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Michigan Football: Spring depth chart projection for the Wolverines

By Chris Peterson

Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh watches as J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up before they take on the TCU Horned Frogs in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Rondone-Arizona RepublicNcaa Fiesta Bowl Game
Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh watches as J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up before they take on the TCU Horned Frogs in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Rondone-Arizona RepublicNcaa Fiesta Bowl Game /
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Wolverines defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) tackles Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Xavier Johnson (10) during first-half action at Ohio Stadium in Columbus Saturday, November 26, 2022.Michohio 112622 Kd 3450
Wolverines defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) tackles Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Xavier Johnson (10) during first-half action at Ohio Stadium in Columbus Saturday, November 26, 2022.Michohio 112622 Kd 3450 /

D-Line1: Mason Graham, Kris Jenkins, Kenneth Grant; D-line2: Rayshaun Benny, Cam Goode

Mazi Smith was a big loss but Michigan football is loaded on the defensive line and it starts with Kris Jenkins. He was a potential first-round pick that decided to come back after 54 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks last season.

Those stats don’t really tell the entire story. He’s got All-American potential in my opinion and might be the best run-defending defensive tackle coming back in the Big Ten.

Mason Graham makes the loss of Smith sting much less. He was dominant last season and not just against the run. He had 27 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2.5 TFL. Kenneth Grant should also take a big jump while Rayshaun Benny has been getting better and better too.

The top four guys are all pretty interchangeable to me in terms of the interior defensive line.

EDGE1: Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor; EDGE2: Derrick Moore, Josaiah Stewart

Like the defensive line, I feel really good about the top four EDGE guys for Michigan football. Harrell isn’t talked about enough. His ability to set the edge is really high-level. McGregor also took a big step at the end of last season and is finally healthy.

McGregor has been coming back from a knee injury he suffered as a high school senior and it limited the start of his career but he had a breakout performance and was huge vs OSU.

Derrick Moore flashed plenty of ability too and Stewart is a guy who had double-digit sacks back in 2021. Those four players combined for 11 sacks last season and in 2023, I would expect that number to double.

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