A way too early look at the 2014 Michigan Football Depth Chart (Part 2: Defense)

Aug 31, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Blake Countess (18) leads teammates over to the fan section after the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 59-9. Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Before we inspect the likely 2014 Michigan Football (Defensive) Depth Chart , most can agree that the 2013 squad was a major disappointment.

The supporters of head coach Brady Hoke and defensive coordinator Greg Mattison can point to several reasons why Michigan ranked 66th on the NCAA’s total defense chart (see table below).

We’ve heard that Rich Rodriguez “softened his defenders” by running a one-dimensional read-option offense,  thatLloyd Carr was lax in recruiting during his final year,  and the 2013 roster lacked a great senior class. RichRod’s controversial 3-3-5 defense didn’t help.

We can theorize all day, but the Achilles heel statistically was the lack of a pass rush from the front four. If your NFL history is sound, you’d know that Team 134 severely lacked a “fearsome foursome.”

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Hoke was concerned about his defense when he elected to go for the (unsuccessful) two-point conversion in the final seconds of the 42-41 loss to Ohio State . “…We weren’t doing a good job slowing them down (especially running back Carlos Hyde).” Hoke said after the game. “We wanted to go win the football game.”

Team 135 should be much improved, thanks in part due to its veteran makeup. Five seniors, four juniors one sophomore and a single freshman may take the field when Michigan opens the season with Appalachian State Aug. 30.

DEFENSE: (Classes listed reflect Fall Semester 2014)

SDE  97 Brennen Beyer, (6-3, 250, Sr.)
43 Chris Wormley, (6-4, 289, RS So.)
92 Keith Heitzman, (6-3, 280, RS Jr.)
99 Matthew Godin, (6-6, 280, RS So.)

WDE 57 Frank Clark (6-2, 273, Sr.)
33 Taco Charleton (6-6, 270, So.)
53 Mario Ojemudia (6-2, 250, Jr.)

DT 69 Willie Henry  (6-2, 306, RS So.)
73 Maurice Hurst, Jr. (6-2, 270, RS Fr.)
7 Henry Poggi (6-4, 260, RS Fr.)
Brian Mone (6-4, 316, Fr.)
50 Tom Strobel (6-6, 265, RS So.)

NT 56 Ondre Pipkins (6-3, 315, Jr.)
54 Richard Ash (6-3, 314, RS Sr.)
96 Ryan Glasgow, (6-4, 300, RS So.)

SAM 47 Jake Ryan (6-3, 240, RS Sr.)
52 Royce Jenkins-Stone (6-2, 225, Jr.)
12 Allen Gant (6-2, 212, RS So.)

MIKE 48 Desmond Morgan (6-1, 228, Sr.)
3 Mike McCray (6-4, 237, So.)
Michael Ferns (6-2, 235, Fr.)

WILL 15 James Ross III (6-1, 220, Jr.)
35 Joe Bolden (6-3, 225, Jr.)
42 Ben Gedeon (6-3, 236, So.)

LCB 6 Raymon Taylor (5-10, 183, Sr.)
24 Delonte Hollowell (5-9, 180, Jr.)
29 Ross Douglas (5-10, 176, RS Fr.)
13 Terry Richardson (5-9, 167, Jr.)

RCB 18 Blake Countess (5-10, 182, RS Jr.)
8 Channing Stribling (6-2, 171, So.)
26 Jourdan Lewis (5-10, 170, So.)

SS 22 Jarrod Wilson (6-2, 196, Jr.)
25 Dymonte Thomas (6-2, 190, So.)
44 Delano Hill (6-0, 205, So.)

FS Jabrill Peppers (6-0, 190, Fr.)
34 Jeremy Clark (6-4, 205, RS So.)
20 Reon Dawson (6-2, 170, RS Fr.)

NICKEL 18 Blake Countess (5-10, 182, RS Jr.)
Jabrill Peppers (6-0, 190, Fr.)

SPECIAL TEAMS

PUNTER Will Hagerup*, Matt Wile, Kenny Allen

PUNT/KICKOFF RETURNS Dennis Norfleet, Freddie Canteen, Drake Harris

PLACEKICKER Matt Wile, J.J. McGrath, Kenny Allen

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Joel Greer