Michigan Football: 5 key takeaways from the defense this spring

The secondary has been a positive

With the decision by Long to go pro and the graduation of Kinnel as well as Brandon Watson, Michigan football essentially has to replace three of its top five players in the secondary.

That’s a tall order but so far in spring ball, there has been nothing but encouraging signs from the secondary. Don Brown recently spoke to Wolverines Wire about spring practices so far and he talked about guys like Ambry Thomas, Vincent Gray, Brad Hawkins, J’Marick Woods and Josh Metellus all standing out.

"“If you said to me, secondary-wise, where you thought you’d be and where you are, it’s two different places. I thought we’d be fighting for our lives at this time. Ambry Thomas is really taking the next step. Leadership-wise, is a good role model for the young guys. This Vincent Gray is gonna be a real guy. “"

I predicted that Thomas and Gray would start on my depth chart predictions before the spring and it sounds like both players are living up to their promise. Thomas was the No. 4 corner last season and picked off a pass against Rutgers, so it was natural to assume he would be a top-3 corner.

Gray, on the other hand, had much more to prove.

The redshirt freshman didn’t play at all last season but the 6-foot-2 corner has been earning Brown’s praise since Peach Bowl practices and it wouldn’t be shocking if he was starting on the outside opposite of Lavert Hill in the fall. A number of safeties also got mentioned by Brown, although they will have to fend off Daxton Hill when he arrives for camp.