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Michigan’s defense was dominant last season (271 yards allowed per game, third-best nationally), but the case could be made that the safeties were the weakest part of the unit.
Both starters — senior Tyree Kinnel and junior Josh Metellus — are back once again in 2018, and the former explained that the chemistry among the crew is even better than it was last season.
“It certainly wasn’t a problem last year, but we were a young group,” Kinnel explained. “We now all having starting experience, so I think we’ll be good.”
The safeties also have a new position coach they’re working with — Brian Smith departed in December to become the defensive coordinator at Rice, and special teams/linebackers coach Chris Partridge slid in to fill his void.
“I’ve worked with Coach Partridge the last two or three years, but I see a different side of him now,” Kinnel said. “He wants to be great, and is on top of us very hard. We get our grade sheets every day, and they’re so detailed, which is obviously a good thing. He’ll have us in great position.
“He’s just a football freak too — he’d know what he’s talking about wherever he coached. He and Coach [Devin] Bush click together so well. I feel comfortable talking with them about things away from football too.
“I know I have a lot of individual improvements to make though. Coach Partridge and Coach Bush are on top of me every single day trying to make me better.”
Although Kinnel is expected to earn a starting job once again in 2018, he’ll be pushed by two talented youngsters in sophomores J’Marick Woods and Jaylen Kelly-Powell.
“They’re both doing great, especially Jaylen,” Kinnel revealed. “He’s been flying around all spring and is playing multiple positions — nickel, safety, corner. J’Marick is getting better every day too — we saw him come in games toward the end of last year, and he’s continued to build off that.”
The senior explained that several players have stood out on the other side of the ball as well.
“[Sophomore receiver] Tarik [Black] makes plays every day in practice,” Kinnel said. “We saw glimpses of him last year in the first game against Florida, so it’s great to have him back. The other receivers are doing well too, especially [sophomore] Donovan [Peoples-Jones], [junior] Eddie [McDoom] and [junior] Kekoa [Crawford].
“The mobility of the quarterbacks has gone up as well. They’re making plays outside the pocket, and are getting smarter and more comfortable in the system.”
Finally, Kinnel admitted he's looking forward to the trip to Paris and Normandy once spring practices conclude.
“I just tried to take it all in last year in Rome, mainly how their society operates," he recalled. "I still have all the pictures on my phone and go through them sometimes. We’re so blessed to be able to go on this free trip. I think it’ll be even bigger for us this year because we won’t have any practices over there — we’ll be more together as a team."
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