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5 Michigan Football players ready to take a big leap on defense

By Chris Peterson

Michigan defensive ends Mike Morris (90) and Aidan Hutchinson celebrate the sack on Northwestern quarterback Ryan Hilinski during the first half on Saturday, Oct.23, 2021, at Michigan Stadium.Mich Nw
Michigan defensive ends Mike Morris (90) and Aidan Hutchinson celebrate the sack on Northwestern quarterback Ryan Hilinski during the first half on Saturday, Oct.23, 2021, at Michigan Stadium.Mich Nw /
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Michigan football is loaded with young talent on both sides of the ball and we look at 10 Wolverines ready to take a big leap in 2022, with a focus now on defense. 

Believe it or not, the Michigan football spring game is just a few weeks away and the Wolverines have been back at it for spring workouts.

By all accounts, the team has a very similar vibe to the one from last season. Jim Harbaugh talked about that in his spring press conference. The culture and all the things that helped Michigan football finally breakthrough still feels very strong.

What happened in the offseason, is the offseason. Jim Harbaugh is focused on this Michigan football team and the Wolverines have their eye on repeating as Big Ten champs.

But to do that, Michigan football is going to have to replace some key players on defense. We all know the names. There could be three U-M defenders selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft and in all the defense essentially has to replace seven starters.

Yet, the Wolverines have more than enough talent to meet the demand, and following our breakdown of five Michigan players ready to take a leap on offense, here are five defenders ready to do the same.

Mike Morris

Mike Morris has been talked about a ton this spring and Jim Harbaugh even mentioned him as the next David Ojabo. He was an impactful player last year and played mostly five-technique. He also saw snaps as an interior rusher but also played on the edge.

Morris is tremendous at setting the edge and that’s one thing I love about him. But it feels like we haven’t seen his full potential as a pass rusher. He can attack the edge and the interior which is going to be a weapon.

Frankly, Morris could probably start in a number of different roles for the Wolverines. He could fill Hutchinson’s spot or start out as a five-technique in base and bump outside.

All I know is that this production is going to go way up and if Michigan was smart, it would move him all over on defense, which is what I believe will happen.

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