Predicting Michigan Football Defensive Depth Chart In 2023
In just a little over a week, Michigan football will officially be back. The Wolverines are set to open the season in Week 1 against East Carolina and while we may know what the starting lineup might look like when the defense takes the field -- there are battles still happening.
I'm going to do my best to predict what the Michigan defense will look like this fall. Here is what I think the two-deep is going to look like, plus I'll show what the other 'depth' options look like.
I predicted the offensive depth chart on Wednesday and you can see that here if you missed it.
Edge Rushers
Starters: Braiden McGregor and Jaylen Harrell
Primary Backups: Derrick Moore and Josaiah Stewart
Depth: TJ Guy, Kechaun Bennett, Tyler McLaurin
I like the veterans to get the first crack at starting this season. It feels like it's Braiden McGregor's time to shine since he is fully healthy this season. And Jaylen Harrell is back after starting all but one game in 2022. Harrell had 3.5 sacks ago -- the most of any returning Edge rusher.
But Michigan enjoys rotating linemen to keep players fresh, so expect to see a ton of sophomore Derrick Moore and Coastal Carolina transfer Josaiah Stewart. Moore is a physical specimen standing at 6-foot-3, 258-pounds. He has one season under his belt and Moore is ready for more snaps in 2023.
Josaiah Stewart comes in with plenty of accolades during his time at CC. He had 12.5 sacks as a true freshman which earned him freshman All-American status. His numbers dipped a little in 2022 after recording three sacks, but teams started double-teaming him.
Defensive Line:
Nose Tackle: Mason Graham
Defensive Tackle: Kris Jenkins
Primary Backups: Kenneth Grant and Rayshaun Benny
Depth: Cam Goode, Reece Atteberry, Trey Pierce, Cameron Brandt
Like the Edge rushers, Michigan will rotate the defensive line in and out to keep players fresh. But Kris Jenkins should see substantial playing time this season after coming back for another year in Ann Arbor and he's getting first-round buzz in the upcoming draft. He led the defensive line in 2022 with 54 tackles.
I like Mason Graham to see the start after seeing 303 snaps his freshman year in 2022. Graham is a run-stuffer after getting a 78.3 run-stopping grade via PFF in 2022. His backup, Kenneth Grant, is no slouch either. He saw 104 snaps in his true freshman year. Grant is a huge body that will clog up the middle. Rayshaun Benny is also back after seeing more playing time in '22 and he has the ability to get to the passer and clogging the middle.
Linebackers:
Starters: Junior Colson and Michael Barrett
Primary Backups: Ernest Hausmann and Jaydon Hood
Depth: Jimmy Rolder, Joey Velazquez, Semaj Bridgeman
Michigan has a stout linebacking unit in 2023 with the addition of Nebraska transfer Ernest Hausmann. Hausmann has the ability to become the best linebacker on the team, but he has Junior Colson and longtime Wolverine, Michael Barrett, in his path.
Colson is a tackling machine -- he led the team with 101 tackles in 2022. His sidekick, Barrett, was second on the team with 72 tackles. Hausmann started seven games as a true freshman for the Cornhuskers in 2022 and had 54 tackles.
Entering fall camp I would've put Jimmy Rolder as a primary backup after he played 155 snaps his true freshman season at Michigan and he impressed mightily. But it sounds as if Jaydon Hood is having a camp of his life. The defensive players and Jim Harbaugh have made it a habit to mention Hood's name during media availability. It's also worth noting Hood was made available to the media which usually means a player will see playing time. Hood has four tackles during his two years with Michigan.
Cornerbacks:
Starters: Will Johnson, Josh Wallace, Mike Sainristil (Nickel)
Primary Backups: Ja'Den McBurrows, Amorion Walker, Kody Jones
Depth: Keshaun Harris, Myles Pollard, Cam Calhoun, Jyaire Hill
There's not much to say about Will Johnson or Mike Sainristil, they are both locked into starting roles and are in store for big-time seasons. The real question is who starts opposite of Johnson?
My money is on UMass transfer Josh Wallace. Jim Harbaugh brought him in late and there is probably a reason for it. Wallace brings valuable experience to the Wolverines. He played more than 2,000 snaps and started in 34 games for the Minutemen.
Michigan likes what it has with Ja'Den McBurrows and Amorion Walker but both are extremely raw and need some playing time. Bringing in Wallace is a good way to slowly ease the two young guys into playing time.
Jim Harbaugh has been high on his freshman corners Cam Calhoun and Jyaire Hill so it won't be shocking to see either get some playing time this season.
Safeties:
Starters: Rod Moore and Makari Paige
Primary Backups: Zeke Berry and Keon Sabb
Depth: Quinten Johnson, Caden Kolesar
Even with Michigan losing RJ Moten to the Florida Gators this offseason, the Wolverines still have one of the best safety duos in the country with Rod Moore and Makari Paige. Moore led the team last season with four interceptions and was third on the team with 71 tackles. Paige had one interception and 41 tackles as well.
I like the two young guns Berry and Sabb to see more playing time this season. Both were highly touted coming out of high school. Berry showed plenty of promise during the spring game and coaches have said Sabb is impressing more and has matured. The Wolverines enjoy playing three safeties at a time, so I think both will see some solid time -- but expect to see Berry on the field more
Veterans Quinten Johnson and Caden Kolesar might be in the mix as well.
