With as many as six starters on defense departing the Michigan football program, players behind them on the depth will be expected to step in and take more of a role in 2020.
And thats exactly what several of the NFL-bound players expect to happen this fall.
Speaking to reporters last week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, both defensive backs going pro, cornerback Lavert Hill and safety Josh Metellus, identified the same two defensive backs as players to watch this season.
Ambry Thomas and Brad Hawkins, Metellus said. I feel like they both just got real comfortable back there, and now they know me and Lavert gone, so they gotta step up. And I feel like theyre really going to be able to lead the defense the right way.
In fact, several outgoing Michigan players pointed to Hawkins, a safety, as a player to keep an eye on. Hawkins was injured during the final two games of the regular season in 2019, but has starting experience and his play was highly regarded, totaling 53 tackles and a pass breakup.
Hes an extremely athletic (safety), Hill said. He fast, he quick, he big he strong. He like to hit. And he make plays on the ball. Hes going to be a great safety in the next draft.
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Michigan also returns talented freshmen Daxton Hill and Vincent Gray, another underclassmen with playing experience at cornerback.
At linebacker, the Wolverines bring back three players with experience, most notably Cam McGrone the do-it-all redshirt freshman who started 10 games and racked up 66 tackles (9 1/2 for a loss), four sacks, a pass breakup and forced a fumble.
Some have compared his speed and lateral quickness to former All-American Devin Bush, a sign that theres more to come for the Indianapolis native.
Josh Ross and Devin Gil are also back, while Michael Barrett and Anthony Solomon could be candidates to fill the hybrid roles left open by Khaleke Hudson and Josh Uche.
"Michigan going to get great players with them guys, said Hudson, who played a linebacker-safety hybrid role at Michigan. "Them guys work hard every single day. You can tell them guys are trying to learn from me and Uche, and even the coaches. They just want to be the best that they can be.
"I can promise you that theyre going to give it their all every week, every practice and meetings, weight rooms, and theyre going to be the best players that they can be.
Michigan returns three starters along the defensive line, a group that was inexperienced and lacking depth in 2019. Both ends, Kwity Paye and Aidan Hutchinson, are back along with fifth-year senior Carlo Kemp, while the Wolverines expect to receive more production from up-and-coming tackles Christopher Hinton and Mazi Smith.
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They just matured a lot, especially Aidan, said Uche, a projected second or third-round pick in Aprils NFL draft. "For someone being as young as he is, hes mature. He doesnt act his age. He acts a lot older. Like hes been there before.
Hes one hell of a player, man. I think hes going to be a first-round pick when its all said and done.
Michigans defense took a dip statistically in 2019, checking in at No. 11 nationally after allowing 307.2 yards per game. That was the highest ranking and most number of yards given up by the Wolverines since Jim Harbaugh arrived at Michigan. An incredible feat when you consider the defense finished top-3 nationally, at least statistically, in each of the previous three seasons.
Coordinator Don Brown has prided himself on deploying a head-spinning man-press scheme that emphasizes getting to the quarterback and getting off the field quickly. With several departures, new players are expected to step up.
Every year, Michigans defense handles (it), Uche said. "I feel like theres going to be some new changes, in terms of how we run things and stuff like that.
"You guys are in great hands. The defense is in great hands.
Said Hill: "We got a good team, so yall will see.
Read more on Michigan football:
ESPN: Michigans QB situation among top-25 in country heading into 2020
U-M in the mix for two top 2021 running backs
Ex-Michigan captain Joe Bolden joins Ohio State coaching staff
Clarkston 4-star OL Rocco Spindler has Michigan in his top 10
Five stars, high hopes: QB Shea Patterson departs with no regrets
Link:
Michigans departed players talk defense for 2020: You guys are in great hands - MLive.com
