3 eye-openers from Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh at Big Ten Media Days
Harbaugh’s defensive expectations
Going into the 2022 season, most people are expecting Michigan football to be better on offense compared to the 2021 season and not quite as good on the defensive side of the ball.
The logic makes sense. The Wolverines have both of their quarterbacks returning from 2021, as well as the majority of their offensive starters including guys like Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards, Cornelius Johnson, Erick All, and Ronnie Bell, Roman Wilson — the list goes on and on.
It wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if this was the best offense Jim Harbaugh has coached at Michigan. This group has 40 points-per-game potential.
Yet, the thing that grabbed my attention was when Harbaugh said the defense could be even better than last year’s which featured Aidan Hutchinson, David Ojabo, and Daxton Hill.
Harbaugh refers to his team as a "no-star defense" in reference to hungry guys across the board and good competition. Says he thinks they have a shot to be even better.
— Anthony Broome (@anthonytbroome) July 26, 2022
Said last year was a "no-star offense," but "now you have some legitimate stars over there."
If you look at the defense, it’s hard to find weaknesses. Yes, the pass rush is a concern but Mike Morris and the guys should be able to generate enough pressure, and the tandem inside of Mazi Smith and Kris Jenkins is going to be legit.
I firmly believe Junior Colson is going to have a Devin-Bush kind of breakout season, plus you have Nikai Hill-Green and Jaylen Harrell, as well as Michael Barrett.
DJ Turner proved to be a stellar No. 1 corner last season, plus Gemon Green and Mike Sainristil make up a really solid top three, a top three five-star freshman Will Johnson could easily crack.
Michigan lost both starters at safety but has RJ Moten and Rod Moore, who each started games last season, plus dynamic newcomers such as Zeke Berry and Keon Sabb.
dark. Next. 3 takeaways from Michigan's Big Ten Media Days
At the very least, the defense shouldn’t take a big step back from 2021 and if that winds up being true, the Wolverines will have a good shot at winning the Big Ten again in 2022.