The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 29 "We're facing the best defensive line in the country in practice, every single day," Newsome said. "That's what good teams have, good back and forth. We're going against two edges who I think are going to be first-round picks. The whole D-line will have a shot to go into the NFL and have great careers. "TJ and Derrick are great players. You started to see it in the 'Bama game. Not that they weren't having great seasons before, but you started to see the spot- light highlighting them. The clip I visu- alize in my mind is when it was one of the early third downs, and they just condensed the pocket, two speed- to-power rushes, on the two talented tackles from 'Bama. They walk them back into [Alabama quarterback Jalen] Milroe and get the sack. That was such a big boost for not just the defense but the offense, too.'" LINEBACKERS Seniors Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham should rank with the best linebackers in the Big Ten, if not the nation. Last season, Hausmann earned the Roger Zatkoff Award as Michigan's best linebacker and became its leading tackler, and has turned into a strong leader approaching the 2025 campaign, according to assistant coach Brian Jean- Mary. Meanwhile, Barham is a wrecking ball who throughout the year learned to operate within Michigan's system and potentially factors among the Wolver- ines' best pass rushers this season. There's depth here as well, with se- nior Jimmy Rolder drawing the consid- ered a third starter tag and sophomore Cole Sullivan coming on in head-turn- ing fashion over the past few months. "The biggest jump you see is when you go on vacation … and you come back and see them," Martindale said. "Cole Sullivan has completely changed his body. You can see it going through drills and all those things." Hausmann stands as the clear leader of the crew, and that's no small de- velopment, Martindale explained. He noted the cohesiveness of the defense will flow out in many ways from the veteran 'backer. "It's of utmost importance," Martin- dale noted. "You develop relationships with players, and it's like an offensive coordinator does with his quarterback. He understands what I'm calling, why I'm calling it, because we have those con- versations. He's a fascinating young man who has seen a lot and done a lot outside of football." Inside of football, Michigan's lineback- ers are working very closely with the D- line brethren, figuring to form a formi- dable front that should stop a number of teams in their tracks. "Every day, those guys do some type of meeting together, the linebackers and D-line, on their own," Esposito said. "There's a text that will go out, and all of a sudden we'll be in the office watching film and you see all these guys rolling in. That's been really good. "All that summer work together … Coach [Justin] Tress does a great job of trying to build that bond. That's where teams are made. It's not on Saturdays. It's the lead-up into fall camp, the lead-up in the summer, the dog days of the summer training, when you're running 150s and it's 100 degrees out and everybody's going through the same thing. That's what bonds the team. You get forged in that fire. That's what's important for us." DEFENSIVE BACKS Here's the key to a strong defense in 2025. Michigan's secondary can't be the weak link by comparison to the mon- sters up front. They don't intend to be, but the question marks abound. Grad safety Rod Moore remains in process, trying to come back from two knee surgeries. Junior cornerback Jyaire Hill is said to have taken strong steps forward, but can he become more con- sistent in big moments? Senior corner- back Zeke Berry enjoyed a breakthrough season last year, while junior Brandyn Hillman and sophomore Mason Curtis provide very physical options at safety. Transfer T.J. Metcalf can play safety, and is among a host of those getting spring and fall camp time at the nickel position. For what it's worth, "Sug" Hill gets Guy's stamp of approval. "I'd say Sugar Hill," Guy noted, when asked for someone who caught his eye this fall. "He's way more locked in and making plays out there. He's a different guy this year." Can other key Wolverines make simi- lar jumps, and actually see them play out in games? Position coach LaMar Morgan says they can and is stressing versatility among those in the secondary. "That's why you see guys from here, like Dax Hill, play outside corner, high safety and nickel in the NFL," Morgan said. "I want our players, if they ever get to an East-West Shrine game, the Senior Bowl, and they ask, 'We've got some guys injured, would you mind playing safety,' they'll say, 'Yeah, I can do it.' I want to be known for development, and that's what this program is." ❑ At A Glance THREE TOP STORYLINES 1. More Please — Michigan ended last season with resounding defensive success against Ohio State and Alabama. Replicating that dominance could be a key to a highly successful season. Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale says this year's defense could be even better, and deeper. Stay tuned. 2. How About Moore — Grad safety Rod Moore could raise Michigan's defensive level significantly with a return to form. He wasn't up to speed early in fall camp, and there's no assurance of when or if he'll get there. All eyes will be on that spot for a Moore return, or a strong emergence of the next man up. 3. Strength In Numbers — The Wolverines insist they'll roll 10 capable defensive linemen into the four spots up front. How well they mix and match, wearing down offenses, will tell a big part of their success story. THREE TOP PLAYERS 1. Ernest Hausmann — Martindale identified the senior linebacker as the leader of this defense, some- one who has his coaching mind on the field. He'll likely lead Michigan in tackles again, but his ability to diagnose what's happening and keep everyone together will be huge. 2. Rayshaun Benny — This grad tackle proved a force late in the season, and he'll enter this campaign both motivated and confident. It's hard to identify just one from among Michigan's talented tackles, but Benny's a good bet to become a man-in-the-middle nightmare, in concert with his line mates. 3. Derrick Moore — The senior edge should be a terror off the perimeter of the line, part of the best such tandem in the conference. He'll be looking to pick up where he left off with Alabama QB Jalen Milroe, which should cause quarterbacks around the conference to order extra ibuprofen. NEWCOMER TO WATCH Tré Williams — The Clemson transfer keeps turning heads in practice, becoming a force in a very deep defensive line. He's another expected to frustrate the run game up the middle, as well as providing a push into the backfield to keep QBs feeling the pressure. — John Borton