Michigan Football: Safety depth gives DC Jesse Minter plenty of options

Michigan football lost two starters at safety after the 2021 season but there is plenty of depth and talent for new DC Jesse Minter.

While many defensive coordinators express a desire to be multiple in their scheme, it is impossible without versatile players to execute on the field.

Last year, safety Daxton Hill offered plenty of versatility as a deep safety and nickel back. Hill is off to the NFL along with his partner Brad Hawkins.

An added benefit of Hill moving around was it allowed Michigan football to get plenty of snaps for its young safeties.

As a result, Michigan football returns a safety room that is both talented and more experienced than you would expect despite losing two starters. New defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will have plenty of options on how to deploy them. Let’s examine them.

Expected starters

RJ Moten

Moten appeared in 14 games last season and started five of them. He recorded 34 tackles and one interception against Michigan State.

Moten has always been considered a big hitter and that showed in his run support. The coaches appeared to trust Rod Moore in coverage more than Moten and he lost playing time in the second half of the season. However, he is continuing to improve in coverage. He certainly has the agility and fluidity to stick in coverage.

Moten was a two-sport star in high school and he brings versatility to the football field as well. At 6-foot and 221, Moten brings linebacker size to the safety position.

Michigan did not use a VIPER last season, but if Minter wants to use a linebacker/safety hybrid in his defense, Moten is the most likely candidate. Pro Football Focus lists Moten as the No. 6 safety for the 2023 NFL Draft entering the 2022 season.

Rod Moore

Moore appeared in 11 games in 2021, and started four, tallying 32 tackles and one pass breakup. With Moten likely starting at strong safety, Moore will settle in at free safety and room centerfield.

However, Moore also got snaps in the slot last year. He could factor into the mix to replace Daxton Hill’s job at nickel corner.

Michigan has several candidates such as Mike Sainristil and Ja’Den McBurrows. Moore getting more time at nickel would allow Michigan to get more of its talented safety room on the field.

In The Mix

Makari Paige

While Michigan is likely to start Moten and Moore at safety, Makari Paige is one of the major reasons that is not set in stone.

Paige saw snaps in the 2020 shortened season and took his freshman lumps. He lost time last season with the emergence of Moten and Moore and recorded just two tackles.

However, Paige received extended time in the spring when Moore was sidelined with an injury and he took advantage of the opportunity. Paige was impressive in coverage and showed the tools that made him a highly touted recruit out of high school. Paige will be in the rotation this fall and Michigan will not lose much in quality when he is out there.

Quentin Johnson

I have always felt that Johnson was a forgotten man in Michigan’s safeties room. Thus far, he has contributed exclusively on special teams. However, Johnson is a big hitter with 4.4 speed on a 5-foot-11 200-pound frame.

Johnson may need a big fall camp to steal snaps away from some of the guys ahead of him. However, I have no doubts he would be a productive player for the Wolverines if given the opportunity.

The Freshmen

Keon Sabb was an early enrollee and he had a solid spring. Like Moten, Sabb has the frame to play a hybrid linebacker/safety, but Sabb brings more length at 6-foot-2.

However, Zeke Berry is the freshman safety I am most excited about. Berry was ranked 171st in the 247Sports Composite, but 247Sports own rankings list him 53rd overall. I am much more inclined to agree with 247Sports as I had Berry as the second-best recruit in Michigan’s 2022 class behind Will Johnson.

Berry has the quickness and coverage ability to cover in man in the slot. He also has good awareness dropping into a zone and covering the deep middle of the field. He is physical in run support and not afraid to stick his nose in the fray.

Berry might also get some reps on offense down the line. He will be behind the eight ball a bit as a summer enrollee. That may limit him to a special teams role for this season. However, Berry has the talent to crack the rotation by midseason.

Damani Dent is the three-star of the bunch. He has the talent to outplay his ranking, but he will be in a fight for playing time over the next couple of years. The competition should make Michigan better this season and down the line. It will also give Jesse Minter plenty of options at his disposal.