5 Michigan Football players ready to take a big leap on defense
Mazi Smith
When you look at Michigan football’s defense in 2022, there aren’t a lot of guys that jump out as potential first-round picks.
Of course, outside of Aidan Hutchinson, no Wolverines were guaranteed to be first-round picks a year ago either. But one guy who could make a big move up draft boards in the 2022 season for the Wolverines on defense is nose tackle, Mazi Smith.
Last season, the light really came on for Smith who finished with 37 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and three pass breakups. That earned the 6-foot-3, 326-pound defensive tackle honorable mention All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media.
Next season, I expect Mazi to be a First-Team All-Big Ten selection. That’s the kind of season he should have this year and while it hurt to lose Chris Hinton, Smith is still the anchor of the run defense, and having him back is huge for the Wolverines.
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Smith wasn’t talked about enough last season, and that’s not surprising given he’s a nose tackle. Big guys are always ignored but he’s as elite as they come on this defense and after a dominant 2022 season, he will hear his name by at least the second day of the 2023 NFL draft.