The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 31 Michigan's defense has some household names, but there are also position battles ongoing. Here's a look at the players at the front of the line to earn snaps. EDGE No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. Remaining 8 Derrick Moore 6-3 256 Jr./2 42 TJ Guy 6-4 250 Sr./2 Note: Moore is locked in as a starter, and Guy has received the most praise from head coach Sherrone Moore and his team- mates as the next man up in a backup role at edge. Moore listed him as one of the players having a breakout fall camp. EDGE No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. Remaining 0 Josaiah Stewart 6-1 245 Sr./1 91 Cameron Brandt 6-4 265 So./3 Note: Stewart is in the same boat as Derrick Moore, while Brandt is battling for playing time. Freshman Dominic Nichols, who enrolled early in the winter, has also generated buzz. Sherrone Moore said he's one of the first-year players who has stood out in practices. NOSE TACKLE No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. Remaining 78 Kenneth Grant 6-3 339 Jr./2 95 Trey Pierce 6-2 315 So./3 Note: Pierce missed time with an injury during spring prac- tices but is up to speed this fall. Senior Ike Iwunnah, who "crushed" the conditioning test after struggling with it in the past, could also contribute at nose, even though he hasn't taken a single snap in games over three seasons. DEFENSIVE TACKLE No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. Remaining 55 Mason Graham 6-3 320 Jr./2 26 Rayshaun Benny 6-4 296 Sr./2 Note: Graham can play nose tackle, too, when Grant is out. Benny is healthy after missing most of the offseason with a foot injury suffered in the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl. Sophomore Enow Etta also figures to factor into the rotation as well. He's now up to 308 pounds after switching over from edge this spring. MIKE LINEBACKER No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. Remaining 15 Ernest Hausmann 6-2 235 Jr./2 34 Jaydon Hood 6-1 225 Sr./2 Note: Hausmann was the team's third-leading tackler with 46 stops last season and will make the natural progression to a starting role, after U-M lost Junior Colson and Michael Barrett to the NFL. WILL LINEBACKER No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. Remaining 1 Jaishawn Barham 6-3 248 Jr./2 30 Jimmy Rolder 6-2 240 Jr./3 Note: Barham, a Maryland transfer, has wowed teammates in practice, especially as he's gained a better understanding of the defensive system throughout the offseason. Fresh- man Cole Sullivan will likely play a role — whether that's on defense or special teams — Moore has said, and junior Micah Pollard also has been mentioned as being in the mix. NICKEL BACK No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. Remaining 10 Zeke Berry 5-11 196 Jr./3 18 Ja'Den McBurrows 5-11 194 Sr./3 Note: Berry said in the summer he expected to play some nickel and safety, but by all accounts he's the leader at the former position heading into the season. McBurrows is also taking reps there, as well as at cornerback. CORNERBACK No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. Remaining 20 Jyaire Hill 6-2 185 So./4 12 Aamir Hall 6-1 201 Gr./1 Note: Hill, who's had a "really, really good fall camp," was the first player Moore mentioned when asked about this starting cornerback spot, with Hall, an Albany transfer, being next. Graduates Keshaun Harris and Ricky Johnson and McBurrows are also competing. CORNERBACK No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. Remaining 2 Will Johnson 6-2 202 Jr./2 36 Keshaun Harris 5-11 192 Gr./1 Note: Moore called Johnson "the best corner in the country," and it's clear his job is safe as long as he's healthy. Harris and the others in the mix to start alongside Johnson can also pro- vide depth behind him. STRONG SAFETY No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. Remaining 7 Makari Paige 6-4 208 Gr./1 13 Wesley Walker 6-1 200 Gr./1 Note: Paige is one of the leaders of the defense, and Walker should have a significant role on the back end. FREE SAFETY No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. Remaining 28 Quinten Johnson 5-11 203 Gr./1 3 Jaden Mangham 6-2 185 Jr./2 Note: Players and coaches have stressed how much they're cross-training the defensive backs, particularly the safeties, so expect the top eight players in the secondary to play multiple positions and quite a few snaps. — Clayton Sayfie The Wolverine's 2024 Projected Depth Chart — Defense S u b s c r i b e r s : s e n d yo u r e m a i l to St a f f @T h e Wo lv e r i n e .co m