Michigan Football’s resurgence has been led by its defensive line, and that should be the case again in 2025:
It took Jim Harbaugh over half a decade to get the Michigan Wolverines back to being a legitimate Big Ten and College Football Playoff contender, and he did so by leaning into the program’s identity. While the story of Michigan’s revival certainly includes J.J. McCarthy, historic running backs, NFL tight ends, award-winning offensive lines, and lockdown back sevens, the identity of this turnaround begins at the defensive line.
With Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Josaiah Stewart just the latest stars to be drafted, it is fair to question if the Wolverines are set to take a step back up front. However, as wild as it might seem to say, there is an argument that the line will be even better in 2025, despite losing these immense talents. Michigan has become a factory, churning out defensive linemen, and the next men up are ready to cause havoc this fall.
Restocking the interior
Graham and Grant were ones to remember , and their selection in the NFL Draft last week made it four defensive tackles taken in the first two rounds of the past three drafts — a ridiculous testament to what is happening in Ann Arbor. Looking to keep that trend alive, Rayshaun Benny, Tre Williams, and Trey Pierce will take the baton this season.
Benny is the obvious name to make the leap forward, as he has shown plenty of glimpses of dominance already; with multiple TFLs and sacks to his name, the veteran tackle is at the forefront of the new line. Williams, the former top-100 prospect from Clemson, and Pierce are also getting offseason hype, and this trio should be as strong as any nationally.
Enow Etta and Damon Payne will certainly be in the rotation as well, with Ike Iwunnah looking to play a role too. That gives at least six quality candidates at the position heading into the fall. Given Michigan’s style of play, this depth is imperative, and fortunately there seems to be no shortage, especially with Williams and Payne transferring in.
So much of the Wolverines’ defense was made possible by Graham and Grant causing disruption in the middle, so any drop off here would have cascading effects. Fortunately, this group of tackles looks capable of taking on that responsibility. While no single player may be at the level of their predecessors, the sheer quantity of talent on the interior gives a ton of optimism for this fall.
Familiar faces on the edge
Out wide, Michigan is a little more established with Derrick Moore and TJ Guy looking like the starters. Getting Moore back is a huge boost — like Stewart before him — and he absolutely could be a first-rounder in 2026. Guy has been more of a rotational piece, but has been with the program for a long time and is not a stranger to the field, appearing in every game last season with four tackles for loss against Ohio State and Alabama to close out the year.
Mike Elston’s player development will be on display this fall. There names after Moore and Guy are less familiar, but do not be surprised to see players like Cameron Brandt and Dominic Nichols suddenly break out after waiting for their opportunity. These two seem like the logical No. 3 and 4 edge rushers, but like at tackle, this is another position that should see a healthy number of contributors. There will be a step back without Stewart, but I would not be surprised to see the line as a whole function just as productively in 2025.
An interesting element to watch will be the deployment of Jaishawn Barham. Once seemed set for a position change, Barham appears likely to remain at linebacker, but can provide plenty of chaos in the backfield from there. Given Michigan’s depth in the middle of the defense, it was no surprise that a position change was floated for the former Terp; however, the decision to keep him at linebacker points to the coaching staff’s confidence in all of the returning options at edge.
No one is suggesting the starting four (or five) defensive linemen are stronger on paper than a season ago, but the depth at this group cannot be overlooked. Michigan has been intentional at stocking up tackles and edge rushers both in recruiting and through the transfer portal, and program’s ability to develop talent remains one of the country’s best. Heading into this fall, the defensive front will be a strength once again, which is a huge luxury given the team’s elite departures.