Michigan will be replacing a handful of stars on defense this year, but the group has plenty of depth and experience to help mitigate those losses. Here’s our prediction of what the depth chart looks like on defense prior to fall camp:
Even after losing eight starters and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, the Wolverines’ defense held its own in 2024 and got better as the season progressed. First-year coordinator Wink Martindale made some sound adjustments to the college game late in the year, while plenty of young players gained experience to set themselves up for even more success in 2025.
Although there is a lot of returning talent this season, there are some big shoes to fill with Will Johnson, Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant and Josaiah Stewart all now in the NFL. But for what the Wolverines might be lacking in star power this year, should be more than made up for with depth.
Here’s a look at what we believe the defensive depth chart could be looking like as Michigan begins fall camp this week.
Defensive Tackle
Starters: Rayshaun Benny/Tre Williams
Depth: Damon Payne, Enow Etta, Trey Pierce, Ike Iwunnah, Benny Patterson, Travis Moten, Bobby Kanka
The defensive tackle group faced the biggest talent drain this offseason with Graham and Grant both leaving for the NFL. Despite the loss of two elite players, Sherrone Moore and Michigan made sure the cupboards were stocked up.
At the top of the depth chart, we’ll see Benny get more snaps than anyone. He is entering his fifth season and has slowly contributed more and more each year. He seems like a big breakout candidate, as he’ll get the chance to show what he can do in a starting role.
Williams and his 315-pound frame will also get plenty of snaps, but it would make sense to see as many as five guys rotate through. Those other guys include Payne, Etta, Pierce and Iwunnah. True freshmen in Patterson, Moten and Kanka will be prepping to contribute in future seasons.
Edge Rusher
Starters: Derrick Moore/T.J. Guy
Depth: Cameron Brandt, Dominic Nichols, Chibi Anwunah, Nate Marshall, Lugard Edokpayi, Julius Holly
Even after losing Stewart this offseason, the edge rusher group appears to be in good hands. Leading the way is Moore, a senior that’s seen his role grow each year. He had just four sacks last year, but don’t be surprised if he doubles that number this year. Alongside him is Guy, a speed rusher that made the most of his limited playing time last year with 5.5 sacks despite being No. 3 on the depth chart. It’ll be fun to see what he can do with more opportunities.
This group might not be as deep as the defensive tackles, but there are still good options behind Moore and Guy. The first names that come to mind are Brandt and Nichols, with the latter especially having caught some eyes this offseason — he’s put on some weight and appears ready to make more of an impact as a sophomore.
Further down, the most exciting name to watch this camp will be Marshall, a four-star in the 2025 class. He didn’t enroll early, so he faces an uphill battle to get playing time early on, but his talent and development will be interesting to monitor.
Linebacker
Starters: Ernest Hausmann/Jaishawn Barham
Depth: Jimmy Rolder, Cole Sullivan, Troy Bowles, Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, Chase Taylor
It’s pretty much copy/paste from last season with the off-ball linebackers, as Hausmann and Barham are both back for their senior seasons. They were first and second on the team in tackles last season, respectively, and in Hausmann’s case, he earned All-Big Ten honorable mentions. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Hausmann named a team captain as he enters his third season in Ann Arbor.
Despite the talent at the top of the depth chart, there might still be some concerns about depth that linger from last year. Rolder is entering his fourth year with the program and should be the next man up, but he’s yet to have significant playing time in his career. Sullivan is a talented sophomore, but he didn’t see much playing time on defense last year.
There are a couple new faces in the group this year, headlined by Bowles, who comes over from Georgia and is the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles. If he’s able to find his groove in Martindale’s system, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get on the field more than he did at Georgia. Owusu-Boateng and Taylor are entering the fray as true freshmen, and both flashed a bit in the spring game.
Cornerback
Starters: Jyaire Hill, Zeke Berry, Tevis Metcalf (nickel)
Depth: Shamari Earls, Jo’Ziah Edmond, Caleb Anderson, Jeremiah Lowe
Michigan’s cornerback room might be better than you think. The group struggled at the start of the season, but flipped the switch down the stretch, holding its own against talented teams like Ohio State and Alabama.
Jyaire Hill and Zeke Berry should be the favorites to start on the outside. Berry started 2024 at nickel with mixed results, but moved to the boundary late in the year and thrived. It was the opposite story for Hill, who came out of the gates hot but struggled late in the year. Still, he’s a talented player that will look to take the next step as a junior.
It won’t be a surprise to see Michigan rotate in several bodies on the outside, as Edmond, Earls and Anderson are waiting in the wings.
At nickel, Metcalf appears to be the front-runner after impressing in the spring. The Wolverines have plenty of options here though, including the aforementioned Hill and Berry, as well as safeties Rod Moore, Jordan Young, Mason Curtis and Brandyn Hillman.
Safety
Starters: Brandyn Hillman/T.J. Metcalf
Depth: Rod Moore, Mason Curtis, Jaden Mangham, Jordan Young, Jacob Oden, Elijah Dotson, Kainoa Winston
Much like corner, Michigan has plenty of bodies to rotate around at safety, and it won’t be a surprise to see the Wolverines use their depth. One of the most important things to watch will be the health of Moore, who has undergone two knee surgeries since the end of 2023 and is still working his way back .
Assuming Moore isn’t ready to go by Week 1, Hillman and Metcalf should be the favorites to start. Hillman has generated plenty of buzz since the end of last season, earning a reputation as the hardest-hitting player on the team. As for Metcalf, he racked up 55 tackles and three interceptions at Arkansas last year and will look to pick right back up where he left off.
Further down the depth chart, Curtis made some noise last year as a true freshman. His 6-foot-5 frame and athleticism will make it hard for the coaching staff to keep him off the field, especially as he gets more acclimated to the college game. Mangham is also back with the program after transferring from Michigan State ahead of the 2024 season. He’ll look to see the field more after playing sparingly last year.