Michigan football is in Florida preparing for the Reliaquest Bowl on December 31 against Alabama. The Wolverines took the practice field for the first time and it was open to reporters.
Michigan’s starting DL in warmups: TJ Guy, Derrick Moore, Rayshaun Benny, Trey Pierce
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) December 27, 2024
Second string: Cam Brandt, Dominic Nochols, Enow Etta, Ike Iwunnah
We learned quite a bit on Friday. The offense will look much different as Jordan Marshall will be the starting running back. He'll get plenty of chances to show what he can do. Benjamin Hall and Andrew Sprague (right tackle) will too.
But there are also some interesting tidbits about the defensive line. Mason Graham, Kennth Grant, and Josaiah Stewart are all out. They have all declared for the NFL draft and don't need to risk anything for a mostly meaningless game.
Opportunities for Michigan football D-line
Rayshaun Benny will get the start inside alongside Trey Pierce at defensive tackle. Derrick Moore and T.J. Guy started at EDGE, which is a likely preview of the front four next season. Michigan could use another defensive tackle but they also have some promising young players at EDGE such as Dominic Nichols and Cameron Brandt, as well as Enow Etta who is still getting reps at defensive tackle.
This will be a chance for those guys to prove themselves. Nichols is a freshman but has generated some positive buzz and I'm excited to see what some of these Michigan football players will do with the opportunity afforded to them.
In terms of Moore, Benny, and T.J. Guy, there have been strong indications that they will be back next season, and playing in this game is another sign of that. Jaishawn Barham was also out there and the secondary had many of the same players outside of Will Johnson.
Stopping Alabama will be a challenge and would have been even if Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant had played, but the Wolverines still have some talented players on the defensive line.
It's time to see what they can do.