not a dire immediate thing. It does irk that there isn't a Jourdan/Lavert/David/Ambry after Ambry.

Depth chart:

Left Cornerback	Right Cornerback
Lavert Hill	Ambry Thomas
Vincent Gray	Hunter Reynolds
Jaylen Kelly-Powell	German Green
Jalen Perry	Myles Sims
Jared Davis	John Baty