COLUMN: Three Michigan Football Defensive Players To Have A Breakout 2023 Season

The Wolverines' defense is loaded for the 2023 campaign. But there are always players who have bigger seasons than anticipated.

Last week I had an article predicting which three Michigan football offensive players would have 'breakout' campaigns in 2023. 

Now, I'm going to switch over to the defense and predict three Wolverines to have breakout years. 

Michigan did lose some production from the 2022 squad. Mazi Smith, Mike Morris, DJ Turner, Eyabi Okie Nikhai Hill-Green, and RJ Moten are all gone to either the NFL or transferred. A few of those players were major contributors to what the Wolverines did on defense, but the good thing about what the Wolverines do -- so many players rotate in for game experience. 

So who can make the big leap in 2023? Here are my three predictions.

Braiden McGregor

With the loss of Mike Morris, McGregor should get the first chance to step right in and lead the edge group

For the fourth year in a row, Michigan lost its leading sack-getter from the previous season (2019: Josh Uche, 2020: Carlo Kemp/Kwity Paye, 2021: Aiden Hutchinson, and 2022: Mike Morris).

Morris racked up 7.5 sacks last year for Michigan and Eyabi Okie --also gone -- was second on the team with 4.5

So the Wolverines need to replace 12 sacks in terms of production entering 2023. It's safe to assume Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor will get the first nod at starting this season at Edge for Michigan. Harrell had 3.5 sacks and McGregor had two sacks a year ago. 

Also in the picture is sophomore Derrick Moore and transfer Josaiah Stewart -- who was a sack machine at Coastal Carolina. All four players are set to get big playing time in '23, but who is going to take charge and lead the group?

My best guess is senior, and former four-star, Braiden McGregor. 

McGregor was hit with the injury bug coming into Michigan in 2020. He played behind Hutchinson and David Ojabo in 2021, and last year, he played in all 14 games -- even having some big moments. 

It may not be a fair comparison, but he has been compared to legend, Aiden Hutchinson. Both are long, athletic, and have the ability to take off to get to the quarterback. McGregor has been biding his time and entering his senior season, it feels like it's his time to shine. If he can put all the pieces together in '23, then the Wolverines pass rush will be just as a good -- if not better -- this season. 

Mason Graham

As a true freshman a year ago, Mason Graham stepped right into the spotlight and shined. 

During my 'three breakout performers' a year ago, I put Rayshaun Benny in this spot. While I think Benny is a sound player and will get a big opportunity, I think Mason Graham will elevate his game to higher levels as a sophomore.

Let's get this out of the way, the Wolverines are stacked in the interior. Kris Jenkins is getting All-American hype, and between Graham, Benny, Kenneth Grant, and Cam Goode, Michigan has more than enough talent. 

But with the loss of Mazi Smith, someone new has to start for Michigan in 2023 and my bet is on Graham.

In 2022, Graham played in all 14 games and tallied 27 tackles and two sacks. His play earned him freshman All-American by PFF. 

The former four-star prospect in up to 317-pounds and will be a force up the middle stopping the run. Last year, he was behind on Jenkins (36) and Smith (32) with run stops -- Graham had 17. 

Graham was also No. 4 on the entire team grading out with an 83.4 tackle grade from PFF. Once Graham gets his hands on the ball carrier, you can just about guarantee he is going down. 

Keon Sabb

Keon Sabb (middle) sat during his freshman season. But with RJ Moten gone, he has the opportunity to earn time. 

I may be taking a giant leap on this one, but Keon Sabb has a ton to like about his game. 

Sabb, once a five-star recruit, came to Michigan in the class of 2022 as a four-star safety. He appeared in four games last year playing mostly on special teams. 

The Wolverines lost RJ Moten, who transferred to Florida, but the thing about Michigan is it likes to play three safties. Moten (14 games), Makari Paige (12 games), and Rod Moore (14 games) played in most of the games and gave significant production to the Wolverines' defense. 

Obviously, Moore and Paige are cemented in as the starting safties, but assuming Michigan continues to play the same defense as it did last year, either Sabb or Zeke Berry are primed to get big playing time this year. Berry also has a ton to like about him, and it's possible they split time, but there is something about Sabb that catches my eyes. 

Sabb is listed a 6-foot-1 which is fantastic size to play against taller receivers. He played some quarterback in high school, so he has the ability to see the field at a high level which can only help playing on defense. 

Sabb probably won't put up the numbers like Amorion Walker, Josh Wallace, or Ja'Den McBurrows puts up at corner, but going from Sabb's freshman year to his sophomore campaign -- I expect Sabb to breakout.