Defensive Help May Be On The Way For Michigan Football

It's been trending this way for a few weeks, but it sounds like a couple of stars are getting closer and closer to a return.

Through three weeks, Michigan has the top-ranked scoring defense (5.3 points) and the No. 2 total defense (222.3 yards per game), and the caveat to it is, that the Wolverines have done it without arguably their two best players on the defensive side of the ball. 

Sophomore Will Johnson, a preseason All-American, has played eight snaps this season -- all came against UNLV in Week 2. He's been battling an injury that has sidelined him, but he has looked good during pregame workouts. 

Michigan's other All-American candidate, Rod Moore, has yet to play a down during his junior year at Michigan. Moore was ruled out this past game against Bowling Green, but like Johnson, he has looked ready to go during pregame workouts the first couple of weeks. 

According to defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, both of them are getting extremely close to playing again. 

"I think we're really, really close to having a full tilt back there," said Minter on Wednesday. "I'll leave it at that. Will be hopefully fun to see those guys back out there."

The other starting safety, Makari Paige, has missed some time of his own due to an injury, but despite not having three star players, the Michigan secondary has been sensational.

To go along with Mike Sainristil, transfer Josh Wallace and veteran -- but inexperienced cornerback -- Keshaun Harris have both emerged into serviceable starters. Michigan also has seen a huge progression from safeties Keon Sabb and Quinten Johnson since a year ago. Injuries are unfortunate, but the absence of Johnson, Moore, and Paige has allowed younger players to gain valuable experience. 

"I really just think all those guys that haven't played for us before, when you look at Josh Wallace, Keshaun Harris, Jyaire Hill, DJ Waller, Keon Sabb at safety, Quinten Johnson could get even more run than he's having in the past," stated Minter. "When you think about it over the course of the year, hopefully 12, 13, 14, 15 game season, you're going to need depth. Things come up. Just really pleased with how those guys have played, how they've learned to prepare, which I think is just as big of a piece as they've learned our process and game-planning our process, studying opponents. Now they have some more confidence because they've played in games. I expect all those guys to still have roles for us even when we get healthy."

The next chance you may see the duo play is Saturday against Rutgers. The game will begin at Noon ET on Big Ten Network.