Michigan Football: 3 Positional battles to watch for the Wolverines

Defensive end

When someone says you might be the best football player in the county, you are probably pretty good. When Michigan football’s legendary defensive coordinator Don Brown says it, I’d say you have the position locked up.

“Kwity Paye might be, technically, the best football player in the country,” Brown said. “I’m just sayin’. That guy? He’s hard to fool. I have no concerns about him.”

The question here is who is going to be lining up on the opposite end of the defensive line. Aidan Hutchinson is leading the strong-side pack; however, the four-star sophomore from Germany, Julius Welschof,  is making a name for himself.

Before he betrayed Michigan football, former defensive line coach Gregg Mattison was really high on Julius.

“I’m really excited about him,” Mattison said. “In fact, we talk about, every day in these practices we have with the young guys, this is a guy that the ceiling is so high.

“His football background is so small, and everything you teach him, he does. He has an unreal desire to be a good player. He can run very well. He’s gonna be very strong with our strength program.

“His name comes up a lot, watching him, how much he’s improved — and it’s just touching the surface. So I’m really excited about him.”

There’s also graduate transfer Mike Danna who is looking to continue his already impressive football resume. During the 2018 season at Central Michigan, Danna registered 66 tackles, 9 1/2 sacks, and seven quarterback hurries.

Don Brown hinted toward Danna getting some playing time.

“Mike Danna is going to help us. Does he help us at end, anchor? I don’t know. ”

At the end of the day, the defensive end position may have lost Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich but Kwity Paye is emerging as one of the best players in the county, much like the guy who just left for the NFL leaving his position wide open.