Predicting Michigan’s spring depth chart: Defense

Michigan’s defense should once again be one of the best in the Big Ten thanks to a blend of new and old contributors. Here’s what we believe the defensive depth chart could be looking like as spring practice gets underway:

It was a down year for the Michigan football program, finishing at just 8-5. It wasn’t a down year on the defensive side of the ball, though, as the Wolverines still boasted one of the nation’s best units under first-year college coordinator Wink Martindale.

Michigan’s defensive dominance was spearheaded by star players like Mason Graham, Will Johnson, and Josaiah Stewart, but those guys are off to the NFL, leaving some big shoes to fill. Fortunately for Michigan, plenty of experienced players are back in the fold and should pave the way to another dominant year for the defense. Transfers and youngsters full of potential should help to carry the load, while Martindale’s return to the sideline should only raise the group’s ceiling.

With plenty of names to sort through, we’ll be taking our best crack at what Michigan’s defensive depth chart could look like as spring ball gets underway.

Defensive Tackle

Starters – Rayshaun Benny, Tre Williams; Depth – Damon Payne, Trey Pierce, Enow Etta, Ike Iwunnah, Chibi Anwunah, Alessandro Lornezetti

The front seven of Michigan’s defense should once again be strong, and it all starts with a deep and talented group of defensive tackles. While it might not be the same group that included Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham, it’s still stout and should rotate in plenty of adequate contributors.

Rayshaun Benny should be the leader of the group and will look to make the most of what should be an expanded role. He’s been buried on the depth chart for the last four seasons, albeit behind some elite guys, but he can shine as a full-time starter in 2025. He’ll be joined by Tre Williams, who’s talented but has battled some injuries in his career at Clemson so far.

In recent years, we’ve seen Michigan rotate its defensive tackles pretty heavily. As such, Alabama transfer Damon Payne, Trey Pierce, Enow Etta, and Ike Iwunnah will all get more than their fair share of snaps. This should help keep the group fresh and cause problems for opposing offenses.

Michigan ran into some trouble last year with Grant and Graham playing arguably too many snaps, thanks to limited depth behind them, but the depth and talent of this year’s group should help set the table for the whole defense.

For a more in-depth look at the defensive tackles, read our spring preview.

Edge Rusher

Starters – Derrick Moore, T.J. Guy; Depth – Cameron Brandt, Dominic Nichols, Kechaun Bennett Tyler McLaurin

Michigan’s edge rusher group might not be terribly deep, but there’s plenty of talent at the top. Still, there are a few guys further down the depth chart who could help to raise the ceiling of the group if things break the right way.

At the top of the depth chart is T.J. Guy and Derrick Moore, a pair of seniors. Guy has climbed the depth chart over the last four seasons and had something of a breakout last season with 5.5 sacks. With Josaiah Stewart gone and likely a new starting role, Guy should be even more productive in 2025. Moore should also be more productive with more snaps, building on his four sacks a year ago.

Cameron Brandt will enter the spring as the third edge on the depth chart after notching three sacks with limited snaps in 2024. Meanwhile, sophomore Dominic Nichols could be a candidate for a second-year leap. He played sparingly in 2024, but the coaching staff has raved about him in the past and he’ll likely see the field much more in 2025.

Kechaun Bennett and Tyler McLaurin are both back, but neither player has been a huge contributor thus far in their career and will likely serve as depth pieces.

For a more in-depth look at the edge rushers, read our spring preview.

Linebacker

Starters – Ernest Hausmann, Jaishawn Barham; Depth – Jimmy Rolder, Cole Sullivan, Troy Bowles, Jaydon Hood, Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, Chase Taylor, Jason Hewlett

The off-ball linebacker position is pretty much the same as it was a year ago and should be boringly good in a way. Both Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham started in 2024 and they’ll likely do so again in 2025.

Hausmann should be one of the captains of the defense and should be set for the best season of his career, as this will be his third year in the Wink Martindale-Jesse Minter system. Barham should be improved as well with this being his second season in the system. Overall, the skillsets and experience of Hausmann and Barham should be a steadying force for the defense.

Jimmy Rolder will be the third man on the depth chart to start the spring, while sophomore Cole Sullivan should continue his ascent. Sherrone Moore spoke favorably of Sullivan last summer, and with another year of development, he could become more than just a special teams contributor.

Talented freshman Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng will be on campus this spring as well, and while he shouldn’t necessarily be a candidate for heavy usage on defense right away, he could step into a big role on special teams as he gets stronger and refines his game. His development will be one to monitor.

For a more in-depth look at the linebackers, read our spring preview.

Cornerback

Starters – Zeke Berry, Jyaire Hill, Rod Moore (nickel); Depth – Jo’Ziah Edmond, Ja’Den McBurrows, Caleb Anderson, Shamari Earls, Tevis Metcalf

At corner and safety positions, Michigan has plenty of depth, but maybe some questions still as to who should play what roles. One thing is for sure though: Zeke Berry and Jyaire Hill will enter the spring as the top two corners on the depth chart.

Berry moved outside after Will Johnson went down with an injury against Illinois. After struggling in the nickel spot during the first half of the year, Berry impressed on the outside. With a full offseason to develop on the boundary, Berry could take his game to another level in 2025. Jyaire Hill, on the other hand, was a bit inconsistent last year. He has all the physical tools to excel at the position but showed some issues with tackling and eye discipline. Hopefully, another spring’s worth of development will have him in a better place for the fall.

Jo’Ziah Edmond is similarly a physically impressive player, but is still young as he enters his sophomore campaign. He saw the field later in the year and could make things interesting if he takes a step forward this spring. Shamari Earls is a talented four-star freshman who could also jump into the mix for playing time right away if he impresses this spring, while Caleb Anderson transfers in from Louisiana, where he previously played under Michigan defensive backs coach Lamar Morgan.

At the nickel spot, I’ll give the nod to Rod Moore for now. Michigan used Makari Paige to stabilize the position last year, and with Moore being sidelined last year, this might be a good place to re-integrate him into the defense. Should Moore stick to playing safety, Ja’Den McBurrows and Tevis Metcalf could be guys to watch here.

For a more in-depth look at the cornerbacks, read our spring preview.

Safety

Starters – Brandyn Hillman, T.J. Metcalf; Depth – Rod Moore, Mason Curtis, Jaden Mangham, Jordan Young, Jacob Oden

Much like at corner, there are plenty of talented options here, and Michigan can’t really go wrong. There’s a good mix of veteran experience and young talent, which should make this group one that fans shouldn’t be too worried about.

No defensive player has generated hype since the end of last season like Brandyn Hillman, a high school quarterback that’s moved to the secondary and quickly ascended. Entering his junior season, he’s the leader in the clubhouse for a starting spot. He’s got plenty of speed to fly around the field and is one of the hardest hitters on the team. Arkansas transfer T.J. Metcalf brings two years of SEC experience to the table and should be in line to start opposite Hillman. Rod Moore should be in consideration here as well, depending on how the coaching staff decides to use him.

Mason Curtis was another player last season who proved to be intriguing. His trump card is his size, which is evident at 6-foot-5. That, combined with his athleticism, will get him on the field in some capacity, even if it’s not as a starter. Jaden Mangham should be poised for a bigger role as well. He played sparingly in 2024 but earned All-Big Ten honorable mentions at Michigan State in 2023.

Incoming freshman Jordan Young will be on campus this spring as well, and he could be a candidate to develop at safety or at nickel.

For a more in-depth look at the safeties, read our spring preview.