Michigan Football: 4 things we’ve learned about Wolverines this spring

Defense is a work in progress

With new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald taking over, there were obviously going to a learning curve with the new defense.

Michigan football is essentially going to a 3-4 front, although it sounds like it will be a multiple-front defense, depending on personnel and opponents.

But so far, one of the changes has been having some former defensive ends playing as outside linebackers and one of them Taylor Upshaw, detailed that they are called “reapers.”

He also told MLive the following players are also getting snaps there: Aidan Hutchinson, Mike Morris, David Ojabo, Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor

Hutchinson is coming off an injury but it doesn’t seem to be holding him back. The same goes for McGregor, who is also rounding into form and could be a contributor this fall.

But outside of the pass rush and some solid reports about the play of Junior Colson, another top-100 recruit, there isn’t a ton to glean about the defense right now.

Colson is one of the freshmen Jim Harbaugh mentioned earlier as standing out and someone that will likely see the field right away for U-M.

Those are some of the key things we have learned so far this spring, at least until Saturday, when we should gather more info following the scrimmage.