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Michigan Football: Defense Preview

By Eroc Wolverine

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When it comes to providing an accurate analysis of Michigan football‘s defense and where the unit is going this year, there comes a tough forecasting job.

The defense, although statistically good last year, clearly still had concerns. The defensive backfield clearly could be beat, especially in critical situations at the wrong time. The lack of a serious pass rush of course compounds this deficiency.

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    • It is a new year, with much of the same supporting cast back. There will certainly be many changes, but the personnel bank is at least fairly deep in experience. There is still doubt as to what the dominant defensive alignment may be, if indeed there is a dominant scheme that new defensive coordinator D. J. Durkin uses.

    There is always the past to look at to assess what the future may hold. There is the certainty that Michigan’s defensive line is reasonably well stocked with veteran athletes. The loss of Bryan Mone is significant, but Michigan still has Willie Henry, Maurice Hurst, Ryan Glasgow, Matt Godin, Taco Charlton, and Chris Wormley to throw some weight around.

    The question remains to be who will be used at the 0, 1, 3, and 5 techniques, and who will play where in specific situations? There has been talk of Mario Ojemudia, Ross Jenkins-Stone, and Lawrence Marshall playing hybrid packages as well as defensive end or linebacker.

    A second known is the status of the linebackers. Again, there are many returning veterans, but also an agreed upon conclusion that speed is missing. It will be interesting to see how Durkin uses linebackers in the blitz and coverage schemes.

    Do not expect the kitchen sink on blitz packages. Like the 3-3-5 alignment, the question for opposing coaches will be which guy is blitzing. Morgan and Bolden play at least a standard major-conference linebacker against the run.

    James Ross III has his ups and downs. He could clearly benefit from some of the new packages Michigan will use. Do not discount Ben Gedeon and Mike McCray, who have strong athletic ability. Many times Jabrill Pepper will be the nickel backer and serve almost as a de facto linebacker.

    Apr 4, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverine wide receiver Maurice Ways jumps up to attempt to make a catch defended by defensive back Brandon Watson during the Spring football game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

    The knowns certainly are less at the defensive back positions. It is a given that Jabrill Peppers is mega-talented and his presence on the field should immediately benefit the Michigan football team. It is a given that Jarrod Wilson is sound but has not bloomed into anything close to an impact player. It is a given that a talented and loyal player, Dymonte Thomas, is still a mystery, but remains a high-level athlete.

    There are many names at cornerback, led by Jourdan Lewis, perhaps the closest player Michigan has to a true cover corner. Veteran Wayne Lyons has transferred in from Stanford, but there has been little scuttlebutt to indicate he has yet ascended to a starting role. Tall Channing Stribling will again be in the discussion at defensive back (somewhere), as will Jeremy Clark and Brandon Watson.

    D. J. Durkin has used defensive sets that appear to resemble 4-3 and 3-4 under alignments. But at times other looks appear to surface. What will the typical backfield alignment be? Will Michigan use a cover 1, cover 3, man-to-man press at the line, cover 4, or something else?

    Durkin will need to mask Michigan’s liabilities as best he can.

    Harbaugh, Durkin, and offensive coordinator Tim Drevno have daunting, but not impossible tasks, to get Michigan football back to being highly competitive with the nation’s best programs. This year, at least, Durkin may have the best shot.

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