Jesse Minter has seen ‘tremendous growth’ in Michigan pass rush – Josaiah Stewart has ‘stood out at times’
Michigan finished with 37 sacks last year, up from the previous season. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter was pleased — somewhat — but is looking for more consistency in his second year leading the U-M defense.
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He’s starting to see it already this spring, he confirmed Tuesday.
“I’ve seen tremendous growth, tremendous improvement. I think we certainly have a bunch of capable guys,” the Michigan D.C. said. “I think Coach [Mike] Elston, [analyst] Dylan Roney, those guys have put in a tremendous amount of work in that aspect. We want to certainly get sacks and pressure and be able to do it at times without committing extra guys. That’s been a huge emphasis for us.
“While we ended up having a good number last year, there were times we probably had to send more than we wanted to. It’s been a huge emphasis. Also, huge excitement in what I’ve seen through the first part of spring where we are now, and improvement in that area. Expect that to be a big weapon for us in the fall.”
That includes not just the edges, but the interior line, too. Michigan senior Kris Jenkins has been harping on it since the end of the year, and he’s made huge strides.
He’s not alone, Minter said. The linemen and the coaches met before spring to discuss the possibilities.
“I think all d-linemen would all love to have a bunch of sacks,” Minter continued. “They certainly want those opportunities; want the ability to be on the field in those situations. One of the biggest things for us was some things to improve on … No. 1, finding ways to create more negative plays on non-traditional passing downs. When we dialed up a pressure or something on third down we were pretty good, but we had very, very few disruptive plays on normal downs, I would say.
“That’s a huge emphasis for us when a lot of those big guys are out there. Coach Elston has done a tremendous job with those guys, sort of teaching them some things. Block destruction is a huge piece of how we play and stop the run, but it’s also the ability to convert and become a pass rusher on those same downs. The players, the cool part is they’ve taken a tremendous amount of ownership in trying to improve that area.”
Michigan edges having some ‘wow’ moments
But Michigan coaches and everyone else are looking for guys who can wreak havoc on the edge, too. Senior Braiden McGregor has come on strong and is showing it in spurts, but he has the ability to dominate, Minter said.
“He can take over games,” Minter said, noting that’s his next step and something he’s working toward.
Senior Jaylen Harrell is looking to continue to improve, too, and there are several other candidates.
Few, though, are built like Coastal Carolina transfer Josaiah Stewart. He’s been outstanding, at times, and is a perfect fit on the Michigan defense.
“Josiah has been a tremendous addition, first of all, just from his personality,” Minter said. “Jim fitting into the culture, the way he works, the way he attacks things. It’s like he’s been here. So, when that happened, you pick up a guy that one, he practices really hard.”
He’s also got a “really unique skill set,” Minter said of the first year Michigan edge, and has shown it.
“He’s different than some of our edge rushers with his measurables, so he’s … we’re just really excited about him,” Minter said. “He’s had a productive spring. I think if you talk to some of our guys, they’d say he stood out at times.
“I’m looking forward to seeing that on Saturday in more of a game environment and also seeing that in the fall, as well.”
All told, the pass rush seems primed to take a big leap in 2023.
