Best nuggets from Michigan Football defensive coaches

Some of Michigan football’s defensive coaches talked to the media on Thursday and here are some of the top nuggets of information. 

The biggest question facing the Michigan football defense in 2022 is how are the Wolverines going to replace some of their most talented defenders from last season?

Aidan Hutchinson is the first name that comes to mind as the No. 2 overall pick. But Daxton Hill and David Ojabo were also picked in the first two rounds and each left a big hole on the defense.

Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter talked about the pass rush Thursday and even though Michigan might have not any superstars, Minter said he wants to see multiple guys emerge.

"“I hope it’s multiple guys,” Minter said. I think we have some edge players — Mike Morris, Braiden McGregor, Taylor Upshaw, Jaylen Harrell — that have the capabilities of being good rushers. [Veteran tackles] Kris Jenkins and Mazi Smith have the ability to push from the inside. [Freshman] Mason Graham, [grad transfer] Cam Goode — all these guys have capabilities of being good rushers.”"

Morris is a guy that seems poised for a breakout season and the interior pass rush should be much better. Mazi Smith, Kris Jenkins, Cam Goode, plus freshmen Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant.

Braiden McGregor has a lot of similarities to Hutchinson and he was a borderline top-100 recruit. He’s healthy now and it woud be great for him to emerge.

There are some other younger options such as TJ Guy, Kechaun Bennett, and freshman Derrick Moore. Minter also talked about how some of the returning players could be even better.

"“All those guys as they’ve learned in the second year as we’ve progressed, they understand how to drop now,” Minter said. “When you talk about the edge position, it’s can he rush the passer, can he set the edge, and can he be in the right spot when we ask him to drop? We don’t want to put him in bad situations where he can be in a bad matchup."

Latest on Michigan football secondary battles

In terms of the secondary, there were a few positions open and one of those could go to Mike Sainristil who has moved from wide receiver to cornerback.

Sainristill still plays some offense but he looked really natural in the spring game at the nickel position. Steve Clinkscale, the co-defensive coordinator said that Will Johnson, Kody Jones, and others were getting snaps there too.

I’ve always thought Johnson would be a great candidate for that spot, depending on who is being used in the slot by the offense. Charles Woodson dominated the NFL from that spot and Daxton Hill was pretty good for the Wolverines as a (mostly) slot defender a year ago.

Here’s what Clink said:

"“He, DJ Turner has given us some nickel reps, Will Johnson, Kody, and, of course, Rod Moore,” Clinkscale said of who could play nickel for Michigan. “And everybody knows it. Both the Green brothers [graduates Gemon and German], all the safeties, they all know nickel. We’ve done a great job of teaching everybody the position. Now, whoever’s going to play it will be game to game, and it definitely will be up to their ability and camp and what they’re doing. But Mikey is doing a great job, and we’ve seen so many guys do some good things in there. We’ll keep breeding that position."

In a broad sense, we didn’t learn that much from Clink and Minter, beyond that some young guys are standing out and there are a number of candidates to fill the vacancies left up front and in the secondary.

There are some really solid options at EDGE, safety, and cornerback, while linebacker and defensive tackle should have more than enough depth, especially with the emergence of Michael Barrett at linebacker, plus the addition of Goode from the portal on the D-line.

The defense might not be quite as good as last season but the Wolverines, who allowed an average of 17 points per game in 2021, could see that average rise a couple of points, however, anymore, any defense keeping teams to an average under 20 is solid.

As long as that is accompanied by sacks and turnovers, that’s all you really need.