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Michigan Football: Spring Ball Analysis and Changes

By Jordan Bruetsch

Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second half of the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second half of the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Braiden McGregor (17) during the second half H| at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Braiden McGregor (17) during the second half H| at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Improved defensive line

Last year, the Wolverines struggled to generate a pass rush. Too often, opposing quarterbacks had all day to throw. This year, that looks poised to change.

Starting with the defensive tackles, Mason Graham and Kris Jenkins have stolen the show at the position. All indications are that Jenkins is going to have a monster year, and Mason Graham, well, he’s Mason Graham.

Both are going to be superstars this year for Michigan football, and it’s going to be tough to block the middle of the defensive line. Oh, and 350-pound Kenneth Grant has improved too. Good luck stopping this interior line.

Moving to the EDGE positions, there is a lot of confidence that the group will be improved from last year. While Mike Morris was great, Michigan football didn’t really have a great EDGE presence. Pass rush wins games, and too often the Wolverines couldn’t get to the quarterback. That seems like it’s going to change.

Braiden McGregor seems poised for a massive breakout season. He was excellent at the end of last season, and all reports are that he is continuing to build off of that success. At 6’6 260lbs, he’s got an almost identical build compared to Aidan Hutchinson.

While I’m not at all suggesting he will have a Hutch-like season, he does have star potential rushing the passer. I’m confident that he will have at least 5 sacks this season, with the potential to approach double digits.

On the other side, (soon-to-be) sophomore Derrick Moore has turned a lot of heads. Moore looked great as a freshman technique-wise, but his body wasn’t quite ready to match up against Big Ten linemen.

With a year under his belt, Moore looks poised for a bigger role. I’ve always been a huge believer in Moore’s potential, and while next year likely won’t be his best year, he’ll look to be a big contributor.

Lastly, Josiah Stewart deserves a mention. While the Coastal Carolina transfer is a bit undersized at 6’2, he looks to be a playmaker for the Wolverines. He’s an extremely hard worker, and there is a reason the staff was so high on him. Look for him to be competing for, if not winning, a starting job at EDGE.

This is going to be the deepest Michigan football defensive line since 2016. While they may not have the star power of 2021, they have a whole lot of guys who can play.

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