Michigan Football: Don Brown Talks Progress on Defense

The early book on Michigan’s defense looks clear: strong, talented front seven, ready to take the heat off a young, talented secondary. It’s not that easy, according to Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown.

The Wolverines, in a secondary full of new starters, have to hold their own in a number of ways, he stressed. But Michigan will feature strength up front.

“Who is providing the leadership?” Brown asked. “That’s what we’re building right now. I’d be nervous if I saw this [feigning fear] … oooh, nobody. I think that [leadership development is] starting to happen.”

He mentioned fifth-year senior defensive tackle Maurice Hurst Jr., fifth-year senior linebacker Mike McCray and sophomore defensive tackle Rashan Gary among those stepping forward. He again downplayed the narrative that has Michigan in trouble because of losing 10 out of 11 starters on defense.

“That starters thing … we had a lot of guys play last year,” he said. “[Junior safety] Tyree Kinnel played a lot last year. Rashan Gary played a ton.

“Mo Hurst — okay, he wasn’t a starter. He was just one of the most devastating penetrators inside in college football. Just saying.

“[Redshirt junior defensive tackle] Bryan Mone played a bunch, [redshirt junior defensive end] Chase Winovich was on the field — it goes on and on and on and on. [Sophomore linebacker] Devin Bush played a lot of football last year, a lot of it on [special] teams, but a lot of it on defense as well.”

Brown thus brushed off the direct personnel concerns. He focused, rather, on leaders strongly taking charge.

“Who is going to provide that rock, that when adversity introduces a man to himself, is going to take the group on his back and go?” Brown challenged. “I think that’s starting to develop, and the arrow is up on that.

“That’s the bigger piece for me.”

There will be enough adversity to go around, with an opener involving Florida. No one will be able to hide, Brown hinted, but different components of the defense can work together to make a tougher whole.

“Everybody has a job,” he said. “In the run game, all 11 players are involved. Shoot, I chase the corners a lot harder than I chase the linebackers in defending the run game. Coach [Mike] Zordich and Coach [Brian] Smith have to get the safeties involved.

“In the pass game, it’s the same deal. The back end … has a pass coverage responsibility. But how fast we can get there?”

That question is directly related to how much heat Michigan can create on the opposing quarterback, Brown insisted. He launched into an animated demonstration of a QB having plenty of time to look around and throw.

“Whoo … I can be pretty good,” he said. “I’m 62, and I can be pretty good. Okay? But you go back and all of a sudden it’s, whoom [demonstrating a QB under fire] … that has an impact. It all plays together.

“It’s all 11. That’s why playing defense is such a big deal. Eleven guys are going to be evaluated and talked about as one. That’s just the way it is. That’s the way it’s always been, and we prepare them for it mentally.”

Brown also touched on some personnel particulars in his midday session with the media. He noted he couldn’t judge too much, since the Wolverines had spent the first two days “with your pajamas on,” in non-padded practice.

But asked directly about certain players, he proved characteristically forthcoming. Brown commented on…

• Freshmen defensive ends Luiji Vilain and Kwity Paye: “I watched pass rush yesterday … pretty good. Very good start. Luiji is extremely explosive, comes off the rock. I was impressed with not only does he come off the rock, but how Kwity used his hands.

“Those guys are very talented guys, as Coach [Jim Harbaugh] has alluded to. We’re going to give them every opportunity possible to get them on the field in some role.”

• The battle at cornerback: “The corner thing is paramount in our thinking. Coach Zordich, I have tremendous confidence in his abilities to analyze, provide technique and concept.

“I love those guys. All of those guys have a chance to be good. Coach gave me an early birthday present. [Redshirt junior cornerback] Drake Harris had a nice interception yesterday. I love those guys, when they put their hands out and they’re nice and long, and he high-points the ball. It’s fun to see. Hopefully he can continue to take steps, move forward, learn the concepts and play fast — that’s the biggest piece.”

He then listed nearly every cornerback on the roster, adding, “There are a number of guys there, and right now, we’re going to try to find out who the top two, and really three, guys are.”

• Sophomore viper Khaleke Hudson: “I love him. He’s a very physical guy. His learning at that position has been outstanding, and he’s competing at a high level. He hasn’t played a minute on defense yet … I’m just very happy with his arrow.

“Some guys’ arrow is flat, some guys’ arrow is down. His arrow is constantly going up. He’s a really coachable guy. He’s fun to have in the room. And don’t forget, he can play some safety as well.”

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