Michigan Football: Jordan Morant could help solve a problem at safety

In this new era of open offenses, you can never have enough good cover guys in the secondary and for Michigan football, Jordan Morant can help in a big way.

There were a few clear takeaways when Ohio State drubbed Michigan football for what seemed like the 20th straight year.

It’s hard to remember the last time the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes. It was 2011 if anyone was counting and before that, 2003.

This year, one of the reasons Michigan football lost was that the Wolverines couldn’t stop the running game. Ohio State dominated in the trenches. However, in recent years, the pass defense has been just as bad.

Dwayne Haskins threw all over the Wolverines in both 2017 and 2018 and even Justin Fields connected on some bombs as the Buckeyes racked up 56 points. That’s why guys like Jordan Morant are going to be important.

Morant is a four-star safety that signed as part of Michigan football’s 2020 recruiting class and he’s part of a versatile group of defensive backs that also includes R.J. Moten, Makari Paige and William Mohan.

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At one time, Morant was listed as the No. 1 safety according to the 247 sports rankings, but he has fallen a little from that perch. However, the New Jersey product is still a top-16 safety according to the 247 rankings and the composite rankings. Both rankings also have him in the top 163 overall.

Brian Dohn a recruiting expert for 247 sports talked about Morant recently ($) and one of the most interesting things he said was about Morant’s ability to cover:

"He can set the edg so, I’m intrigued by that stuff.  And I also think he’s a kid that probably can do some stuff in nickel if you need him to cover in the slot and everything.  I’m really intrigued by his athleticism. And then, as I’ve seen him, I really don’t have any reason to believe why he cannot be a corner other than the fact that he can be just a hellacious safety.”"

Morant doesn’t seem like a pure cover corner to me, yet, the Ohio State game showed that Michigan needs guys with better coverage skills in the secondary, even at safety. Daxton Hill is a step in the right direction, but he spent much of his time in the slot.

Hill might move to more of a deep safety role next season, yet guys like Morant will give Michigan other options. Morant also will give Don Brown and the defense someone that can play near the line of scrimmage, while also having coverage skills.

And whether he’s used as a viper or a safety or even a nickel, that’s a valuable skill to have and one that’s needed if this defense is ever going to offer any resistance against elite offenses.