Projecting Michigan Football’s depth chart ahead of spring ball

Secondary

Starters: DJ Turner, Will Johnson, Rod Moore, R.J. Moten; Backups: Mike Sainristil, Gemon Green, Keon Sabb, Makari Paige, Ja’Den McBurrows. 

Going into the 2021 season, with many of the same faces that were around for the disaster in 2020, most expected Michigan football to struggle in the secondary.

But it didn’t. Daxton Hill played his way into being a likely first-round pick and DJ Turner had a true breakout season for the Wolverines. He’s the No. 1 cornerback coming back and seems like a future NFL player.

Starting opposite of Turner, in my opinion, will be Will Johnson, the five-star cornerback and top-ranked recruit in Michigan’s 2022 class. He’s 6-foot-3, a dynamic athlete and he can man-press as well as anyone.

Johnson is the kind of elite defensive back Michigan football has needed and it’s going to be fun to watch him work. I think he starts day one. I also think Keon Sabb will push for playing time behind Rod Moore and Moten.

As far as Sainristil, I think he will be utilized as a nickel corner and since he’s being moved over from the offense, I would expect him to seriously contend for snaps. They aren’t wasting his ability as a wide receiver for nothing.