Michigan Football: 3 freshmen that can start right away in 2019

Mazi Smith gets a leg up by enrolling early

Defensive tackle is another position that lacks some depth and that’s why highly-touted freshmen Mazi Smith and Chris Hinton are two names to watch.

Brian Mone is gone to graduation but the Wolverines have two veterans returning in Michael Dwumfour and Carlo Kemp, who each played and played well at defensive tackle last season.

Yet, there is little depth behind those guys and who knows if a guy like Kemp will be able to hold off Mazi Smith for a starting job. Smith is 6-foot-3, 310 pounds and is a lot to handle in the middle. He looks like he is built to be an interior run stuffer and that skill could certainly come in handy.

The fact that Smith enrolled early and will take part in spring practices helps him get a leg up, especially on Hinton. At 6-foot-4, 280 pounds, Hinton is a freak and a guy that could easily play at both defensive end and defensive tackle.

He may have some room to make up when fall camp rolls around, but even as an interior pass rusher, Hinton should have an impact. However, when it comes to possibly earning a starting job, it seems that Smith is better suited for that.