Michigan Football: 5 Most Important Wolverines for the 2017 Season
Maurice Hurst needs to be a stud inside
While Michigan needs Gary to become a big-time player on the defensive line, the Wolverines already have one in Maurice Hurst.
Hurst was a stud at defensive tackle for Michigan football in 2016, registering 33 tackles, 11 TFL and five sacks. He also had three passes defensed and one forced fumble.
Hurst played especially well down the stretch, notching 3.5 TFL and two sacks in the last three games of the season.
Had he decided to forgo his final season of eligibility, Hurst wouldn’t have had to wait long to get a phone call from an NFL team.
He may not have gone in the first round of the draft, but he was almost certain to be a Day 2 (2nd or 3rd round) pick. Yet, he chose to come back to Michigan.
By doing so, Hurst has the chance to further elevate his NFL stock. And if he plays that well, he will certainly be a driving force for a Michigan defense that needs to reload quickly if it the Wolverines want to contend.