Michigan’s standout defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant were anticipated to make a significant impact in 2024. They have shouldered a substantial burden up to this point, but lesser-known players are now being called on to contribute more prominently:
One of the things Michigan expected to hang its hat on during the 2024 season was elite defensive play, particularly on the defensive line. Even with the loss of Kris Jenkins to the NFL, Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant were returning, two of the nation’s best defensive tackles, to take on prominent roles.
With a duo like that, it guarantees a pretty high floor for almost any defense. However, through three games, Michigan’s defense hasn’t looked like the elite unit that many people expected to see.
Now, this isn’t necessarily the result of Graham and Grant up front, as the two have been able to hold their ground for the most part. The secondary’s inability to tackle in the open field — and perhaps an over-aggressive approach from Wink Martindale — has allowed opposing offenses to keep moving the ball downfield, particularly on third downs. This was especially apparent against Texas , when the Longhorns converted on seven of their first eight third-down attempts.
This certainly isn’t a recipe for keeping points off the board, but it also might lead to the defensive line (and defense as a whole, for that matter) breaking down later in the year if the players are asked to play a lot of snaps.
On Tuesday night, Graham was asked about playing more snaps than usual to this point in the season, particularly the 59 he played against Texas.
“I really wasn’t used to that,” Graham said of the high snap count. “I kind of knew I was gonna need to play that many snaps — I was a little tired out there — everyone was.”
It’s no surprise Graham might have been more tired than usual given the workload he’s been expected to carry on the defensive line, but it’s not encouraging with another tough opponent on deck in USC that hasn’t struggled to move the ball thus far.
Graham also mentioned it’s “pretty taxing” to be asked to play that many snaps in a given game, a task that should only get harder as Michigan gets deeper into the season and faces tougher offensive lines. Fortunately, he sounded encouraged that some younger and less experienced players have started to turn the corner and could provide some much needed relief to him and Grant.
“I feel like a lot of the young guys are starting to step up — make plays,” Graham said.
We’ve seen guys like Rayshaun Benny, Enow Etta and Trey Pierce get some snaps up front through the first three weeks, but these guys were expected to play a role this year. Another guy who has stepped up, though, is senior Ike Iwunnah, who recorded a tackle for a loss and got some first quarter reps last week against Arkansas State.
Iwunnah also spoke on Tuesday night and was asked about his emergence early in the season, citing a better mindset, focus, consistency, and losing weight as what’s helped him get on the field more this year.
“I just got fed up just being on the sideline, just not doing anything,” Iwunnah said.
He won’t be sitting on the sidelines as much anymore, as Iwunnah will likely be asked to play more snaps as the season continues. He feels as if he’s earned more trust from the coaching staff based on the larger workloads he’s been given.
It’s been a long road for Iwunnah, but it’s an opportunity he’s earned. And he could have a chance to shine if he’s continually trusted with more chances. He’s relished the expanded role so far, as well.
“Getting in that first game, my legs were shaking a little bit, but it was the greatest feeling in my life,” Iwunnah said.
Hopefully this won’t be the end of the great feelings for him this season, and that he — among others — will be able to provide meaningful depth to Graham and Grant.