Michigan ranks 10th in ESPN's future defensive power rankings
Michigan football will look different defensively this season even if its schematics will remain intact. Changes to that side of the ball include replacing EDGE stars Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo and other key pieces from the turnaround in 2021. U-M also has a new defensive coordinator in Jesse Minter, who replaces Mike Macdonald.
Despite this, the arrow is still pointing upward for the Wolverines on that side of the ball. ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg ranked Michigan 10th in his future defensive power rankings, up 14 spots from last season.
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Below is a recap of what Rittenberg said about Michigan.
What ESPN said about Michigan’s future defense
“The long-term outlook remains strong, but Michigan has a lot to address this fall, and will lean on players such as sophomore linebackers Junior Colson and Nikhai Hill-Green, veteran cornerbacks D.J. Turner and Gemon Green, and safety R.J. Moten. Linebacker should be the most stable spot if Michigan can build around Colson and Hill-Green with players such as senior Michael Barrett and junior Kalel Mullings. The team also has a commitment from Raylen Wilson, ESPN’s No. 5 outside linebacker and No. 56 overall recruit in the 2023 class.
“The line revamp will get most of the immediate focus. The interior depth projects well with seniors Mazi Smith, junior Kris Jenkins and promising young players such as freshman Mason Graham. Senior ends Mike Morris and Taylor Upshaw will see their playing time increase with Hutchinson and Ojabo gone. Michigan needs others, such as sophomore Jaylen Harrell and junior Braiden McGregor, the team’s top recruit in 2020, to emerge this fall and beyond.
“The addition of Derrick Moore, ESPN’s No. 4 end and No. 22 recruit for 2022, improves the long-term forecast. Green and Turner stabilize the cornerback position, but much of the intrigue will be on newcomers, including Mike Sainristil, the veteran wide receiver who worked as a defensive back this spring. Michigan added Will Johnson, ESPN’s No. 4 cornerback and No. 23 overall recruit in the 2022 class. Redshirt freshman Ja’Den McBurrows, who missed spring practice following surgery, should add depth. Safeties R.J. Moten and Rod Moore both have multiple years of eligibility left, as do Quinten Johnson, Caden Kolesar and Makari Paige.“
How Jesse Minter is adjusting in Ann Arbor
Minter came from the same background that Macdonald did having both served time with the Baltimore Ravens. Michigan expects some continuity to that side of the ball. Minter coordinated Vanderbilt’s defense last season and was a Broyles Award nominee at Georgia State in 2015.
On3 Sports recently named Minter a coordinator that is facing pressure immediately at his new job. His focus remains on building trust and continuity.
“I think trust is just built over time,” he said this spring. “I think it’s built on relationships. It’s built on honest feedback. And so I think a strength of mine in my career has been the ability to build relationships with players. It’s not something that happens overnight. So you can’t just walk in the first day and expect them all to trust you. Especially when you’re replacing the guy that did a really good job. But I think he’s just built over time — relationships, and I enjoy that aspect of it.”
