The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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38 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2018 BY JOHN BORTON J on Jansen isn't predisposed to love defensive coaches or de- fenders. He spent five seasons planting the latter as an All- American offensive tackle at Michi- gan, and more than a decade doing so in the NFL. That said, U-M defensive coor- dinator Don Brown gets him fired up. Jansen, part of Michigan's radio broadcast team, says on the air he'd sign up to play for Dr. Blitz. "I love Don Brown," Jansen of- fered. "One of the greatest quotes, that should be in every player's mind — and it only works in football — is that if he has a problem, he likes to solve his problem with violence. Obviously, in the real world, that doesn't work." On the field, aggression reigns. Brown shrugged off those predicting dire consequences last year, after a flood of Michigan defenders moved off to the NFL. The Wolverines deftly combined aggression and young talent to finish No. 3 in the nation in total defense, and now feature largely the same cast of characters heading into 2018. "One of my coaches told me: 'When in doubt, fire out,'" Jansen said. "If you are unsure of what you're doing, then just hit somebody in the mouth, and I guarantee you, something good is going to happen." The Wolverines should bring plenty of good via pain this season. They feature one of the best pairs of defensive ends in the nation in junior Rashan Gary (6-5, 281) and fifth-year senior Chase Winovich (6-3, 253), a tandem ready to terrorize quarter- backs. "We watched Mo Hurst change the course of games this year, by getting in the backfield, by being aggressive, by being quick," Jansen said. "Rashan Gary could do that at another level." Michigan fans everywhere cele- brated Winovich's decision to return, after he tied for the team lead in sacks (8.0) and placed second in tackles for loss (18) in 2017. The Wolverines should also feature plenty of depth in many spots, but certainly at defensive end, where players like junior Carlo Kemp, sophomore Kwity Paye and redshirt freshman Luiji Vilain — a highly regarded newcomer sidelined last year by a preseason injury — will battle with others for time. Gary and the rest will again be directed by veteran assistant coach Greg Mattison, a master at rolling in lines of defenders when he has the depth — and he should have it to burn this season. "What moves does Gary add?" Jan- sen mused. "There's just so much that he could do. The possibilities are end- less. To have a coach like Greg Mat- tison, for any defensive lineman with his talent, that's a godsend for him. "Greg is a great coach, and for him to be able to mentor another de- fensive line like we have … I think [sophomore defensive tackle] Aubrey Solomon is going to be another ter- rific player. Carlo Kemp is going to develop into a good player." Solomon (6-3, 297) jumped into the fray hard as a true freshman, playing in all 13 games, including four starts. He'll play a big role in the middle, just like fifth-year senior Bryan Mone (6-4, 325). "Mone is a load," Jansen said. "That dude is thick everywhere — his ankles, his wrists, his whole body. He's big, and he's going to take up two or three blockers. That's going to be his job. "He's going to be the guy [junior linebacker] Devin Bush says thank you to on every play. They can't get off Bryan Mone to get to Devin Bush, and he is going to be making a load of tackles — 130-plus this year." There are other defensive tackles itching to make their mark up front, such as redshirt sophomore Michael Dwumfour (6-2, 290), fifth-year se- nior Lawrence Marshall (6-4, 285) and more. Those who earn it will get the chance. BRINGING THE HEAT Don Brown's Crew Is Ready To Punish Fifth-year senior defensive end Chase Winovich was an All-Big Ten first-team choice by the media in 2017, after racking up 79 tackles, 18 stops behind the line of scrimmage and eight sacks. The latter two stats ranked second and tied for third in the league, respectively. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN 2018 SPRING FOOTBALL PREVIEW