Jim Harbaugh doubles down on ‘better defense than last year’ quote

Coach Jim Harbaugh and his Michigan football team have big pieces to replace from a defense that improved dramatically last year under first-year coordinator Mike Macdonald. Harbaugh doesn’t seem at all concerned, however. 

On the contrary, in fact.

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After saying at Big Ten Media Days he believed this year’s defense could be even better than last season’s, Harbaugh doubled down on the recent In The Trenches podcast with Jon Jansen. 

“When you lose players like [end David] Ojabo, [end Aidan] Hutch[inson], [safety] Dax Hill, [linebacker] Josh Ross, that’s going to be the first question — how are you going to replace those guys?” the Michigan coach said. “I think it’s potential, and you’re kind of seeing it develop before your own eyes. 

“I think our defense can be better. A no-star defense. I’ve been part of many of them that were the great defenses.”

As we’ve mentioned before, 1985 comes to mind. That team, with Harbaugh at QB, led the nation in scoring defense through most of the season. None of the guys on it would have been considered “impact players” at the next level.

But Ojabo wasn’t a star heading into last year, either, and he became one. Harbaugh said this spring someone like Mike Morris could emerge to be the “next Aidan Hutchinson,” and he and his staff have a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball that could emerge.

“It creates more competition within the positions,” Harbaugh continued. “Guys are more hungry. Taylor Upshaw, Julius Welschof, Mike Morris, Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor … they’re just right there. We’re talking edge guys. That’s quite a group. And then some real good young guys, too. T.J. Guy, Kechaun Bennett, Derrick Moore, Micah Pollard … I’m already liking some things I’m seeing from him. 

“I think that edge position is going to be good. I know to judge with our own team. We go two minutes, get into the competitive periods. The edge rushing felt the same as it did last year at this time. They’re tough to block. So … we’ll keep at it. but there are some real good signs there.”

Michigan pass rush will come from many different angles

They knew heading into last year how good Hutchinson would be, and that Ojabo could be great. They showed it early in camp, too, against an offensive line that would win the Joe Moore Award as the nation’s best. 

That it looks so similar the first week of camp — to the point Harbaugh said they appeared to be “ahead of last year” at this point — is a great sign given the star power lost. His opinion of his defensive line is “really high,” he praised.

“Again, you judge against our defense against our offense, and really, the offensive line is pretty much the same guys as it was last year,” Harbaugh said. “And they’ve improved. But I see the edge pressure being almost as good, or as good as last year.”

With much improvement on the inside, the Michigan coach continued.  

“[Senior] Mazi Smith … Kris Jenkins has continued to just be very, very strong and fast, quick,” Harbaugh said of the Michigan junior, now up to a self-reported 290 pounds and looking great. “He’s imporved a ton. That inside group is being bolstered by George Rooks. I feel like he’s really coming on. Dom Guidice is coming on; Rayshaun Benny is coming on. There’s Ike [Iwunnah] and the two freshmen, Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. 

“It just is better. We’ve seen better on the inside of the defensive line, as well.”

The linebackers will likely be called upon in the pass rush game, as well. Harbaugh also told Jansen they’ve already implemented more blitz packages, etc. than they had at this point last year. 

Sophomore Junior Colson is one who will likely make more of an impact in that area. He’s a freak athlete, and there are several ways they could use him as a blitzer. 

The Michigan All-Big Ten candidate is “very much on track” for a huge year, Harbaugh said. 

“Junior Colson had an outstanding freshman campaign. He just continues to excel, and it’s not hard for him,” Harbaugh said. “The game wears people out, ages some people — ages some coaches. And some players and some coaches, it just doesn’t. 

“He’s just got one of those [looks] like he’s swimming. Smooth, strong, efficient strokes. He just goes about playing the game and getting better. Some people fight the water, to make a swimming analogy. He just always seems to be [thriving]. Just a great mental attitude; just a great way about him. It’s fun for him.”

But not so fun, most likely, for opponents on offense. 

This Michigan defense still needs to prove it on the field and will undoubtedly face some adversity. There are several positive signs, though, that there might not be the drop-off on defense many expected.

If that’s the case, this year’s Michigan team could be “scary good,” as Harbaugh said this spring of his talent. It’s just a matter of putting it all together.