The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 29 tackle Karsen Barnhart called him a "freak" given what he's been doing in camp, and U-M defensive coordinator Jesse Minter concurred. "He's moving really well. He's still the same player against the run, but with 20 extra pounds," Minter said. "Watch- ing him battle with [Michigan veteran guards] Zak Zinter and Trevor Keegan — those are really fun, elite matchups. That's really the best-on-best in college football. … I expect big things from him this year." The edges will battle into the fall for the right to start, Harbaugh said, the way the quarterbacks did last year. All, though, will have significant roles. Linebackers T h e M i c h i ga n l i n e ba c ke rs we re forced to play a lot of snaps last year when Nikhai Hill-Green went down with an injury, missing most of the year. By the end of the season, Junior Colson, now a junior, admitted he was pretty much gassed from having to play so many snaps. Michael Barrett, now in his sixth year, was also on the field a lot. Both players spent extra time on their conditioning this summer, returning in great shape. There's more depth now (knock on wood) with Nebraska trans- fer Ernest Hausmann's addition and with sophomore Jimmy Rolder being a year older, but they weren't taking any chances. Colson has even spent extra time with Minter and the defensive coaches working on his striking ability. "Adding power," he said when asked about his goals. "Being able to be stronger at the point of contact — be- ing stronger in a lot of things. There are a lot of different drills that Coach and I would work on. Being able to take on guys in different positions, when I'm attacking somebody, when I'm making a tackle, different things. Mostly, I'm trying to embody all that." Rolder continues to improve, and Barrett will be a workhorse. He's had his best games against Ohio State the last two years. But Hausmann will have a significant role, especially if he con- tinues to play as well as he did in spring and in the first several weeks of camp. "Ernest is doing a great job," Minter said. "He's picked up our defense, and he's a film junkie. He has raised the level of play in that room. Just by him coming in and his mentality, the way he approaches it, all of a sudden [Bar- rett] is playing at a really high level, and Junior's playing at a higher level. Competition is what breeds guys hav- ing to get better." Defensive Backs On the back end, the Wolverines have plenty of talent returning from a group that played extremely well last year. Junior safety Rod Moore should be a preseason All-Big Ten candidate — he's got great instincts, and by all accounts had a great offseason. Senior safety Makari Paige might be one of the more underrated at his position in the Big Ten, and sophomore Keon Sabb is making a move. "Elite" is the word many are using for sophomore corner Will Johnson, and grad Mike Sainristil was outstand- ing last year at nickel. The biggest question — who is the "other corner," and how's the depth? "Right now, it's a whole host of guys we're playing," Minter said. "We're trying to find the best combination of five defensive backs in a lot of our nickel-type stuff that we've tried a lot of different combinations … corners, safeties, nickels. We're trying to find that best-five combination, and I think early on it will come." That battle will continue into the season, Minter said, echoing Har- baugh's sentiments. Halfway through camp, though, UMass transfer Josh Wallace seemed to have made a move. "Josh was a great pickup. No. 1, he's a pro," Minter said. "You can tell he's played a lot of football. He's played against really good competition. "He came in, and I think probably the smartest thing he did was he jumped in Mikey [Sainristil's] hip pocket from the day he got here. Those guys have been like twin brothers in the building all the time. He's added a great value to that competition so far." Because "you can't draw it up any better than Mikey," Minter said of the prototype defensive back. If he has to play corner, he can play there, as well. Added up on all three levels, there's plenty of talent there to become the Big Ten's top defense. ❏ RETURNING STARTERS (7) DT Kris Jenkins, DE Jaylen Harrell, LB Michael Barrett, LB Junior Colson, NB Mike Sainristil, DB Will Johnson, S Rod Moore TOP THREE STORYLINES Will Michigan be able to get to the quarterback without blitzing? The Wolverines notched 37 sacks last year, but defensive coordinator Jesse Minter had to get cre- ative to do it. The coaching staff believes the inte- rior rush will be much better this year, led by Kris Jenkins on the inside, and there are four capable edge rushers. Who is the "other corner?" Sophomore Will Johnson is expected to be a lock- down defender on one side, but the other spot is wide open. Sophomore Amorion Walker has been banged up this fall, leaving the door open. UMass transfer Josh Wallace has made a move, but he'll be pushed by junior Ja'Den McBurrows and others. How will the linebackers rotate? There are outstanding veterans in Junior Colson and Mike Barrett, but Nebraska transfer Ernest Hausmann has been impressive. Young guys Jimmy Rolder and Jaydon Hood have made moves, as well. TOP THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH • DT Kris Jenkins — The senior is 20 pounds heavier and still moving incredibly well at 305. He's been a handful for the offensive guards in practice, having added several moves to his pass rush arsenal, and should vie for All-America honors. He's become a great leader, as well, and should be a captain. • DT Mason Graham — As good as Jenkins has been, Graham has been right there with him. He's becoming "more twitchy" as a pass rusher, but run stopping is his game. He impressed as a true freshman, and he's now a year bigger and stronger. • CB Will Johnson — The sophomore really emerged at the end of last year, and he was a force in the Big Ten championship win over Pur- due with a pair of interceptions. He should be one of the Big Ten's best cover men in 2023. FRESHMAN TO WATCH • CB DJ Waller Jr. — Fellow frosh Jyaire Hill had a nice spring, but Waller came in and is "banging on the door" to make the two-deep. He's been extremely impressive this fall, a tall (6-3) corner with ball skills. — Chris Balas Defense At A Glance