The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 99 [ D E F E N S I V E L I N E ] them to see when they're standing up. But it's the same concept. "You've just got to find the ball, set the edge and make sure you find that ball." Hutchinson has taken to it well, he added. "It one hundred percent [fits him]. That's the beauty about Aidan," he said. "He's so versatile, he can play whatever position we ask him to." Skene hopes to see him in situations where they can also get him some one-on-one op- portunities to get to the quarterback. Early in football games — when the quarterback is trying to settle in — that's where good defensive linemen make their mark and make quarterbacks nervous, he noted, and he ex- pects Hutchinson will get that chance. He also wants to see him make the most of them. The junior didn't have a sack or tackle for loss in his two-plus games last year before getting hurt, notching 15 total tackles. "I thought he had a hard time getting off blocks, even against Minnesota, last year," Skene said. "I saw times their tight end or tackle was just blocking him one on one. It wasn't just him, but they need more from him this year. "There are things they can do with him, move him around from side to side, and that gives him a little more flexibility and vari- ability to cause problems. Tackle-end twists, different blitz packages … you can show blitz and drop off into the flat. If a back is matched up to block him, which will happen from time to time, then a big guy like Hutch should be able to run over any back." Behind him and the tackles, the backups have a lot to prove. Upshaw showed flashes on the edge, notching three tackles for loss, a sack and one forced fumble among his 17 stops, but he needs to be better against the run. Redshirt freshman Mike Morris was the big mover this spring, according to practice observers — the 6-6, 276-pounder became a disruptive pass rusher and continues to im- prove — and redshirt frosh linebacker David Ojabo (6-5, 250) can also be used in a pass- rushing end role. Freshmen Jaylen Harrell (6-4, 235) and Braiden McGregor (6-5, 260), and redshirt freshman Gabe Newburg (6-5, 265) also will vie for time on the edge. "Mike Morris, David Ojabo, all those guys … be disruptive up front," Nua said of what they need to do to see the field. "The vo- cabulary might be different, but be physical up front, disruptive against the pass and stop the run." In the middle, redshirt sophomore Julius Welschof (6-6, 286) saw time as a backup in all six games last year, notching six tackles, while redshirt junior Jess Speight also saw action in each contest. Redshirt freshman Jack Stewart (6-4, 318) moved over to bolster depth, and 6-3, 265-pound Kris Jenkins, a freshman who earned a lot of praise last year, is back to challenge for time. True freshmen Rayshaun Benny (6-5, 275) of Detroit and Ike Iwunnah (6-4, 281) out of Garland, Texas, also have a chance to crack the two-deep — and U-M might need them. "There's a couple spots we need them to really pick it up; they've got to really take advantage of the next couple months," Nua said. "They've got a good chance of making a good run for at least a primary backup role. I'm excited to see what they can do. They're already rolling right now. "I'm happy where we're at, but we re- ally need these next couple months. We re- ally need them to take advantage so they can make it a solid depth." There are bodies, but a lot of unproven commodities. Their development could go a long way toward solidifying a unit many feel is the key to the Michigan defense's 2021 fortunes. ❑ Mazi Smith has the size (6-3, 305) and skill to provide the kind of presence the Wolver- ines need in the middle of their defensive line. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN X-FACTOR X-FACTOR Oregon State transfer Jordan Whittley is a huge body (6-1, 358), and he could be a run stopper if he shows up in great shape ready to contribute. However, it's important to keep in mind he missed 2020 after a heart tumor was discovered last August, so maybe a former highly touted recruit already on the roster, like Mazi Smith, is a safer bet to step up and make a huge impact this fall. ROSTER No. Name Ht. Wt. Year Elig. Hometown (High School) — Kechaun Bennett 6-4 220 Fr. Fr. Suffield, Conn. (Suffield Academy) — Rayshaun Benny 6-5 275 Fr. Fr. Detroit (Oak Park) 57 Joey George* 6-0 287 Sr. So. Walled Lake, Mich. (Walled Lake Western) — Dominick Giudice 6-4 265 Fr. Fr. Freehold, N.J. (Mater Dei) — TJ Guy 6-4 240 Fr. Fr. Mansfield, Mass. (Mansfield) 32 Jaylen Harrell 6-4 235 So. Fr. Tampa, Fla. (Berkeley Prep) 15 Christopher Hinton 6-4 305 Jr. So. Johns Creek, Ga. (Greater Atlanta Christian School) 97 Aidan Hutchinson 6-6 269 Sr. Jr. Plymouth, Mich. (Divine Child) — Ike Iwunnah 6-4 281 Fr. Fr. Garland, Texas (Lakeview Centennial) 94 Kris Jenkins 6-3 265 So. Fr. Olney, Md. (Our Lady Of Good Counsel) 95 Donovan Jeter 6-3 318 5th Jr. Beaver Falls, Pa. (Beaver Falls) 17 Braiden McGregor 6-5 260 So. Fr. Port Huron, Mich. (Port Huron Northern) 90 Mike Morris 6-6 276 Jr. Fr. Belle Glade, Fla. (American Heritage) 99 Gabe Newburg 6-5 265 Jr. Fr. Clayton, Ohio (Northmont) 72 Elijah Pierre* 6-1 297 6th Jr. Rockland, Mass. (Xaverian Brothers) — George Rooks 6-4 270 Fr. Fr. Jersey City, N.J. (St. Peter's Prep) 58 Mazi Smith 6-3 305 Jr. Fr. Grand Rapids, Mich. (East Kentwood) 67 Jess Speight^ 6-5 290 5th Jr. Richmond, Va. (The Collegiate School) 70 Jack Stewart 6-4 318 Jr. Fr. New Canaan, Conn. (New Canaan) 91 Taylor Upshaw 6-4 256 Sr. So. Bradenton, Fla. (Braden River) 96 Julius Welschof 6-6 286 Sr. So. Miesbach, Bavaria, Germany (FOS Altoetting) — Jordan Whittley 6-1 358 7th Sr. Richmond, Calif. (Castlemont) * Walk-on; ^ former walk-on