The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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APRIL 2019 THE WOLVERINE 41 ously a great advantage to a guy like Greg Mattison, who has decades of experience in coaching guys. "There's also a huge advantage when you have a guy that is not that far removed from actually being on the field teaching the guys what tech- niques work. Football changes on a yearly basis. It changes week to week. "There are new schemes, new tech- niques. Guys like [redshirt junior de- fensive tackle] Michael Dwumfour are not going to forget what Greg Mat- tison taught him. Same with [senior defensive tackle] Carlo Kemp. But now those guys can infuse some of the new things that Shaun Nua is bringing to that group and asking them to execute. That's extremely exciting. You're going to see some explosive plays made by those defensive linemen." Kemp is the only returning full-time starter up front, but junior defensive end Kwity Paye saw plenty of run (in- cluding four starts) when Gary was ailing. Paye earned three Defensive Lineman of the Week notices for his ef- forts, and he's one of several expected to step up. "Michael Dwumfour is poised to have a monster year," Jansen said. "[Redshirt sophomore defensive line- man] Donovan Jeter, I think, is going to have a big year. Another guy who played a little bit last year and who I'm very excited about is [sophomore defensive end] Aidan Hutchinson. "This guy has the talent and the abil- ity of a Rashan Gary, and the work ethic of a Chase Winovich. He's got the work ethic that his dad [U-M All-American Chris Hutchinson] gave him. I can- not wait to see what the next couple of years bring for Aidan Hutchinson. I am so excited to see him this spring." The Wolverines retain the majority of their linebackers, but replacing the fiery, fleet-footed captain Bush isn't a simple task. "Devin Bush is a special football player," Jansen said. "Not just for the plays he could make, in terms of being able to run fast, hit hard, explode. He is a guy who was a captain, a leader on the field, got everybody together and going in the right direction, and a guy that people believed in." Junior Josh Ross is expected to step into that spot, and he's determined to provide everything needed. "Can he play that position? Abso- lutely," Jansen said. "When you look at Josh Ross and the way he runs, it's very similar to Devin Bush. We saw some hits he made last year. "Can he get there and deliver a blow? Absolutely. It's going to be, can he handle how things look on the inside, from that middle linebacker position? Can he handle the extras, making the calls, the mental side of it? That's where he's going to have to grow as a football player." Returning viper Khaleke Hudson, a senior, is looking to return to his sophomore self after a bit of a slip back last season. "This will be his third year in the viper role," Jansen said. "We've got experience, but it's a matter of who is going to be that quarterback on defense? That's what we're going to have to see in spring ball — who steps up to make the calls on defense?" Redshirt junior weakside linebacker Devin Gil returns after a year of start- ing, while former five-star recruit and redshirt freshman Cameron McGrone will challenge for time. Senior Josh Uche remains as a linebacker/rush end that will torment quarterbacks. Others — like redshirt sophomore inside 'backer Jordan Anthony, an- other former five-star — get their chance to carve out a niche. "He's been at Michigan a couple of years, and we need to be able to see what he can do on the field when it matters most," Jansen said. "It's a pass-fail sort of grade. You get a job done or you don't. It's time for Jordan Anthony to step up and be the guy that can get it done." Michigan's secondary will be get- ting it done with two returning senior All-Big Ten performers, cornerback Lavert Hill and safety Josh Metellus. Filling the spots of Long and safety Tyree Kinnel will be crucial. Junior corner Ambry Thomas will never see a more wide-open door than he's staring down this spring. "He's got speed," Jansen said of Thomas. "He's got athletic ability. Now we see him utilize it in the posi- tions he was recruited for. He's wear- ing that No. 1, so there are going to be a whole lot of eyeballs on what he's able to do this year. "He's going to have to play well. I'd like to see him there." Challengers are around at safety, such as juniors J'Marick Woods, Jay- len Kelly-Powell and Brad Hawkins. Look for five-star freshman safety Daxton Hill and his 4.3 speed to eventually make a run. Jansen likened Hill to his former teammate, ferocious hitter Sean Tay- lor, while at the same time cautioning he has a lot to learn. "When you're talking about play- ing against Ohio State, when you have a big body at safety like that, that can drop the hammer like I've seen Daxton Hill do on film, I am very excited about lining up against the Buckeyes at the end of Novem- ber," Jansen said. Many are right with him on that score. They just know — with Brown at the top of the list — the bottom line must change. ❑ Former Michigan All-American Jon Jansen said of sophomore defensive end Aidan Hutchinson: "This guy has the talent and the ability of a Rashan Gary, and the work ethic of a Chase Winovich." PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN