Michigan Wolverines Football: Pass Rushers Are Starting To Emerge
One hundred nineteenth out of 127 teams.
That’s where Michigan finished in tackles for loss in last year’s shortened season — not normal for a Don Brown coordinated defense, but the reality in a season in which the Wolverines allowed 34.5 points and 429.3 yards per game, among the worst in the conference.
The sobering reality?
They’re now expected to improve upon those numbers without end Kwity Paye, a projected first-round draft pick, in the mix. Teams focused their attention on him, and with junior Aidan Hutchinson down much of the season, U-M had nobody else ready to step up.
Redshirt sophomore end Taylor Upshaw isn’t among those concerned. Though there are no longer “vipers,” hybrid linebacker-safeties, he has a name for the group of ends he says are hungry to get to the quarterback.
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"We call ourselves the ‘Reapers.’ This is a really important position in the defense,” he said. “The position we play allows us to make a lot plays, so I think it's going to come down to a lot of games where we're going to have to affect the game a lot.
“I’ll take credit for [the name] … mainly, it’s just to wreak havoc. That’s what I want us to do, because I know the talent we have. We have a lot of talent in this room — undeniable talent — and I think this defense is going to give us a chance to eat … to show our true ability.”
So, when you see them on Saturdays, he said, they’re going to be all over the field. The group at his position, coached mainly by defensive analyst Ryan Osborn while Shaun Nua focuses on tackles, includes Aidan Hutchinson, David Ojabo, Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor and Nolan Knight, with Ojabo and Harrell essentially SAM linebackers.
For Upshaw, Hutchinson, etc., there will be plenty of versatility and moving around.
“It’s mainly a stand-up edge position. I’m mainly going to be rushing, but there's also dropping [into coverage], too,” he said. “It’s like a pass rush, but I also still get in a three-point stance. I still mix it up, but it's a [primarily]stand-up edge position.”
Truth is, it doesn’t matter how they start. It’s how they finish that matters, and that means getting the quarterback on the ground. Even Paye struggled in that department last year after the opener at Minnesota, and that can happen again if the defense is going to take a leap forward.
Osborn, previously at UT-Martin as D-line coach, has put them in that position, Upshaw said.
“He is one of the best coaches I’ve had a chance to play under,” Upshaw said. “He’s young; he’s funny. He gets what it’s like, being in the position that we’re in, but he knows what he’s talking about.
“He’s a good coach. You can just tell with his passion, the things he’s getting us right with, our technique … he’s legit. I’m happy he’s with us.”
Upshaw said he, Hutchinson, Mike Morris, Ojabo, McGregor and Harrell were the best pass rushers in the early going, but he knows there’s a lot to prove.
Former defensive tackle Carlo Kemp is one who has faith. He believes the experience gained will be huge for the Wolverines going forward.
“They’re retaining a lot of very good players that not only played a season, but have two seasons under their belt,” Kemp said. “Of course you’ve got Aidan Hutchinson, who we all know what a great player he is, but it’s going to be awesome to see … a lot of people don’t know all the behind-the-scenes work he does as a leader and a captain for this team. He was a captain last year, and I’m assuming he’ll probably receive that role next year, because of what he does for this team and what he means to this team and all the players’ relationships with him.
“And then you’ve got players like Taylor Upshaw who got to step into that role last year with Aidan going down with an injury. With him getting more games under his belt and him being able to play in games and make big plays for us last year, it’s really going to help him moving forward.”
Upshaw agreed, noting the coaches have put a lot of emphasis on their position standing out. The expectations aren’t high, but he believes they’ll be up to the challenge.
“The position we play allows us to make a lot of plays,” Upshaw said. “We’re going to have to affect the game a lot, and I have big expectations for myself and for my teammates.”
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