The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 99 DEFENSIVE LINE redshirt sophomore Ron Johnson, redshirt junior Reuben Jones and early arriving true freshman Taylor Upshaw, plus his class- mates, all hope to add depth to a defensive line that will front a very powerful defense. The front-liners went head-to-head against the Wolverines' top offensive line- men in the spring, in hopes of raising both sides of the trenches. "We want to become the best D-line in the country, and you want to be the best offensive line in the country," Mattison ob- served. "Well, why should we go against our own guys? Why don't we go against each other? That's how you do it in the NFL. "Our kids are smart enough now, and old enough now, that you don't take it past where you should. You don't get in fights. You're just practicing blocks and making each other better." He's convinced they will, and he's not alone. "This defense is excellent," sophomore linebacker Josh Ross commented. "Every day in practice, you just see everybody running to the ball, everybody surging to the ball. The crazy thing is — what I've never seen before I got to college — when the ball carrier is running, every single D- lineman is sprinting. "Some of them are even faster than me. They're running to the ball … it's a beauti- ful thing to see. You don't see that in a lot of defenses, and when you get that from every single player on your team it's hard to not be great." ❏ Analysis: A Look Beyond Rashan Gary And Chase Winovich The headline grabbers on Michigan's defensive line stand out like a pair of Indy cars in a parade of beige, mid-sized sedans. It's not as if fifth-year senior Chase Winovich and junior Rashan Gary stand completely alone, in terms of talent and achievement. After all, the defensive ends are part of a team within a team, the front-line unit. But as far as attention from the outside, that duo tends to suck all the oxygen out of the room. They know as well as anyone, however, that it takes a village to pillage an opposing backfield. Here, then, are five key performers who aren't getting as much recognition, but who will be vitally important to Michigan's defensive line effort in the fall: 1. Michael Dwumfour, R-So., DT — Michigan coaches certainly want to encourage any potential replace- ment for the NFL-departed Mo Hurst. But they're not going to make comparisons lightly. And they went there with Dwumfour, saying he's been "Hurst-like" in his efforts off the ball this spring. If that holds into the fall, it's massive for Michigan's effort up the middle. 2. Aubrey Solomon, So., DT — Solomon played extensively as a true freshman, up where it's usually boys-among-men territory for rookies. Not so in this case. Solomon, the former five-star recruit out of Georgia, held his own. Now he should be ready to take the next step — or the next leap into the backfield. 3. Kwity Paye, So., DE — Paye is another rookie from 2017 who got thrown into action, although not as extensively as Solomon. Paye has taken huge strides in physical development, though, packing on more than 30 pounds since he arrived and drawing serious praise from his coaches. He can give the spotlighted defensive ends a break, while breaking a few things on his way to the quarterback. 4. Bryan Mone, 5th-Sr., DT — Mone got hurt early in his career and has been a mystery at times, in terms of production versus potential. He can be a huge run-stuffer for the Wolverines, and if he becomes so to the level hoped in his final season, it will make a big difference for Greg Mattison's crew. 5. Lawrence Marshall, 5th-Sr., DT — Marshall is another fifth-year player who has been talked about more than felt on the field of play. He's drawing big-time praise for his development entering is final sea- son in a winged helmet. Sometimes the light goes on late (and opportunity opens with it). Marshall could be yet another difference-maker for Michigan. — John Borton Sophomore tackle Aubrey Solomon played in all 13 games as a true freshman and started in four of the final six contests. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Fifth-year senior tackle Bryan Mone had just 10 stops in 13 appearances last year, but will be counted on to help stabilize the run de- fense from the middle of the line. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL