Projecting Michigan football’s defensive depth chart after transfers

It was only a matter of time before Michigan football added some defensive depth from the transfer portal this spring, that’s why a projected depth chart hasn’t made a ton of sense.

Michigan football still isn’t done in the portal. The Wolverines would like another defensive tackle. They have been looking for offensive line depth too, but outside of that, I’m confident that the roster is basically set.

We already did our post-spring depth chart for the offense. Now, we’ll project the defensive two-deep following the spring transfer additions.

DL Interior

Starters (Base): Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Rayshaun Benny

Bench: Enow Etta, Ike Iwunnah, Trey Pierce, Cameron Brandt 

Michigan’s three interior defensive linemen are as good a trio as there is in college football. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant are both expected to be first-round picks. Rayshaun Benny is another stellar player and if healthy, he’s got a bright future in the NFL too.

There are some concerns about depth. There’s not much experience behind the first three guys. Enow Etta got some snaps there this spring and I could see a Mike Morris role as an interior pass rusher. The Wolverines are kicking the tires on some defensive tackles, but Ike Iwuannah is a guy who will need to step up at 6-foot-3, 313 pounds. Trey Pierce (6-2, 300) is another name to know as is Cameron Brandt (6-4, 277).

Brandt is another talented pass rusher. Pierce, Etta, and Brandt have all earned positive buzz since joining Michigan football, but this season, they’ll have to provide quality depth because as good as Graham, Grant, and Benny are — they can’t play every down.

EDGE

Starters: Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore

Backups: TJ Guy, Breeon Ishmail, Kechaun Bennett, Etta, and Aymeric Koumba

Just like the interior, Michigan football is set with its starters on the edge. Last season, Moore and Stewart combined for 14.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. They each had at least five and they should wreak havoc on quarterbacks.

It feels like some are underrating Michigan’s EDGE play. Moore has a chance to be a first-round pick and Stewart is one of the guys who shut down Alabama’s final play. He was that important.

TJ Guy looked the part during the spring game. He’s really elevated his game and had one sack last season against Michigan State. Breeon Ishmail opened some eyes during the spring game, as did Aymeric Koumba.

Those two and Etta have so much potential. Michigan isn’t short on talent and with Guy, there’s some decent experience so I don’t expect any drop off from last season despite losing Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor.

Linebacker

Starters (Base): Jaishawn Barham, Ernest Hausmann, Jimmy Rolder (SAM) 

Backups: Jayden Hood, Christian Boivin, Micah Pollard, Cole Sullivan, and Jason Hewlett 

The Wolverines are also set at linebacker. Few linebacker pairings in college football, let alone the Big Ten will be better than Hausmann and Barham.

Barham was the talk of spring football. It seems like the Wolverines hit a home run there. In this defense, he could be something special. So the top two are on par with last season, or at least close.

However, Hausmann was the first guy off the bench. Rolder will likely be that guy this season. If Michigan uses a third traditional linebacker, he would be the guy. Yet, the Wolverines usually play more defensive backs and defensive linemen.

Most of the time, there are just two true linebackers on the field. That’s why I’m not super concerned about depth. Rolder wasn’t perfect last season but was also coming off an injury. I’ve wanted to see more of Micah Pollard and the same can be said for Jaydon Hood.

We have to see these guys produce when their number is called but that’s part of being a “program.” The next man up needs to be a dude.

Cornerback

Starters: Will Johnson, Jyaire Hill 

Backups: Aamir Hall, Ricky Johnson, Myles Pollard, Kody Jones

Aamir Hall and Ricky Johnson were huge pickups. But that doesn’t mean they are going to start. Yet, when you are playing 5-6 defensive backs on most snaps, you need a lot of good ones who can cover.

Michigan football didn’t have enough before this past weekend. Now, they do. Johnson and Hall are experienced. They have each started over 20 games. Hall was an FCS All-American. They are both 6-foot-1 too. Johnson and Hill are each 6-foot-2.

Hill will have to earn his way but he was a top-200 recruit for a reason. The dude can ball out and I loved what I saw in the spring. The good news is, that, if he’s not quite ready, Michigan has two veterans it can turn to.

Nickel

Starter(s): Zeke Berry and Ja’Den McBurrows  

Backups: Wesley Walker and Kody Jones 

What I also loved about Michigan football adding multiple players at cornerback and safety is that it allows Zeke Berry and Ja’Den McBurrows to focus more on nickel.

Each player brings something different. Berry was a top-200 recruit as a safety. He can cover and was blitzing off the edge in the spring game. If you want a bigger nickel, Berry can play that role. McBurrows can too.

Mike Sainristil has said positive things about McBurrows. I wouldn’t doubt him. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from him as a nickel, but I see Berry getting more snaps. Both can play in the slot and McBurrows can also play outside.

Don’t be shocked to see Wesley Walker playing some nickel too. Keon Sabb played in the slot in dime packages, so there’s a need to fill snaps beyond Sainristil’s. Walker can do it and the secondary battles will be fun to watch this fall.

Safety

Starters: Makari Paige and Jaden Mangham 

Backups: Wesley Walker and Quentin Johnson 

Makari Paige is the one guy that I know is going to start. Rod Moore would be starting if he wasn’t hurt but the other spot could go to any of the three: Quentin Johnson, Walker, or Jaden Mangham.

Mangham had four interceptions and was honorable mention All-Big Ten last season. He also had 53 tackles. He’s got range to cover on the back end.

It will be interesting to see how Michigan football uses all four but the Wolverines have lived in sub-packages in recent years so there will be plenty of snaps to go around. They had four safeties play over 300 last season.

Injuries will happen and things will sort themselves out. For now, Michigan football fans can feel good about the secondary depth, which wasn’t necessarily the case a week ago.