Although there are still some question marks defensively, the general belief among those in the college football world is that the Michigan defense will be elite once again in 2024. The Wolverines return the most dominant DT duo in Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, and the edge rushing duo of Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore combined for 10.5 sacks in 2023.

For the defensive line, the biggest question mark is the depth. It’s well-known that the Michigan defense has frequently had a deep rotation over the last three years, allowing the Wolverines to rotate guys frequently throughout a game without any noticeable drop-off. That ability to rotate guys and keep everyone fresh is a major reason why the Michigan defense was the best in the nation.

The starting unit certainly looks elite, but will the Wolverines have the depth up front to be able to rotate guys in 2024 without skipping a beat? That remains to be seen, but there’s certainly a lot to like about the current defensive line depth in Ann Arbor.

Here’s a closer look:

Projected Starters

Mason Graham – DT (Junior)

• All-American (second team, 2023)
• All-Big Ten selection (first team, coaches; third team, media, 2023)
• Tournament of Roses 2023 Rose Bowl Game Defensive MVP
• Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2023)
• Shared Defensive Freshman of the Year honors (2022)
• Two-time letterman (2022-23)
• Has appeared in 27 games with 15 starts along the defensive line

Kenneth Grant – DT (Junior)

• All-Big Ten selection (second team, coaches; third team, media, 2023)
• Two-time letterman (2022-23)
• Has appeared in 29 games along the defensive line (one, special teams only) with five starts

Josaiah Stewart – EDGE/DE

• All-Big Ten selection (honorable mention, coaches, 2023)
• Co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 2, 2023)
• One-year letterman (2023)
• Has appeared in 15 games off the edge
• 5.5 sacks in 2023

Derrick Moore – EDGE/DE (Junior)

• All-Big Ten selection (honorable mention, coaches and media, 2023)
• Two-time letter winner (2022-23)
• Has appeared in 29 games along the defensive line

DT Depth

Rayshaun Benny – DT (Senior)

• Three-time letterman (2021-22-23)
• Has appeared in 31 games along the defensive line with one start

Cam Brandt – DT (Sophomore)

• Appeared in 14 games on special teams including six along the defensive line; made four tackles to earn his first varsity letter
• Named Defensive Freshman of the Game following his performance at Minnesota

Trey Pierce – DT (Sophomore)

• Appeared in 13 games including seven along the defensive line; made two tackles to earn his first varsity letter

Enow Etta – EDGE/DT (Sophomore)

• Appeared in three games along the defensive line; made one tackle to earn his first varsity letter
• Made his U-M debut against ECU (Sept. 2) along the defensive line
• Made one solo tackle playing along the defensive line against UNLV (Sept. 9)
• Played along the defensive line against Bowling Green (Sept. 16)
• Etta began his career as an edge rusher, but indicated he’s been repping at DT during spring ball.

NOTE: Brooks Bahr (Sophomore), Alessandro Lorenzetti (Junior), Peter Simmons (Senior), and Ike Iwunnah (senior) have yet to see game action.

EDGE/DE Depth

TJ Guy – EDGE/DE (Senior)

• Three-time letterman (2021-22-23)
• Has appeared in 24 games including 17 on defense

Tyler McLaurin – EDGE/DE (Senior)

• Two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2022-23)
• Named the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year (2021)
• Two-year letterman (2021-22)
• Has appeared in five career games

Kechaun Bennett – EDGE/DE (Senior)

• Three-time letterman (2021-22-23)
• Has appeared in 15 career games

Chibi Anwunah – EDGE/DE (Junior)

• Did not see game action 
• Named Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Week for his role in preparing the special teams units for UNLV (2023)

Joey Klunder – EDGE/DE (Junior)

• Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2023)
• One-year letterman (2023)

Aymeric Koumba – EDGE/DE (Sophomore)

• Appeared in one game along the defensive line to earn his first varsity letter
• Named Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week for his role in preparing the offense for Rutgers
• Made his U-M debut against ECU (Sept. 2) along the defensive line

Breeon Ishmail – EDGE/DE (Sophomore)

• Did not see game action (2023)
• Earned a 247Sports Composite ranking of three stars; the No. 1,173 overall player nationally, the No. 98 linebacker in the nation and the No. 36 player in the state of Ohio
• Named a three-star prospect by 247Sports; the No. 91 linebacker in the nation and the No. 38 player in the state of Ohio

Dominic Nichols – EDGE/DE (Freshman)

• Earned a 247Sports Composite ranking of three stars; the No. 531 overall player nationally, the No. 37 edge rusher in the country and the No. 16 player in the state of Maryland
• Named a three-star prospect by 247Sports; the No. 36 edge rusher overall and the No. 17 player in the state of Maryland