Michigan football, Defensive End U.? David Ojabo, Aidan Hutchinson now projected as high draft picks

Brandon Graham, Taco Charlton, Josh Uche, Kwity Paye, Chase Winovich … Michigan football has had its share of outstanding defensive ends come through the program over the last several years. All of the above and several others, including Mike Danna (Kansas City Chiefs), are in the NFL and have had success.

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That trend will continue with this year’s group. Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo both continue to move up NFL Draft boards, to that point that some wonder if Ojabo might evenjoin Hutchinson in the 2022 Draft.

“Ojabo has been one of the most impressive newcomers in the country this season,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper wrote in putting him at No. 10 (!) on his list of draft eligible players. “He has flashed advanced pass-rush — check out this spin on the right tackle for a strip sack against Indiana — and his athletic traits pop on tape.

“While Ojabo needs to work on his all-around game, there’s a lot to like. He’s still young; he could develop into an elite edge rusher.”

Hutchinson, meanwhile, moved from No. 6 overall to No. 5.

Mike Macdonald isn’t worrying about a future without them just yet. The first-year defensive coordinator is enjoying the present and working with the talented group, excited to finish the year strongly with them.

“It’s a blessing to have multiple guys so we’re not just keying in on one all the time,” Macdonald said. “Pass rush is all four or five guys working together, so you can’t forget the guys in the middle. There are six pass rush lanes, but there are only four guys rushing them. It’s really all four guys. Whether it’s a pressure or a four-man rush, those guys have to work.

“Now, those [ends] are elite. A lot of times, the guys in the middle are taking a back seat to the guys on the edge, so they have to be unselfish, as well. If you want to give those guys freedom to do what they do, you can’t have freelancers up the middle. So, those guys are sacrificing for the team, no matter who that is.”

The coaches have continued to add more to the defense with Ojabo’s emergence. The next step for the redshirt sophomore will be to prove he can be an every-down player rather than a specialist something they expect (hope) to add next year when he’s the first option there, replacing Hutchinson.

Ojabo’s head was swimming a bit when he first took the field this year, Macdonald noted. He ‘overloaded him’ with information and it was tough given that Ojabo’s only been playing the game for a handful of years.

Now, though, ‘everything you give him he smashes,’ Macdonald praised. What used to be served up in ‘bite-sized increments’ has since become large helpings, even seconds.

“We learned about him when we first got here,” Macdonald continued. “What you saw on tape was a guy with a great ability. You could tell there was some untapped potential there. It made sense a little bit once you realized his history.

“But his learning curve — I was telling somebody, I think he learns more football in a day than I did in like two years. He’s just a sponge, soaks it all up. He’s doing a great job. Fun to coach.”

Hutchinson and Ojabo aren’t alone, either. Redshirt sophomore Taylor Upshaw has also come on strong after returning from an injury, notching a sack, two tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry against Indiana.

Earlier in the year he was playing 20 to 30 plays per game.

“He played a few snaps against Nebraska and ended up getting banged up, so he’s out for a week or two. He goes back, practices well — what do you know? There’s a role for you,” Macdonald said. “He e took advantage of his role.

“Since we got here, he’s one of our top players. He’s a talented guy, he’s tough, he plays extremely hard, and he gives us some positional flexibility as well.

He’s part of a trio that’s combined for 17.5 sacks, and there are still at least four games to play.

Despite some disappointments, Macdonald’s defense is on track for a solid year in his first go-round, due in part to his ends. He’s continued to learn and implement new ideas, and the ends will be a big part of it.

“I’m learning a lot. If you’re not learning from a week-to-week, day-to-day process, then you’re not doing your job,” he said. “There are so many things now — from a week ago or six months ago, it’s just constant; how we practice, how we prepare the guys. Big points of emphasis are types of plays you have to defend … it’s a constant evolution.

“I think if you’re sticking to your guns — ‘we did it this way against Washington’ [so we’ll do only that] — well, I think that’s a mistake. I’m definitely learning a lot every day.”