The pundits who don't give Michigan much of a chance to be elite this year usually point to the absence of returning starters, including the loss of 10 on defense. Defensive coordinator Don Brown, however, is not concerned.
All four defensive linemen played at an extremely high level last year, he noted, and the linebackers have all seen game action.
“They say, ‘they lost 10, 11 starters,”’ Brown said. “But wait a minute. Rashan Gary played all the time, and Maurice Hurst. So did Bryan Mone and Chase Winovich. [At linebacker] Mike McCray is there, Devin Bush played; Noah Furbush played a bunch.
“Secondary-wise, I get it. But Tyree Kinnell played. Josh Metellus started, in the Orange Bowl … that’s nothing to get shook about. Outside of a play or two, he was very functional, made a bunch of plays. I’m not as nervous about that piece. I just think we have a fun group that loves football, and that usually leads to success.”
They’re all working toward the first fall practice with extreme confidence, Brown said.
“Devin Bush … what’s funny, I said to him today, ‘are you going to be nervous come August?’ He said, ‘Coach … I’ve been around it enough. around you enough, I’m good. And he is. He played MIKE and he played WILL. He played WILL for us all year a year ago. Now we’ve given him that swing deal. Is that fair? Probably not. Any time you ask a guy to swing …
“I’m looking at it like I’ve got those three guys. If you twisted my arm today, I would say those three guys we could put in a game and they’ll be fine. I could put Wrobo [Mike Wroblewski] in on first and second down, put Devin in, pull Wrobo out and he can go over here and give Mike a rest. We didn’t have that last year. There were times last year I said, ‘oh my God … get up, Mike. Get up!”
Depth will be the key at the linebacker position, and a pair of second-year guys has emerged a bit.
“Devin Gil, Elysee Mbem-Bosse, we’re starting to develop some depth,” Brown said. “We’ve got Wrobo, Devin, Mike, and we’ve got the three pups [freshmen] coming in here. I’m kind of anxious to get my hands on those three guys. Jordan Anthony will be interesting. Josh Ross will be interesting, and Drew Singleton.”
Brown has an idea which linebacker positions the freshmen will fill, but he wouldn’t share it. Some guys look the part but react better at another position when it’s live, he noted, perhaps are better playing in the box.
Khaleke Hudson and Jordan Glasgow have the viper position under control, he continued.
“Jabrill [Peppers] was unbelievable, but we think we’ve got two pretty reliable guys. Khaleke was a safety, could easily go back and function there, but I think he has settled in there really well. With Glasgow, it’s not as clear cut. He was a backup and doing extremely well there, but can also jump back and play safety.
“And Noah [Furbush] deserves more time. We’re going to do some interesting things with old Noah as we move forward. I’m just telling you right now.”
NOTES
• Brown is good with freshman linebacker Ben Mason’s move to fullback.
“Shoot, he’s the strongest guy on the team,” he said. “He’s a tough guy. If you ask me, I wouldn’t want to face him in the ‘B’ gap coming at me 60 mph at 247 pounds. Is that good for our team? I think it’s very good for our team.”
• Sophomore Metellus could be one of the team’s breakout players this year, Brown said.
“I’d like to see him do a little better job on the dig ball, but just mentally, he’s one of those guys that his eyeballs are like this [wide open], especially around me,” Brown said. “He probably thought I was crazy.
“Now he’s completely calm, confident and knows it. That’s the piece. You lose good players. That’s the evolution of what we go through in his progression. Now he’s in his second year in the same system, which is a huge benefit.”
Moving frosh Brad Hawkins from receiver to safety will also provide a boost, he added.
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