Michigan defense: Contenders at nickel back, lineman who 'is in great shape' after huge summer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan Wolverines football defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is very much looking forward to fall camp, which begins Wednesday. A busy summer of recruiting — the biggest “change” for him coming from coaching 20 years in the NFL — is behind them and now it’s time for football.
Speaking with the media Tuesday, Martindale was very noncommittal about who will emerge at different positions, because the competitive waters will be hot in the month of August as Michigan prepares for its opener against Fresno State and season at large.
“We’ve had a good summer being in and out of the building here, but what really matters is this training camp,” Martindale said. “And we’ll see who’s gonna step up and take some positions and be a backup or whatever when we get into the heat of the competition and it’s full pads and ready to roll.”
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Michigan coaches raved about junior nickel back Zeke Berry in the spring, for example, but he’ll still have to fend off senior Ja’Den McBurrows and others to win the slot corner starting job. Those were the two players Martindale mentioned at that position.
“Zeke came out of the spring slotted with the first group, but it’s fluid, as [head coach] Sherrone [Moore] always says, with the depth chart. We’ll see as we go, as we progress. J-Mac, and there are some other guys that we’ll look at there.
“We’re just a long way away from talking about any of those things of exactly where it’s at.”
Michigan has had strong nickel back play since implementing the current defensive system in 2021, with Dax Hill starring in the role that season and Mike Sainristil taking over the last two years. Both became top-50 NFL Draft picks.
“First of all, I look at someone who can communicate, because when you’re the nickel, you do a lot of communicating with the safeties, the corners, the linebackers,” Martindale said of what Michigan looks for in the position. “Someone that knows the system. But the No. 1 trait is, how well do you tackle? The coverages and everything else we’ll work through with what they do and who you have there.
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“An example: When I was at Baltimore when Marlon Humphrey was coming to play nickel. I’ll tell you right now, I think he was the best nickel in football because he could tackle and he communicates. So it all depends on who comes out on top from training camp. It still is a competition, which they all are.”
Michigan has an elite duo at defensive tackle in juniors Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. Senior Rayshaun Benny is nearing 100-percent health after suffering an injury in the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl, too. But depth behind them is a question mark, as Martindale has admitted. However, he’s seen senior Ike Iwunnah — who hasn’t played a single snap in games his entire career — step up.
“We’re going to find out in training camp who’s going to get a lot of playing time early, as far as the rotational guys,” Martindale said. “We’ve had a lot of guys that had a great summer with it. Working out, like Ike comes to mind.
“He changed his body in the month of July, and he’s in great shape. Killed the conditioning test, which I was told he struggled with in the past. I’m excited to see where we’re going with it, but the defensive line in any scheme is vital for your success.”
