The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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28 THE WOLVERINE ❱ SEPTEMBER 2025 BY JOHN BORTON M ichigan's defense left a last- ing impression at the end of a disappointing 2024 season. Holding the Buckeyes to 10 points in a stunner of a victory in Columbus. Be- coming a tidal wave of terror against Ala- bama's Crimson Tide in another upset. Every year is a completely new one, Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale insists. At the same time, he's not downplaying what the Wolverines in his charge could accomplish this season. He told The Wolverine for its football preview exclusive he's convinced the defense can be better than last year. As Michigan rolled through fall camp headed toward the 2025 season, he wasn't back- ing down. "I think we have more depth," Mar- tindale said. "We'll see where it all ends up here." Here's a look at why the Wolverines on defense intend to be a constant positive for the program. DEFENSIVE LINE Graduate defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny insisted after Michigan's spring game that this defensive line has a 2023 feel to it, in terms of depth. It's not hard to see why, with 10 performers figured into a rotation featuring four spots. Joining Benny as stalwarts in the middle are grad transfers Damon Payne Jr. and Tré Wil- liams, from Alabama and Clemson, re- spectively; juniors Trey Pierce and Enow Etta and another grad, Ike Iwunnah. Off the edges, senior Derrick Moore and grad TJ Guy figure to be one of the most po- tent combos in the country, with junior Cam Brandt considered a third starter and sophomore Dom Nichols coming on strong. Guy predicts this defense will get heavy handed with everyone it faces. "It's going to be the same product, dif- ferent numbers," he said. "Different guys out there. We've got a lot of depth, and a lot of talent out there. It's going to be fun." Michigan defensive line coach Lou Es- posito acknowledges the depth and tal- ent up the middle, and knows those on the perimeter of the line will be causing nightmares for offenses throughout the season. "Those guys have had a great summer," Esposito said. "And they've had a really good camp so far. We're excited about them. There are a lot of good guys in that room. Competition breeds success. Iron sharpens iron." Offensive line coach Grant Newsome will vouch for the effectiveness of Michi- gan's line. He sees it every day and has a warning for those wearing different color jerseys — the waves are coming. WITH A CAPITAL 'D' Michigan Defense Plans To Be A Force Graduate student defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny (No. 26 above) insisted after Michigan's spring game that this year's defensive line unit has a 2023 feel to it, in terms of depth. It's not hard to see why, with 10 performers figuring into a rotation featuring four spots. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL