3 thoughts on Michigan football secondary after transfer portal commitments

Michigan football needed some reinforcements in the secondary and it has gotten some this week. First, there was the commitment of cornerback Aamir Hall.

Then, the Wolverines followed that up by landing one of the top safeties from the SEC last season in Wesley Walker, who annonced his commitment to Michgian football on Friday morning.

Both players are 6-foot-1, 200 pounds and each had over 50 tackles last season. Walker has played for Georgia Tech and Tennessee but has logged over 2,000 snaps and was the highest-graded safety returning to the SEC via PFF before he transferred.

Walker has just one career interception. But he has four seasons with at least 30 solo tackles. LSU was heavily in the mix. It looked like the Tigers might steal another commitment like they stole Jay'viar Suggs earlier this week, but Michigan football won out and here are three thoughts on the secondary, which could be getting another addition, too.

Walker can contribute in multiple ways

Whether it's a starting safety or even as a big nickel or dime back, Walker isn't just going to play safety for Michigan football. Calling him a defensive back is probably a better term. The Wolverines will use him in coverage and they'll take advantage of his tackling ability.

There was a highlight posted by Clint Brewster of 247 Sports in which he talked about how explosive Walker is, as well as his "quickness" in coverage. That's essential and having an explosive tackler, as Mike Sainristil was last season, is key. You need someone to blow up all the bubble screens and what not and Walker is made for that.

Who knows if Walker will start. He easily could alongside Makari Paige, but Quentin Johnson is also going to see some snaps. Last season, Michigan played four safeties. Keon Sabb saw some snaps as a sub-package defender, along with Mikey, and Walker should fill that role, on top of everything else.

So looking back to the spring, Walker is probably the Keon Sabb replacement. The replacement for Rod Moore could still be out there.

Secondary depth feels much better

Two days ago, secondary depth felt like a clear weakness for the Michigan football team. Now, after two transfer portal commitments in two days, that's no longer the case.

Hall and Walker could easily start next season for Michigan football. Walker has over 2,000 snaps. Hall has played a lot too. He was an FCS All-American and has had two seasons with at least 13 pass breakups. I don't care what level it is, that's impressive.

You also have a lot more options. The interest in Jaden Mangham is real and I wouldn't be surprised at all if that happened. But even if Michigan football doesn't get the Michigan State transfer, it now has Will Johnson, Jyaire Hil, Aamir Hall, and Ja'Den McBurrows at corner, plus Myles Pollard and Kody Jones. At safety, you now have Makari Paige, Johnson, Walker, Brandyn Hillman, and possibly Mangham.

Zeke Berry could figure into the safety position, but I see him as a nickel. McBurrows too, which is why another addition at corner or safety would be perfect. Yet, the Wolverines are deeper and more talented in the secondary, which was a focal point in the spring transfer window.

Tackling is a priority

When talking about the secondary, people often focus on coverage. That's important, don't get me wrong, but you need athletes who can tackle and that's Walker to a T.

As great as Mikey was in coverage, his tackling might have been his best attribute. How many big plays did Michigan football limit last season simply by getting guys to the ground? it was a huge factor in the national championship game.

It's one of the most overlooked aspects of great defense, but if you want to be elite on that side of the ball, you better be able to tackle, especially in space. Michigan has done that exceptionally well the past few seasons and both commitments are excellent tacklers.

Both bring plenty of the coverage side of things too, but with how wide open the game is nowadays, tackling is as important as it has ever been and that's another reason to love these additions.