Three weeks into fall camp, Michigan still isn’t handing out a depth chart, but the picture on defense is getting clearer by the day. The Wolverines are sorting through the final rotation battles, and while a few spots are still being monitored, most of the projected starters are starting to separate themselves.
The biggest move in this updated projection is on the edge, where Dominic Nichols has pushed his way into the starting group alongside John Henry Daley. Cameron Brandt is still expected to matter and see plenty of snaps, but Nichols’ momentum has been hard to ignore. Andrew Sprague didn’t exactly bury the lede when talking about him.
"I'd say pass rush, Dom Nichols is, in my opinion, the best pass rusher," Sprague said. "Not too many people talk about him, but he's gonna be one of the best in the country, in my opinion."
Nichols has missed a few days with a minor injury, but the belief is that he’s done enough to earn the job. Michigan is also high on Lugard Edokpayi, Nate Marshall, and the two true freshmen, Carter Meadows and Tariq Boney.
Inside, there’s no mystery. Enow Etta and Trey Piece are locked in at defensive tackle.
Linebacker is shaping up as one of the deepest spots on the roster. Jay Hill said Michigan has five or six linebackers it can trust, and the names that keep coming up are Nathaniel Staehling, Troy Bowles, Chase Taylor, and Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng. Staehling has been especially impressive in camp after sitting out spring ball, and the staff clearly likes what it’s seen from his intelligence and tackling.
He’s worked himself into a starting role, and right now Bowles has the edge to line up next to him. Taylor and NOB should still get plenty of work.
At cornerback, the top four remain unchanged. The only new wrinkle is that second-year player Shamari Earls has taken a step forward and locked down the CB4 spot. Kyle Whittingham and Jay Hill have both pointed out that the real fight is for the fifth through seventh spots, but they feel good about the top four.
Safety is steady as well, with Rod Moore back to full participation and expected to be ready for Week 1. Moore and Chris Bracy are projected to start, but Mason Curtis is the name climbing fastest. Hill said Michigan is treating Curtis like a starter, and that he’s going to play a lot this season.
Jordan Young is also drawing notice as a second-year player. With four safeties in the mix, Michigan appears to have enough depth that the rotation shouldn’t drop off much no matter who’s on the field.
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Michigan's New Era Already Faces A Worry Fans Didn't Want
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Michigan Still Has A Real Shot With Elite Guard Recruit
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For the Wolverines, the appeal is obvious: Cleveland is looking for a program that can help him develop while also giving him a chance to get on the floor early. That combination tends to matter in a crowded national race, especially when a recruit is still evaluating what fit looks like beyond the hype of rankings and offers. Michigan now has a real opportunity to make its case in person, and the official visit could go a long way in showing whether the program can keep pace with the other schools chasing him. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Still Has Two Crucial Battles To Settle Before Week 1
Michigan wrapped up its final fall camp scrimmage and is now pointed toward Week 1 against Western Michigan, but the lineup picture is still not fully set. With the official depth chart not yet released, the staffs camp evaluations have left a few jobs still in play, and the biggest ones appear to be up front and behind the starting quarterback.
The offensive line is still sorting itself out, with left tackle shaping up as one of the more interesting decisions after a close camp battle between Blake Frazier and Andrew Babalola. Backup quarterback is another spot worth watching, and Tommy Carr is currently projected to hold that role, leaving Michigan with just enough uncertainty to keep the final stretch before kickoff meaningful. [Read more 🡒]