Michigan Football: Predicting defensive starters after spring ball

Secondary

CB: Gemon Green 

I thought that outside of Daxton Hill, Gemon Green was Michigan’s best cover corner last season. He improved as the season went on. Hopefully, his ball skills will improve but he looks like a good bet to start again.

CB: Vincent Gray

There were high hopes for Gray last season, but at 6-foot-2 and not incredibly fast, he struggled being on an island. Hopefully, things are schemed up better this year but it looks like Gray is still one of the top two on the depth chart.

S: Daxton Hill 

Daxton Hill should be Michigan football’s best defender in 2021. He’s the Wolverines best cover guy and I’d love to see him in that nickel role as much as possible. He can blitz from there, play the run, and just a lot of things (think Charles Woodson in Green Bay). Hill is a damn good safety, but he can’t just be playing deep all the time. Single him up when needed and otherwise, let him loose.

S: Brad Hawkins

Brad Hawkins is another player you really don’t have to worry about on this defense. He’s solid against the run and the defense, especially tackling will be better if he plays all 12 games. RJ Moten and Makari Paige will also be competing for the third safety spot which will see some valuable snaps, as will the No. 3 corner, which would be Jalen Perry, DJ Turner, or someone else.