First-Half Grades For The Michigan Defense

Once again, the Maize and Blue have proven to be one of the nation's Top 25 defenses, and as we hit the halfway point in the season, the Wolverines have earned high marks on their report card.

Isaiah Hole

If you missed our first-half grades for the offense, click here. 

Defensive Line: B+

Aidan Hutchinson: A 

Kwity Paye: A-

Michael Dwumfour: B+ 

Mike Danna: B+

Carlo Kemp: B 

Ben Mason: C

Donovan Jeter: D

The defensive line (and the entire defense) had one really bad game at Wisconsin but has been otherwise solid, the line playing its part in holding opponents to 2.97 yards per rush while the Wolverines' linemen have nine of Michigan's 21 sacks.

Hutchinson has been the most consistent threat for the Maize and Blue up front, showing strength as a run defender while making a number of big plays (he has at least one tackle for loss in four of U-M's six games).

Paye burst out against Rutgers with 3.5 tackles for loss and then proved he could get it done against better competition, with 2.5 sacks against Iowa. He leads Michigan in sacks (4.5) and TFL (7.5) despite sitting out last weekend's game. 

Dwumfour's ability to get upfield and create pressure has been a key addition to the Wolverines' defense since returning from injury in Week 4 while we have seen the best play of Kemp's career lately. Danna has emerged as U-M's top reserve, and has two sacks and a forced fumble. 

Mason has been neutralized now that Michigan is in Big Ten play, matching up with bigger and more talented OLs. Jeter has been the biggest head-scratcher. So much spring and fall-camp hype and he has barely seen the field. His absence has created a huge hole depth-wise for U-M's interior. 

Linebackers: B+

Cam McGrone: A

Jordan Glasgow: A-

Josh Uche: B+

Khaleke Hudson: B

Josh Ross: C+

There was no way the Wolverines stood a chance at replacing All-American Devin Bush but the emergence of McGrone in Week 4 has been close. He brings an element of speed and athleticism in the middle of the defense that has allowed coordinator Don Brown to do all the things he likes to do with blitz packages and man-to-man defense. 

Glasgow is second on the team in tackles (47) and third on the team in sacks (four). Some fans will never move on from Glasgow being a former walk-on, but he's creating a legacy that could challenge his older brothers, Graham and Ryan. 

As seniors, Uche and Hudson have been what was expected: around the ball, creating disruption, but until this past weekend, lacking in stats - Uche picked up five of his 6.5 tackles for loss at Illinois while Hudson leads Michigan in stops with 58 but has just two behind the line of scrimmage. 

Ross has sat out the past three games with injury but was underwhelming in his three games. 

Cornerbacks: B

Lavert Hill: A-

Ambry Thomas: A-

Vincent Gray: B

Has any position reloaded and been as strong year-to-year over a five-season stretch in the last 25 years as the cornerback spot has been under position coach Mike Zordich? David Long moves on and in steps Thomas, who is allowing opposing QBs a measly 17.2 pass efficiency rating according to ProFootballFocus.com. Meanwhile, Hill continues to be an elite coverman; he leads the team in total passes defended with five (two interceptions, three pass breakups). 

A redshirt freshman, Gray is the newcomer to the group and has been more good than bad. The most recent memory of his struggles at Illinois seems to overshadow steady, consistent coverage in the first five weeks of the season.  

Safeties: A-

Josh Metellus: A

Daxton Hill: A

Brad Hawkins: B+

J'Marick Woods: B- 

Michigan's starting safeties, Metellus and Hawkins have combined for 71 tackles, and in a testament to the success of the "last line of defense" U-M ranks 13th nationally in allowing big plays defensively (17 of 20 yards or more), including 12 through the air, ranking the Wolverines ninth. 

Hill was slow out of the gate, but in the past three games, he's shown off the talent that earned him five stars on the recruiting trail. His explosiveness towards the line of scrimmage is better than any defensive back we've seen since ... No. 2. And his speed and athleticism gives him a chance to match up with any receiver in any situation, on any route. He is proving to be the difference when opponents try an abundance of crossing routes against Michigan. 

Woods has shown a few flashes and would be getting more run if Metellus and Hawkins were not as outstanding as they have been. 

Kickers: B-

Jake Moody: B+

Quinn Nordin: F

It is coaching malpractice if we see Nordin attempt another field goal. The redshirt junior has now missed five in a row dating back to last season and if the only reason he's getting chances is the threat of a transfer well then ... let him transfer.

Moody has missed one field goal this year, and even though it was a big one - a 34-yarder against Iowa that could have put Michigan up two scores in an eventual 10-3 win -- he is 5 of 6 on the year, 15 of 17 in his career, and has the steadiness necessary to be trusted in key moments moving forward.  

Punter: A

Will Hart: A

A former walk-on, Hart has continued to show off one of the biggest legs in Michigan history, averaging 46.5 yards per punt a year after averaging 47.0. He has nine punts of 50 yards or more this season and 29 in his career. He's averaging a 50+ yarder once ever 2.8 punts in his career, a mark equaled by only one other Wolverine ever (Kenny Allen, 2013-16).