Michigan’s new-look defensive line will need a couple standouts for the team to take a step forward in 2025. One guy that can help them get there? Freak athlete Enow Etta, who could be a versatile player for the Wolverines this fall:
The Michigan Wolverines love athleticism and versatility on the defensive line. That’s part of the reason recent successes like Kenneth Grant, Mason Graham, Mazi Smith, and Kris Jenkins were all high picks in the NFL Draft.
Now that they have all moved on, the maize and blue are seeking that next wave of talent. Perhaps the next in line could be Enow Etta.
The story so far
Etta is a redshirt sophomore and former four-star recruit in the 2023 class. Coming to Ann Arbor, the expectation from all parties was he would be setting the edge as a pass rusher. When you have 20 sacks as a senior and 76 career sacks as a high schooler over three seasons as a starter, there’s a strong case to stay at edge.
However, as his lead recruiter and former defensive line coach, Mike Elston, went to Los Angeles with Jim Harbaugh, change also happened for Etta. New defensive line coach Lou Esposito and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale knew they needed more depth on the interior with departures and asked Etta to play there in his second season.
I came here because coach Elston wanted me as an edgebSo after those guys left — coach Elston, coach Roney, and the old staff — the new guys put me at D-tackle. And I was like, ‘Man, this is what I was trying to avoid.’ I was in denial at first. It was like, ‘Bro, what should I do?’ – Etta on In The Trenches in April
After playing in only three games his freshman season, Etta admitted he considered entering the transfer portal with four years of eligibility. Instead, he stuck around and embraced the challenge from Esposito, and their relationship has flourished because of it.
“(Esposito is) one of my favorite coaches I’ve ever had because he’s more of a mentor to me. Just the way he talks to me — he’ll correct me, but it’s because you can tell it’s because he wants to see you do better,” Etta said. “(Moving to the interior) is probably one of the best things to happen to my career.”
That’s because the switch led to significantly more playing time for Etta in his redshirt freshman season. While it was mostly in a rotational role, Etta compile half a sack, four tackles and a pass breakup in 2024.
Outlook for 2025
Etta has spent the offseason beefing up. In April, he mentioned he was up to 320 pounds and wanted to cut to 310 before the start of the season. To put that into perspective, Etta played at 295 his freshman season. He’s fully embraced this change to the interior both mentally and physically.
At 6-foot-5, Etta has turned himself from a shifty edge to a towering force on the interior. Heading into the fall, he will be one of the largest players on what is already a defensive line with massive humans on it.
Last season was about laying the foundation; 2025 is the time for him to flourish. His snap count will assuredly increase, but the room is much more crowded than it once was. Rayshaun Benny and transfers Damon Payne Jr. and Tre Williams will get the lion’s share of time on the field, but Etta should be a key rotational piece and can earn the right to see more playing time. If things fall into place, he’ll be a starter in 2026 and be one of the faces of Michigan’s defense.