Michigan Football: The 10 most important defensive players in 2020

No. 7-10

10. Vincent Gray

Gray, a 6-foot-2 corner, saw significant playing time last season for Michigan football and registered 20 tackles, as well as five passes defensed. He even had an impressive breakup against Alabama in the Citrus Bowl. With Lavert Hill graduating, Gray will step in as a starter and Don Brown said recently, he thinks Gray has a bright NFL future. To be successful, the Wolverines need really good man-cover corners and Gray could be the best on the roster.

9. Carlo Kemp

Kemp had a solid season in 2019 for the Wolverines and Michigan football is going to need a similar effort from Kemp in 2020. If Brown ends up using more four-man alignments, Kemp probably won’t be stuck playing as much nose tackle as he was a year ago. He’s 6-foot-3, around 280-290, but that’s not a nose tackle and it showed at times. Mazi Smith could overtake him for a starting job, but Kemp is seasoned and tough enough to hold on. Kemp, Smith and Chris Hinton hold the key to the Wolverines interior run defense.

8. Michael Barrett

Michael Barrett saw the field a little bit last season but now he’s ready to step in and be the Viper after Khaleke Hudson held the job for three years. Barrett is 6-foot and close to 230 pounds. He used to play quarterback in high school and has played running back at Michigan too. It will be fun to see what he can do, yet getting a productive season from him is essential.

7. Brad Hawkins

Brad Hawkins isn’t an overly flashy player but he was critical to the success of the defense last season and he will be again in 2020. Hawkins is a perfect in the box type of safety and if he can perfect that role, it would allow Daxton Hill to play more of a center field role. Hawkins can cover but he’s a really good run defender and his physicality will be a huge asset.