The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1361683
MAY 2021 THE WOLVERINE 47 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL DEFENSE Defensive Tackle No. Player Ht. Wt. Class 15 Christopher Hinton 6-4 305 So. 96 Julius Welschof 6-6 286 R-So. Note: Hinton showed flashes last year, but he'll need to have a big year and reach his five-star potential for the defense to be stingy up front. Nose Tackle No. Player Ht. Wt. Class 58 Mazi Smith 6-3 305 R-Fr. 67 Jess Speight 6-5 290 R-Jr. Note: Freshman offensive guard Zak Zinter called Smith one of the most impressive performers he'd seen on the defense this spring. Defensive Tackle No. Player Ht. Wt. Class 95 Donovan Jeter 6-3 318 R-Jr. 96 Julius Welschof 6-6 286 R-So. Note: Jeter still played too high at times last year but has been working this spring on his leverage. There's still a lot to prove up front. Defensive End/Outside Linebacker No. Player Ht. Wt. Class 97 Aidan Hutchinson 6-6 269 Jr. 91 Taylor Upshaw 6-4 256 R-So. Note: This has become a hybrid end/linebacker position in a 3-4 look in which the ends often play in a stand-up position. Hutchinson was limited this spring while recovering from a broken ankle suffered last year. Sam/Buck Linebacker No. Player Ht. Wt. Class 55 David Ojabo 6-5 250 R-Fr. 90 Mike Morris 6-6 276 R-Fr. Note: Morris is another of the spring standouts and will battle to start. He's been impressive. Ojabo was disruptive at times in the spring game. Mike Linebacker No. Player Ht. Wt. Class 23 Michael Barrett 6-0 227 R-So. 41 Nikhai Hill-Green 6-1 225 Fr. Note: Barrett slides over from the now defunct hybrid safety/ linebacker viper position and will face more physical chal- lenges against downhill runners and pulling linemen. Will Linebacker No. Player Ht. Wt. Class 12 Josh Ross 6-2 230 R-Jr. 25 Junior Colson 6-2 230 Fr. Note: True freshman Colson had impressed since arriving on campus as an early enrollee; he's as athletic as advertised. Cornerback 4 Vincent Gray 6-2 190 R-So. 16 Jalen Perry 6-0 185 R-Fr. Note: Gray struggled in coverage as the No. 1 corner last year but will likely be playing much more in zone coverage this season. Cornerback No. Player Ht. Wt. Class 22 Gemon Green 6-2 181 R-So. 5 DJ Turner 6-0 182 R-Fr. Note: Green was a pleasant surprise and had some solid mo- ments last year, though he struggled at times in coverage. He's continued to improve. Strong Safety No. Player Ht. Wt. Class 20 Brad Hawkins 6-1 218 5th-Sr. 6 R.J. Moten 6-0 213 Fr. Note: Hawkins was one of the spring standouts on defense. He'll be the quarterback of the secondary. Free Safety No. Player Ht. Wt. Class 30 Daxton Hill 6-0 192 So. 7 Makari Paige 6-3 192 Fr. Note: Hill's performance in the spring game was "freakish," per observers. He's another of the spring standouts on defense. SPECIAL TEAMS Kicker No. Player Ht. Wt. Class 13 Jake Moody 6-0 200 Jr. Note: Freshman Tommy Doman will compete for both place- kicking and kicking duties this fall. He'll arrive this summer. Punter 91 Brad Robbins 6-1 195 R-Jr. Note: Doman is also an outstanding punter and will likely be Robbins' backup given that Will Hart entered the transfer portal. Long Snapper No. Player Ht. Wt. Class 49 William Wagner 6-1 238 R-Fr. Note: Wagner played when Camaron Cheeseman opted out last year and was solid in his first taste of action. Fifth-year senior Brad Hawkins has started 17 games at free safety and notched 118 tackles in his 42 appearances. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL