Jim Harbaugh breaks down Michigan D-line starters, including surprise Mason Graham
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh joined former U-M All-American Jon Jansen on the In the Trenches podcast today to drop some intel, and there were some surprising developments. One — freshman defensive tackle Mason Graham has been named a starter at tackle in the Michigan base packages.
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Graham had an outstanding spring in proving he belonged. He’s picked up where he left off in the fall and has a slight edge over sophomore Rayshaun Benny inside.
“Inside interior defensive line, [junior] Kris Jenkins, starter. And in the base package, freshman Mason Graham will come out of camp as a starter,” the Michigan coach reported. “[Senior] Mazi Smith, starter at nose. [Grad student] Cam Goode is somebody that is now really surging. He’s backing up Mazi at nose tackle. [Freshman] Kenneth Grant is right there, as well, at nose tackle.
“[Sophomore] George Rooks is at end backing up Kris Jenkins. He has had a tremendous camp. Dom Giudice has done some really good things. We have true freshman Charlie Lovell who walked on, just turned 18 about a week ago. His dad played at Michigan, was a kicker here. He’s been great, as well. He’ll be really good in the future.”
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Benny has been impressive, Harbaugh continued.
“Rayshaun Benny is surging. He and Mason Graham are playing the tackle position in base, but he’s just coming on like gangbusters,” Harbaugh said. “Every practice is better and better. I’m really excited about Rayshaun.”
On the edges, the starting outside linebackers are veterans Jaylen Harrell, Mike Morris, and Taylor Upshaw.
“Those three have had a heck of a camp. There will be a rotation there,” Harbaugh said of the Michigan upperclassmen. “[Junior] Braiden McGregor, [sophomore] T.J. Guy, and [grad transfer] Eyabi Anoma are doing some really good things. [Freshman] Derrick Moore has been fantastic … when that motor becomes like Chase Winovich and Aidan Hutchison and he learns a counter move or two, I think he’s going to be close to unblockable.
“As soon as that happens … it may take some time, but he’s ready to play and he’ll be in there.”
Michigan opens the season Sept. 3 against Colorado State in Ann Arbor.
