The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 21 "Those three guys are probably the top three as far as putting pressure on the quarterback," Whittingham said of the tackles. "And we've got some real run stuffers [inside, too]. [Junior] Deyvid Palepale is a big 322-pound tackle that's impossible to move. He's a big run stopper, and there are a couple other guys that are play- ing good football, including sophomore Bobby Kanka." Freshman Carter Meadows, a 6-7, 252-pound former five-star prep out of Bethesda, Md., figures to be a player at edge, too, though he'll likely start out in primarily pass rushing situations. LINEBACKERS Behind the defensive line, though, U- M's linebacker corps is the real question mark. Sophomore Chase Taylor showed great potential this spring, but he needs to continue his ascent while others improve. Michigan is thin in numbers here, to the point that the coaches have been looking for potential depth even recently. If they have to stick with what they have, though, they're feeling better about it with the emergence of grad Nathaniel Staehling early in camp. Staehling, a North Dakota State trans- fer, didn't participate this spring while recovering from an injury. He's back to 100 percent, though, and Whittingham believes he'll be a factor on this year's Michigan defense. "Nathaniel Staehling is instinctive and reminds me of some of the 'backers that you've seen in the NFL," Whittingham said. "He's got that great body position, instincts, uses his hands, block destruc- tion, outstanding tackler. He was a tack- ling machine last year at North Dakota State. "He's a guy that's going to figure in prominently in the defense this year. He's been a big plus, and everything we hoped he'd be, he is. … It's been really good to have him on the field. He's got an excep- tional football IQ, and he's picked things up very quickly." There had been talk U-M might try to get Ernest Hausmann back for another year given a court order allowing fifth years for players in his class, but there's been no movement there … yet. "We've got probably got five or six that are really playing at a high level," Whit- tingham said. "Chase, Staehling, [senior] Troy Bowles, [sophomore] Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng … [graduate] Aisea Moa is doing some good things. [BYU transfer and graduate] Max [Alford] is doing a nice job, as well." Time will tell how good this group will be, but there's talent here. It's also being coached up, and the expectation is the group should improve with more reps. DEFENSIVE BACKS Finally, on the back end, the Wolver- ines have outstanding talent among the starters, needing only to develop some depth to feel really confident about the group … and they're on their way. It starts at safety, where Rod Moore has returned for a sixth year. He's feel- ing better than he has in years, is "100 percent" though on a "pitch count" with reps out of precaution and should pro- vide a huge boost to the secondary. "He has done some things this spring and this offseason that he could not have done, even been close to doing, in the last two years," Whittingham reported. "It feels like as long as he stays on the path he's on, no setbacks, he's going to be good to go this fall. We certainly hope so. "He will be the quarterback of the whole secondary. He's a difference maker and an All-Big Ten-caliber player. If he's back there in the lineup, that makes us a whole lot better." Memphis transfer Chris Bracy, mean- while, has been even better than ex- pected. The junior is a big hitter and a great tackler, while junior Mason Cur- tis is pushing for time behind him with sophomore Jordan Young. On top of those potential stars at safety, the Wolverines' coaches have what they feel might be the best trio in the conference at cornerback. "If we played tomorrow, it would be a combination of [Utah transfer and se- nior] Smith [Snowden], [graduate] Zeke Berry and 'Sug' [senior Jyaire Hill]," Whititngham said. "Depending on the matchups, we can have either Smith in- side at the slot corner or Zeke. Obviously, the other guy would be on the outside corner. "Sug is 100 percent on the outside. He'd be our third nickel in an emergency. But it's those three guys, and [sopho- more] Shamari Earls is really right up there, too, with those guys. He's played good football through five practices." Finding two more cornerbacks behind them will be key before the opener, and there are a few candidates. Overall, Michigan's coaching staff is bullish on the defense. We'll find out soon enough if the confidence is warranted. ❏ Defense At A Glance TOP THREE STORYLINES 1. Injured Wolverines Return — This was the biggest question mark given the two best players, safety Rod Moore and John Henry Daley, had significant injuries. They are ready to go, albeit on a "pitch count" in practice while coaches protected them for the season. 2. Defensive Line Strength — Coaches believe this is a high-level unit and the best position group on the team, and they're off to a great start. There's developing depth on the interior and plenty of talent on the edge. 3. Depth Still A Concern — Linebackers, particularly, though grad Nathaniel Staehling's emergence has eased that. Finding a few more corners is on the agenda, too. TOP THREE PLAYERS 1. Rod Moore — He's back to 100 percent and already making an impact in limited prac- tice time. He elevates the defense's ceiling dramatically. 2. John Henry Daley — The Utah transfer has returned to the field at full health after an Achilles injury and will provide much needed pass rush off the edge. He's a strong, high motor guy. 3. Jyaire Hill — The maturity is starting to match the physical skill here, and it's creating a very good corner. He's primed for a big year. NEWCOMER(S) TO WATCH Cornerback Smith Snowden and defensive end Carter Meadows — in addition to Daley, that is. Snowden is an outstanding cover corner who can play nickel, while Meadows is long, lean and athletic. He's already gained 15 pounds, too, since arriving on campus. — Chris Balas