Michigan football: 4 things to watch for against Middle Tennessee
By Jacob Shames
Defensive Front Seven
The defensive line suffered plenty of attrition from last year. Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich are playing on Sundays now. Aubrey Solomon is playing at Tennessee now. Lawrence Marshall and Bryan Mone have graduated.
What made that unit elite, though, wasn’t just top-end talent — it was one of the deepest in the nation, and now that depth must take the place of the departed. Defensive end Kwity Paye had an All-Big Ten honorable mention season in a reserve role. Aidan Hutchinson impressed in a limited role and looks primed for a breakout year.
Inside, Don Brown singled out Carlo Kemp as the group’s most improved player early in August, and Harbaugh has noted improvements from Donovan Jeter and converted fullback Ben Mason as well. End Mike Danna, a transfer from Central Michigan, adds experience and a history of production.
The big loss in the linebacking corps is that of sideline-to-sideline dynamo Devin Bush Jr. Josh Ross, who got plenty of playing time last season, appears to be his direct replacement. Khaleke Hudson will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2018 (18.5 tackles-for-loss in 2017, just 3.5 last year). Josh Uche led the Wolverines in sacks despite coming off the bench. Returnees Devin Gil, Jordan Glasgow and Cam McGrone should see playing time too.
Make no mistake, there’s talent here. But if the performance of the defensive front without Bush, Gary and others against Florida is any indication, that talent will have to show itself in a hurry.