Michigan Football: What About the Cupboard? Defense

Posted at 8:00am — 12/27/2014

Michigan Wolverine Football: What About the Cupboard? — Defense — Part I

Old Mother Hubbard Goes Back To The Cupboard

The new Michigan coaching staff will find plenty of returning veterans when making the grand Aida-like first appearance in January. Who will be the defensive coordinator is not an intention of discussion.

We have 17 of the 22 on defense returning (losing Clark if your counting him, Ryan, Taylor, Beyer, and Hollowell). Along with what we have on the offensive side of the ball we will have 37 of the 44 players on the two deep coming back. That has to be one of the best in the country just on numbers alone. We are not saying they are good/great players, but just by numbers alone should help with depth/talent issues.

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Just like on the offensive side, the cupboard is not close to being bare. The new staff should find good talent, decent depth, and players willing to work and learn. There are thorns in the small bundle of roses. The speed factor is not top-shelf, the best player, Jake Ryan has graduated, there is still little fear in Michigan’s front four pass rush (even with multitudes of effort to create this phenomenon), and the defensive backfield still gives up big yardage plays (even though at least this year the backs were within the TV screen range).

The brightest area, perhaps, is that the front four has toughened up in stopping the run, discounting the easy long run by Elliot in the Ohio State game. So, how good can this group be in 2015? The simple and most likely answer is pretty good, but probably not elite.

Credit must be given to Coach Smith for bringing this group along the past year. Chris Wormley, to this observer, had some good moments. He is now nearly 300 pounds, athletic, and long. His potential is still upward, that is, the ceiling has not been achieved.

Taco Charlton, much like Chris Wormley, has had to deal with instant expectations of greatness, justified or not. Many do not realize that it takes the young ones (boys) some time to compete with the elders (men). This year is critical to their future shot at the NFL, now placed as a chance but nothing remote to a certainty. Taco is very smart and possesses good perception. How consistent he will be next year is an unknown, but the journey starts with strength training and mental toughness intensity.

Bryan Mone seems like the real deal and held his own as a true freshman. He may still be growing. Of all of the linemen, he may have the highest ceiling concerning strength. How much of his talent can be invested in pass rushing is a valid question. If Michigan cannot beat a team on the edge, the only two options left are up the middle and by blitz packages. Blitz packages have both reward and risk results.

Willie Henry clearly contributed last year. Willie is nowhere near all league level yet, but he mixes it up in middle and uses his decent combination of quickness and strength. If he, like the other young members of this group, gains sufficient strength to overpower offensive linemen, then Michigan will have a nice luxury the next two years.

Ondre Pipkins has to get healthy, and let us place the hope forward that he enjoys a great 2015. He has yet demonstrate his full ability through bad luck as much as any factor.

Maurice Hurst is yet another young defensive lineman that has enough size, skill, and now experience to place himself in position for playing time. It is somewhat strange that with the combination of guys inside, minimal pass rushing has resulted.

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Matt Godin is a little bit of an enigma, but Greg Mattison has heaped some positives his way. He is tough, consistent, but has had bad moments in edge defense and is not a big factor in pass rushing results. He is the type of player every coach wants around, as such he will figure into next year’s plan, regardless of coach and scheme.

Brennen Beyer Beyer has graduated and Mattison indicated he has a shot at the next level.

Mario Ojemudia came to Michigan with the per-expectation by some that he would be the answer to Michigan’s edge rush inability. He is somewhat of a lightweight and has been beat many times at edge leverage in run defense. Regardless, he is high energy and capable of pulling a David Harris type of turnaround.

Both of the Glasgow brothers seem to love playing football and hitting people, and they are not even prison guards. Like his brother, Ryan has progressed from nameless walk- on to seeing meaningful playing time. He seems to understand the game very well and just plays, without drama or incident.

We will see what Lawrence Marshall brings to the table next year. At the very least, he should fit into the rotation and see snaps. Lawrence is a little bigger than Supermario was at the same stage of career.

Part II later today, we will talk about the linebackers and defensive backs.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu

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