The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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42 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2020 PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN 2020 FOOTBALL ANALYSIS.. DEFENSIVE BACKS BY THE NUMBERS 2 T u r n o v e r s a c - c o u n t e d f o r b y Thomas in Michigan's win over Iowa. The cornerback came up with both an inter- ception and a fumble recovery to help the Wolverines past the Hawkeyes. 4 C o m b i n e d i n t e r - ceptions in 2019 by returning players this season. Thomas has three of them, so oth- ers will be looking to join the club. 52nd The national rank- ing for Thomas and Lavert Hill a year ago, with their three pick- offs apiece. 126.21 M i c h i g a n's t e a m pass efficienc y de - fense in 2019, good for 44th in the nation. Ohio State led the country at 97.50. WHO'S GONE Cornerback Lavert Hill Hill registered as a first-team All-Big Ten pick by both coaches and media, after a career featuring 37 starts and third-team All-America recognition (Associated Press) in 2018. Opposing quarterbacks welcome this departure. Safety Josh Metellus Metellus made 38 career starts for the Wolverines, twice making one of the top three All-Big Ten squads. He directed the secondary, finishing third on the team in tackles as a senior with 74. WHO'S BACK Senior cornerback Ambry Thomas Thomas earned Michigan's award for Defensive Skill Player of the Year, given his nose for the football. He tied with Hill for the team leadership in interceptions with three, and recovered a pair of fumbles. Redshirt sophomore cornerback Vincent Gray The third-year Wolverine has seen action during 16 games in his Michigan career, and proved first in as a sub at cornerback last season. He came up with 20 tackles and five passes broken up in 2019, and can set his sights much higher this season. Senior safety Brad Hawkins Hawkins settled into a full-time starting role last year, finishing sixth on the team with 53 tackles. He'll be looked upon to take a greater leadership role in the secondary, with Metellus and Hill gone. Sophomore safety Daxton Hill A different Hill burst onto the scene in 2019, and the former five-star recruit out of Oklahoma carries big expec- tations this year. Named the team's Defensive Rookie of the Year, he played in all 13 games, with 36 tackles, three passes broken up, an interception and a pair of fumble recoveries. TOP NEWCOMER Safety Jordan Morant Morant comes out of Bergen Catholic High in New Jer- sey, ranked as high as No. 9 in the nation at his position. The consensus four-star prospect and top-10 recruit out of New Jersey should be able to provide some immediate depth to a position where it's needed. "There's more speed this year. Using the experience they had last year, this is going to be one of the best groups we've seen in a while at Michigan." — Michigan All-American Jon Jansen QUOTABLE POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH Gray should start at corner opposite Thomas, but keep an eye on redshirt freshman D.J. Turner and redshirt sophomore Gemon Green. They'll be fighting for a job in the fall and future considerations. BY JOHN BORTON M ichigan once again in 2019 featured a top-10 pass defense, in terms of average yards given up per game. The Wolverines checked in 10th nationally, surrendering just 185.5 passing yards per game. When it came time to slow down the high flyers, though, U-M showed it still has some work to do. Ohio State threw for 313 yards in its 56-27 win in Michigan Stadium, then Alabama followed up with 327 passing yards in a 35-16 win at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. U-M lost its only 2019 All-Big Ten first-team performer on defense when senior corner- back Lavert Hill walked out the door. Now, the remaining talent looks to build on the unit's many past successes — and take it up a notch when necessary. Veteran coach Bob Shoop steps in to handle the safeties, representing one big change this year. DAXTON HILL