The Michigan defense for years has been a scary unit.
Defensive coordinator Don Brown’s unit has always inspired fear in its opponent. Yet, what might be even scarier for teams is junior defensive end Rashan Gary believes the defense can only get better.
Heading into a road tilt with Northwestern, Gary is confident that this defense is going to continue to grow.
“That we have to keep playing how we are playing,” Gary said. “We can only get better. As a defense, I feel like we have yet to play our best game. That’s the fun part about it, about football and throughout the season, you’re able to get better and better week by week.”
Gary has taken freshman defensive end Aidan Hutchinson under his wing so far this season. He said he enjoyed getting to watch Hutchinson play against Nebraska instead of Gary. Getting Hutchinson experience could prove valuable down the road for the Wolverines.
“It’s the bigger picture,” Gary said. “Aidan (Hutchinson), getting his feet wet and building that confidence and building himself up. Kwity Paye, you know, him building himself up getting his confidence up. Letting them know that they can play in big moments, and we’re going to need them down the line.
One might think Gary would hate to come off the field, but he knows how helpful getting the younger ends experience is.
“So, me sitting back and me not taking those reps, I was actually happy because I got a chance to help Aidan see what he sees in the game, help Kwity see what he sees in the game, just hyping them up, getting hype with them and letting them know that while you’re on the field, this is yours,” Gary said.
Gary has been very impressed with the potential of Hutchinson.
“I tell him all the time, my freshman year, he’s ahead of where I was,” Gary said. “Give him a little confidence, but let him know where he has to improve.”
Hutchinson and Gary are key parts of a defense that has room to grow as Big Ten play continues. Gary said they aren’t satisfied with their performance yet and aren’t done getting better.
Even though the Wolverines lost to Notre Dame, Gary still believes that they have everything left on the table
“We’re still in control of our goals and our destiny,” Gary said. “We just have to come out and show the world.”
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