3 predictions for Michigan football defense in 2024

Michigan football, the defending national champion of college football, opens the season ranked No. 9 in the AP poll, and one of the biggest reasons why this defense is expected to be elite.

Some have even argued that the Michigan football defense could be be even better in 2024. That remains to be seen, but there's no doubt that the Wolverines are loaded with star talent.

Mason Graham and Will Johnson are each projected to be top-10 picks. The Wolverines could have two others in Derrick Moore and Kenneth Grant. They also have future pros in Makari Paige, Zeke Berry, Jaishawn Barham, and Ernest Hausmann.

That's not all of them either. In addition to some new faces on the field, Michigan football will also have a new defensive coordinator in Wink Martindale and with all that in mind, here are three predictions for the Michigan defense in 2024.

The pass rush will be even better

Last season, Michigan football finished with 40 sacks, which was second in the Big Ten. The pass rush was really good but in 2024, it should be even better.

One reason for that is Derrick Moore. He's going to have a breakout season and will play like a first-round pick. The former top-100 recruit could be the next Wolverines player to reach double-digit sacks.

Josaiah Stewart isn't far behind. He's going to be another NFL draft pick and he was a big reason why Alabama was stuffed on the fourth down attempt in the Rose Bowl. Stewart is an excellent edge rusher too, plus you have two elite guys on the interior in Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant.

You also have guys like TJ Guy, Enow Etta, Rayshaun Benny, and Cameron Brandt who are expected to play bigger roles too and I believe this group will get more sacks than it did in 2023