Michigan Football: Post-spring breakdown of underrated DT room

There was reason to be concerned about Michigan football’s defensive line earlier in the offseason but after spring ball, it’s not a huge worry. 

One of the most underrated players on the Michigan football team heading into the 2022 season is defensive tackle Mazi Smith. And defensive tackle might be the most underrated position on the entire team.

When Chris Hinton left early for the NFL draft and Michigan football also lost Donovan Jeter, depth was definitely a worry going into spring football.

However, there were a lot of positive signs in the spring. For starters, Mazi Smith was dominant and really appears to have taken another step forward. He feels poised for an All-Big Ten type of season and I expect him to be a day-two draft pick next spring.

A transfer that will help

The Wolverines also made another really solid addition in the transfer portal by signing former UCF starter Cam Goode. The 6-foot-2, 315-pound DT notched 11 tackles for loss, 42 tackles total, and six sacks in the last two seasons for the Knights.

But even without Goode, the depth chart was looking solid. Kris Jenkins has really taken a step forward and I was impressed with his play a year ago. I have zero doubt about his ability to fill Hinton’s role with little to no dropoff.

Jenkins had 22 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss last season and I wouldn’t be surprised if he followed in the footsteps of his father and uncle (Kris Jenkins and Cullen Jenkins) and made the NFL. If last year didn’t qualify as a breakout campaign, this year will for Jenkins.

Michigan football played with two defensive tackles a lot last year and I expect to see that again, although Jesse Minter is running the show now. The Wolverines have three solid guys in Smith, Jenkins, and Goode. Plus, there is promising talent behind those guys too.

Rayshaun Benny and George Rooks were each big additions for Michigan football late to the 2021 recruiting class and each should play significant snaps this season. Benny was really tough against the run in the spring game, while Rooks was too and flashed some interior pass-rush potential.

The interior pass rush is one thing that Mike Elston has talked about wanting to improve and it’s one way the Wolverines could compensate for less pressure on the edge.

With Smith, Rooks, Jenkins, Goode, and Benny, plus what Mike Morris can do as an inside pass rusher, the Wolverines should be much improved in that area.

Julius Welschof should get more reps too as he could fill that role of tall interior rusher Morris played last season, which would then allow Morris to work more exclusively on the edge.

Either way, Michigan should be just fine at defensive tackle heading into next season and frankly, the unit is going to play better than expected.