Mailbag question: Defense questions

Hey guys, just started reading your blog and really enjoy discussing things from a coaching perspective.

I’m really watching the defensive side of the football this year, as I think that RR’s ultimate success depends on finding a DC who can get Michigan playing good to excellent defense. I see no reason that Michigan can’t field a defensive unit as effective as Iowa’s. The Hawkeye’s never seem to have fantastic defensive personnel, but always seem to have good to very good units.

Michigan will have access to better talent than Iowa, but always seems to struggle getting proper depth under Carr. In your opinion, will the new defensive staff be comfortable getting players more akin to the Iowa model, or will they shoot for top players at the expense of having good depth?

How effective do you see Brandon Herron being at the new OLB/DE position? I see this spot as being crucial to the success of the overall scheme. If these guys are asked to drop into coverage, do you think Roh can make that adjustment based on what you’ve seen?

Do you see Michigan continuing to recruit a lot of safety prospects, many of who can be shifted to LB? I personally like the strategy, as our coverage at the LB positions is often not very good, really exposing our weaknesses at S.

Thanks guys.

Alan W.

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Thanks for the question and comments, but where have you been … lol.

WE see Michigan under Coach Rod going more towards a Virginia Tech or Auburn model of defense. Focus more on good athletes who can run and have a defensive mind set.

Coach them up and develop them physically, and let positions take care of themselves. Coach Rod seems to be very comfortable with tween-ers as long as they can run well.

Herron is good kid, very hardworking and loves to play the game. He struggled some this spring. Question is did he struggle because of lack of fit for position, or because he was learning a new position. Or was it a combination of the two. We are leaning to the latter.

In perfect world, C. Roh would be able to red-shirt in our opinion and be able to not only learn how to play college football, but gain the extra time he needs with Coach Barwis in the strength and conditioning department. Also at some positions it is very tough for a true freshman to come in during the summer and be able to compete with players that are four-five years older than him especially when they have been in a solid strength and conditioning program.

Problem is with Michigan’s depth issues that might not be possible. Where we see Roh fitting in is as a third down pass rush specialists. teaching him coverage and line techniques in this short a period of time will be a huge challenge.

Yes, we expect Coach Rod and staff to be heavy defensive back recruiters in most classes. They have the athletic ability Coach Rod and staff like.

Remember a few years ago when Ohio State took eight defensive backs in a class and found positions for those kids. We can see the same type of situation at Michigan.

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Written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine