Michigan Football: Predicting Wolverines defensive depth chart in 2021

Secondary

CB: 1’s: Gemon Green, Darion Green-Warren, Andre Seldon; 2’s: Vincent Gray, Jalen Perry, DJ Turner, Sammy Faustin, Ja’Den McBurrows

The good news is that Michigan doesn’t really lack depth at the cornerback spot, it just needs to get better production out of the guys it has. Gemon Green was better down the stretch last season and broke up eight passes. He needs to learn how to make interceptions and play the ball better.

Vincent Gray didn’t play as well down the stretch and even though we didn’t see much from him last season, I see Darion Green-Warren making a big jump and getting a starting job. I’ll say the same for Andre Seldon, who will be perfect in the slot.

Gray and others will still get playing time and the reality is that cornerback is as wide open as any position on the defense. That’s why I think the cream will rise to the top in terms of Seldon and Green-Warren two of Michigan best cornerback recruits in recent years.

S: 1’s: Daxton Hill, Brad Hawkins; 2’s: Makari Paige, RJ Moten

Daxton Hill is the most talented player in the secondary for Michigan football and if this defense is going to be any good in 2021, he needs to play like it.

Brad Hawkins returning is significant. He’s a sure tackler and he will help the run defense. Hill needs to get in on some turnover plays and be an eraser on the back end.

The bottom line is that Michigan has the talent and even enough athletes to be good in the secondary. I’m not saying elite, but Green-Warren and Seldon are both basically top-100 recruits and Hill was a five-star. Hawkins also has NFL potential.

The key is getting the most out of these guys and a big help would also be generating a better pass rush. In terms of newcomers, there won’t be a ton of new help, but Moten and Paige were high-ranking four-star recruits, so don’t think there isn’t talent on this defense.

It’s time for Macdonald, Maurice Linguist and company to develop and unleash it.