The Michigan offense lost nine starters from this past season to the NFL draft, or to graduation, but the Michigan defense lost its share of players as well. The Wolverines lost both starting Edge rushers, a stout defensive lineman in Kris Jenkins, both starting linebackers, and two starting corners.
While it might seem like a lot of talent leaving Ann Arbor, Michigan is also returning some major talent. Both Rod Moore and Makari Paige chose to return for a final season, as did Josaiah Stewart.
The Michigan depth takes a little hit, but if Jesse Minter returns to Michigan, the Wolverines defense should be just fine in 2024.
With that being said, here is my way-too-early 2024 Michigan defensive depth chart.
Edge:
Starters: JR Derrick Moore, SR Josaiah Stewart
Backups: SR TJ Guy, RS FR Enow Etta
Other options: SO Cameron Brandt, SR Kechaun Bennett, SO Aymeric Koumba
Braiden McGregor and Jaylen Harrell started in 2023, but both Derrick Moore and Josaiah Stewart were also instrumental in the success of the defense. Michigan rotates its linemen and Moore and Stewart were fantastic. Stewart was second with 5.5 sacks and Moore was third with five sacks last year. Both of them will automatically slot into the starting role.
After Moore and Stewart, it gets a little hazy. TJ Guy saw 81 snaps last year and Cameron Brandt saw 61 snaps. While Brandt played more than Enow Etta — who played nine total snaps — I think Etta will insert himself into a key role in ’24. He was a top recruit in the 2023 class and spent a season learning the playbook and bulking up his body. A talent like his can’t stay on the sideline too long.
The Wolverines are blessed with some athletic Edge rushers, but getting them some experience and polishing their rush moves will be the key for depth moving forward.
Interior defensive line:
Starters: JR Mason Graham, JR Kenneth Grant
Backups: RS JR Rayshaun Benny, SO Trey Pierce
Other options: 5th-year SR Reece Atteberry, RS FR Brooks Bahr, RS SO Ike Iwunnah
This is about as easy as it comes to naming a starting duo. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant will arguably be the best interior pairing in all of college football — as juniors. Graham is as sound as they come stuffing the run. He led Michigan with a 87.8 run defense grade. Grant is a little more athletic with a massive frame. Grant tallied three sacks last year and can do just about anything the Wolverines want him to.
Rayshaun Benny will be back to rotate with Graham and Grant. Benny continues to play better and better each season and his role will only increase in 2024. But who plays alongside Benny is a little hazy, also. Trey Pierce should get the first opportunity after burning his redshirt in 2023. He played in seven games last year, and it appears Michigan was grooming him to play the Cam Goode role in 2024.
Linebackers:
Starters: JR Ernest Hausmann, JR Jaishawn Barham
Backups: RS SO Jimmy Rolder, RS SO Micah Pollard
Other options: RS JR Jaydon Hood, RS FR Semaj Bridgeman, FR Jeremiah Beasley
Even with losing Junior Colson and Michael Barrett, who were absolute studs at linebacker, the Wolverines should be just fine at the position. Ernest Hausmann was third on the team last year with 46 tackles and he will be elevated to an even higher role in ’24. His counterpart appears to be Maryland transfer Jaishawn Barham who is a solid tackler and a good pass rusher. He led the Terps in sacks in 2022 as a freshman.
Behind Hausmann and Barham are a pair of younger guys who have experience. Jimmy Rolder played a ton as a freshman but a nagging injury affected his playing time in 2023. He will be back into the fold along with Michah Pollard who played in six games in 2023. Pollard should get the first look at LB No. 4, but watch out for some younger guys who will look to make an impact early with the Wolverines.
Cornerbacks:
Starters: JR Will Johnson, SO DJ Waller, JR Keon Sabb (safety)
Backups: SO Jyaire Hill, RS SO Ja’Den McBurrows, RS SO Myles Pollard
Other options: RS SO Kody Jones, RS JR Christian Dixon, FR Jo’Ziah Edmond
Will Johnson returns for most likely one final season in Ann Arbor. Johnson would be a first round pick in the upcoming draft if he were eligible to enter. While Johnson returns, Michigan will need to find replacements for Mike Sainristil and Josh Wallace.
With the return of Rod Moore and Makari Paige, Michigan will want to get Keon Sabb on the field as much as possible. The best way of doing so is to utilize his length and put him on the field as a corner. The Wolverines will probably play a lot of three safety looks in ’24 and expect to see Sabb a ton.
I like DJ Waller to get the first look as the other starting corner. He played in 10 games and saw 123 snaps in 2023 as a true freshman. But if it’s not Waller, Jyaire Hill or Ja’Den McBurrows will be the choice. The Wolverines are young at corner, but there is plenty of talent to be had.
Safeties:
Starters: SR Rod Moore, SR Makari Paige
Backups: RS SO Zeke Berry, SO Brandyn Hillman
Other options: FR Jacob Oden, 6th YR Quinten Johnson (if granted)
The return of Moore and Paige was massive for Michigan. The Wolverines went from having a good defensive outlook in 2024 to becoming a top-five defense with their return. You can’t ask for a better tandem in the back than those two. Both are sound tacklers and have speed to keep up.
Behind Moore and Paige you might see Keon Sabb if Michigan chooses to go that route, or see a couple of young guys like Zeke Berry and Brandyn Hillman. Berry was in the same class with Sabb — he got just as much hype as Sabb. Berry could be in store for quality playing time in ’24.
As a true freshman, Hillman played in six games and burned his redshirt. Michigan likes what it has in Hillman and it appears the Wolverines were looking toward the 2024 season with expectations of using him more.
The one thing that could change this is if Quinten Johnson gains an additional year of eligibility. It’s not known if he will, and he hasn’t said anything either. But if he does, he will instantly slot into the rotation.
