Michigan’s defense ended the season as one of the best units in the country in 2024, but there is always room for improvement. Here are 3 positions that can make the biggest leap this fall:
The Michigan Wolverines lost a lot this offseason on the defensive side of the ball, but there’s still a lot of talent returning in 2025. While it’s easy to anticipate the defensive line taking a step back, there are other positions that appear ready to take a step forward.
Here are three position groups ready to take the biggest leap this fall.
Safeties
Despite losing Makari Paige and Quinten Johnson, the safety room should see some improvements this year. The Wolverines have some young guys returning with experience like Mason Curtis and Brandyn Hilman, and they also added T.J. Metcalf via the portal. Metcalf had more than 50 tackles and led Arkasnas in a few categories, including interceptions and pass deflections. He already had an impact in the spring game and will likely play a big role this fall.
Regardless if Rod Moore is a full go or not, this group should be strong in 2025.
Linebackers
The linebackers weren’t necessarily bad in 2024, but returning Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham is huge. Hausmann led the team with 89 tackles in 2024, and Barham was just behind him with 66. This starting duo should be a major part of the defensive game plan, and it’ll be exciting to watch them on the field this fall.
It’s not just the projected returning starters, it’s the other guys, too. Cole Sullivan was worked into the rotation early on, and the coaching staff has great things to say about him. He only had four tackles on the season, but it’s easy to see him having more of an impact this fall. Jimmy Rolder is also back for his senior year, and Michigan added a young player with a lot of potential in former Georgia Bulldog Troy Bowles.
Edge rushers
Derrick Moore and TJ Guy are expected to be the starters, and they had one heck of an ending to last year against Alabama. Moore led the team in the ReliaQuest Bowl with four tackles and two sacks, and Guy had three tackles as well.
Behind those guys are a couple young guys that already have playing experience in Cameron Brandt and Dominic Nichols. Brandt took a step forward last year as a second-year player with three sacks and a force fumble, and Nichols burst onto the scene late in 2024 as a true freshman. These two are going to play a crucial role in the two-deep and appear more than ready to do so.
This unit could also be even better if Michigan’s offense improves. The Wolverines counted on their defensive line to hold teams to low scores in 2024 because they had an offense that could barely move the ball. Getting Moore and Guy off the field for longer stretches can help preserve their energy for later in games and for later in the season, helping them get to the quarterback more consistently. While the same is true for all these defensive positions, it could allow Martindale to dial up more pressures because his guys won’t be so gassed.
What do you think about Michigan’s defense heading into the 2025 season? Let us know in the comments below!