No. 1 emphasis for Michigan defense in 2022: Force more turnovers
Michigan Wolverines football secondary coach and co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale joined the coaching staff in the summer of 2021. Every time he’s met with the media since arriving in Ann Arbor, — solicited or unsolicited — he’s expressed his desire to force more turnovers.
Michigan caused just 16 last season, which tied for 68th in the country, with only eight interceptions (tied 93rd).
Now, the entire Wolverines secondary is in lockstep with Clinkscale. It appears to be the No. 1 goal, with both starting cornerbacks, graduate Gemon Green and senior DJ Turner, saying it’s the main thing Michigan can do to match or exceed the standard set by the 2021 defense, which finished eighth in the country by allowing just 17.4 points per game.
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“We need more picks, to be honest,” Green said. “We need more turnovers as a defense — fumbles and picks.”
“That’s the main thing that we’ll be focusing on this year — more interceptions,” Turner added. “And just play confident — that’s the thing, and I feel like that’s what we’re going to do going into this season.”
The Michigan defenders feel like the unit has all the tools to improve on its takeaway marks from last season. Speed will help the Wolverines get in the right place at the right time, and while there’s a bit of luck involved as well, they don’t plan on leaving much to chance.
“To be honest, I think we’re a lot faster than last year, so it’s going to be a big difference from last year to this year,” Green said.
Green has been known for being in the right position in the past and registering pass breakups. He led the team with nine in 2020 (six games) and broke up two last season (two). He has just one interception to his name, though, something he plans on changing.
“For me personally, I just gotta get my head around and find the ball,” Green explained. “That’s what I’ve been working on this whole fall camp and spring ball. As a whole, we just gotta play faster, know our plays, know our keys and everybody just do their 1/11th.”
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Turner had two picks last season and graded out as Michigan’s top cover man on PFF. Now that he’s a starter from the jump this season, his influence could pay dividends for the defense.
“Getting your head around, trying to strip the ball out,” Turner said on what the Michigan defensive backs are working on in order to generate more turnovers. “On a blitz, strip sack on a quarterback. Stuff like that, to where the little things make a big difference.”
Michigan defensive backs thriving in year two under Steve Clinkscale
In practice so far, the Michigan defensive backs have felt much more comfortable than they did a year ago at this time. The Wolverines are in year two of their defensive system even with a first-year coordinator in Jesse Minter. But on the back end, most of the comfortability stems from being more used to Clinkscale and his ways.
“We have a way better relationship than we had last year,” Green explained. “We talk way more. He pushes us a lot more than he did last year, just because we’ve got people pushing each other, we’ve got great players on the field. I feel like he makes us not be complacent, he gives us that energy, and he’s just a great guy.”
The Michigan cornerbacks, especially, had to change things up in 2021. After playing mostly man-to-man and press coverage under former coordinator Don Brown, the Wolverines were asked to mix up coverages more. It takes time to acclimate to the system, and now they’re thinking at a higher level.
“Big difference. Just going into the season, I’d say mentally we’re so much smarter with stuff going on with formations and coverages,” Turner said. “We’re not just out there playing; we’re actually processing stuff out there.”
