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Michigan Football isn’t short on pass rush options

By Chris Peterson

Nov 13, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh walks on the field during a warm up prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh walks on the field during a warm up prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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The pass rush is maybe Michigan football’s biggest concern going into the 2022 season and here’s why it’s sounding even better in fall camp.

Michigan football and the lack of pass rush in the 2022 season has been a constant topic of conversation and it makes sense with the departures of Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo.

The Wolverines didn’t address the pass rush much in the transfer portal until recently when former five-star pass rusher Eyabi Anoma announced his move to Michigan.

Cam Goode was also added from Central Florida and his impact is being underrated. He’s a solid depth option at nose tackle and as a three-technique and he can rush from the inside.

Anoma started at Alabama and eventually wound up at UT-Martin where he graduated. He led the Ohio Valley Conference in sacks (six) and tackles for loss (8.5) in league play and while it’s the FCS, that level is better than people realize.

Therefore, I think Anoma is going to help Michigan this season. It’s going to take a minute to learn the scheme sure. But it’s not like Ojabo played a lot in non-pass-rushing situations. He started to do that more and more but part of his role was simply to get the quarterback.

At 6-foot-5, 244 pounds, it seems Anoma can do that and he’s not the only Michigan football player that could emerge as an unexpected pass-rush threat this season.

Julius Welschof is another guy I think will do well this season along with Braiden McGregor and true freshman Derrick Moore. However, Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider is reporting (subscription required) that Micah Pollard, another true freshman, has been turning heads.

Pollard was recruited as a linebacker but EDGE was talked about too. And since Jimmy Rolder and Deuce Spurlock have played well at linebacker, it’s not surprising Pollard is more of an EDGE.

Michigan football has pass-rush options

If Pollard and/or Moore can make an immediate impact this season, that would be huge for the Wolverines. If you consider those guys along with Mike Morris, Jaylen Harrel, Taylor Upshaw, and even T.J. Guy, Michigan isn’t short on options.

The sack production isn’t going to look at the same as last season — meaning most of the sacks won’t come from two guys.

But, it wouldn’t be surprising to me at all if this team was right around three sacks per game. Jesse Minter will find a way to dial up the pressure and with so many different options, some are bound to emerge as consistent threats to get home.

Next. Final game-by-game predictions for 2022. dark

Pollard and Anoma are just the latest to keep an eye on as the season gets closer.

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