The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1546232
SEPTEMBER 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 11 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Defensive Line Excels By Chris Balas With edges Derrick Moore and Jaishawn Barham off to the NFL and tackles Rayshaun Benny, Damon Payne and Tre Williams having graduated, many pundits figured the line would take a step backward. Instead, this group was one of the team's best this spring behind senior tackles Trey Pierce and Enow Etta, senior edge Cam Brandt and junior edge Dom Nichols. Add All-America senior edge John Henry Daley for some pass rush, and it's easy to see why coaches believed this to be the strongest position group on the team head- ing into summer. The defensive line lived up to the billing during fall camp while adding even more depth. Freshman edge Carter Meadows figures to contribute as a pass rusher, while sophomore edge Benny Patterson III and junior edge Lugard Edokpayi have shown great athleticism and potential. On the inside, sophomore Bobby Kanka and junior Deyvid Palepale have become reliable run stoppers. Head coach Kyle Whittingham reports that Palepale is now 340 pounds (his roster weight is 322) and "really hard to move." Games are won and lost in the trenches, and it starts on defense by stopping the run. Michigan is confident it has the players and depth to do that, and Daley should lead the way on the edge in getting after the quarterback. Secondary Leads The Way By Clayton Sayfie The running backs and defensive line have strong cases to be among Michigan's best posi- tion groups in 2026, but none is better entering the season than the defensive backfield. It all starts with Rod Moore, a sixth- year safety who has played in only three games over the past two sea- sons but is fully healthy and expected to be ready for the Sept. 5 opener against Western Michigan. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Moore was one of the key reasons the Wol- verines won the national champion- ship in 2023, and he was making plays all over the field last season while battling through pain at nowhere near 100 percent health. The sky is the limit now that Moore is back to his normal self. Michigan has three cornerbacks, meanwhile, who are entering their third seasons as starters in graduate Zeke Berry (All-Big Ten third team), senior Jyaire Hill (All-Big Ten hon- orable mention) and senior Smith Snowden, an All-Big 12 second-team pick at Utah in 2025. That level of tal- ent and experience at such an impor- tant position, especially in a season where Michigan will face a plethora of high-end quarterbacks, will prove valuable. Depth has been the one concern on the back end of the defense, but these aren't dire straits. Sophomore cornerback Shamari Earls has been playing at a starter level, Hill said, and the Wolverines have a few safeties with experience like junior Mason Curtis, sophomore Jordan Young and junior Chris Bracy, a Memphis transfer who is in line to start. ❱ POINT ❙ COUNTERPOINT ❰ WHAT IS MICHIGAN'S BEST POSITION GROUP? Sixth-year safety Rod Moore is finally healthy and ready to perform at 2023 levels once again. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL DID YOU KNOW? • Your address will be automatically changed to the mailing address on file with USPS? ALL addresses are cross-referenced with the USPS National Change of Address database. • It can take up to 7 days for the USPS to update your address in their database? To prevent missed issues, please notify them right away. • Your postal forwarding order expires in 60 days or less? Most forwarding requests expire in 60 days and DO NOT always include periodical mail. Issues are discarded at their discretion. • You should call your local post office to verify your delivery address? Don't assume the post office knows your vacation or moving schedule. Avoid Costly Delays & Replacements! Wolverine Customer Service: 1–800–421–7751 We are happy to assist, but due to privacy laws — postal address changes must be completed by you.