Michigan Football defense ranked 2nd by ESPN heading into 2023

ESPN put together a ranking of the top 10 defenses in college football heading into 2023 and Michigan football is ranked No. 2 on the list. 

Lots of Michigan football fans are focused on recruiting right now and it would be hard not to be with the way the Wolverines have been attacking things.

However, we are closing in on the start of the 2023 college football season. That means preseason lists, rankings, and all that sort of stuff.

One such ranking released by ESPN this week put together a list of the top 10 defensive units heading into the 2023 college football season.

Georgia held the No. 1 spot. That’s not much of a surprise. The Bulldogs are absolutely loaded.  Kirby Smart probably doesn’t get enough credit for his defensive coaching prowess. He does, but probably not as much as he should get.

People talk about talent. But developing that talent isn’t automatic. At any rate, Michigan football has proven to be pretty good at developing talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

The Wolverines are ranked second by ESPN in terms of the best defensive units and that sounds about right.

Michigan football lost a bunch of starters to the NFL last season such as Mazi Smith, Mike Morris, DJ Turner, and others. But there isn’t any concern about a lack of talent on defense. At least there shouldn’t be.

Michigan did a great job of addressing some needs in the transfer portal, which includes the recent signing of Josh Wallace, who transferred from UMass. He’s played over 2,000 snaps in his college career, is 6-foot-1, and has 20 pass breakups, as well as 64 solo tackles the past two seasons.

Ernest Hausmann is going to be a big addition at linebacker. Michigan football was already set there with Junior Colson, Michael Barrett, Jimmy Rolders, and others. Now, the Wolverines have a bunch of future pros at the spot.

Hell, that’s true of every single position. Will Johnson is the best cornerback in college football or at least, he will be in the 2023 season. Rod Moore and Makari Paige are an elite safety tandem, plus there is more than enough at cornerback.

The defense line features another dude in Kris Jenkins that I believe will be a first-round pick. Derrick Moore has early-draft potential too heading into his sophomore season, Braiden McGregor seems poised to breakout (he dominated against Ohio State last year), and also added talented EDGE Josaiah Stewart from Coastal Carolina.

Stewart had 25.5 tackles for loss including 16.0 sacks, and four forced fumbles during his time at Coastal. He’s a two-time All-Sun Belt selection and shored up another potential need.

When you talk about Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Rayhsaun Benny up front too and it’s easy to see why ESPN ranked Michigan football where it did.

Now, it’s up to J.J. McCarthy to get the offense and the Wolverines to the next level — which means winning the national title.