Michigan Football: Comparing the 2021 defense to the 2022 version
By Nick Popio
The front seven
Joining him in the front four are guys like Mike Morris, Kris Jenkins, Jalyn Harrell, Derrick Moore, Eyabi Anoma, and more.
Mason Graham is one of those extra bodies, not mentioned, that will be starting in base situations according to coach Harbaugh. He’s been a revelation in camp as a true freshman.
The edge players won’t combine for 25 sacks from two players like they did a season ago, but a realistic expectation from them would be more of a combined effort from all of them who suit up on Saturdays. It’s unlikely that one or two sack specialist piles up the numbers again, so it’s hard to imagine them being so dominant like they were with their two best rushers moving on.
Junior Colson roams the middle and has a lot of weight on his shoulders as he will be counted on to be an all Big Ten performer sooner rather than later. He’ll look to pace the team in tackling with thin depth behind him. Nikhai Hill-Green is the other starter.
When Minter implements the 4-2-5, these two will get most of the time on the field. Veteran Michael Barrett is the main reserve, along with Kalel Mullings, who when not fighting to be the third running back on offense, should get lots of looks when spelling these two.