The Michigan defense is already looking ferocious this next season, and the addition of Tré Williams is a big reason why. The Clemson transfer is looking to finish his college career strong, and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is just the way he is going to do it.
Williams had a great career at Clemson, totaling 722 snaps that produced 42 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, four sacks, two pass interceptions, and three fumble recoveries. Quickly after entering the portal, Williams selected Michigan as his next home, and his experience in talking with the coaches, including head coach Sherrone Moore, is really what sealed the deal.
With dreams of playing in the NFL, Williams feels like playing under a coach who already has NFL coaching experience is what will make his transition into the league next season easier. Martindale has a lot of experience at the next level coaching with the Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, and New York Giants, all as a defensive coordinator from 2004 to 2023.
Williams knows that at Michigan, he needs to be more than just a one-dimensional defensive lineman, so improving both his run-stopping ability and pass-rushing ability is the top of the list at Michigan. He is joining an elite defensive line that just sent two players to the NFL in the first round of the draft, so clearly, Michigan knows how to develop defensive linemen.
Michigan returns with a solid defense that can pick up any offensive struggles
Even with one of the worst offenses in college football last season, Michigan was still able to finish 7-6 on the season, and that was all thanks to the defensive play of the Wolverines. While Michigan did lose some key players like Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, this defense is still something to fear in college football.
The Wolverines' defense that beat out Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl didn't have the guys heading to the NFL Draft, which means that Michigan took down a top Alabama offense with backups. This Michigan defense is something that will be able to carry the offense until it gets back on its feet, and Williams is going to be a key contributor for the Wolverines this next season.