Michigan’s defensive line is heading into Saturday with more than one challenge on its plate, and Lewis Powell sounds eager to see how his group handles it.
The Wolverines’ defensive ends coach said the biggest surprise of the week has been John Henry Daley’s return. After tearing his Achilles tendon, Daley was back in game action in Michigan’s season opener just eight months later, and he played more snaps than the staff expected.
“It was crazy. We didn’t think he’d be where he’s at right now,” Powell said. “He’s 100% and well ahead of his return time.”
Powell said Michigan’s athletic training staff told him 15 months was the quickest return they had seen from an Achilles injury. Daley got back in about eight months, and while the Wolverines monitored his workload through camp, he still found a way to make a real impact in the opener.
“I didn’t think he was going to take as many reps as he took this past week, but it was good to see him out there,” Powell said.
Daley’s presence matters beyond the snap count, too. Powell said he is one of the leaders in the defensive line room and has kept trending in the right direction.
“He continues to look better every single day,” Powell said. “Love having him out there.”
Powell also came away encouraged by the rest of the group, especially defensive end Dominic Nichols. He described Nichols as a rare blend of size, speed and power.
“I’m not sure if I’ve ever coached somebody like him,” Powell said.
Nichols graded among Michigan’s highest defenders in the opener and led the unit in production, according to Powell. He was on the field for 49 snaps, which Powell admitted was more than the staff wanted in the first game, but it also underscored how much the Wolverines leaned on him.
“He had a good day,” Powell said. “Obviously, a lot to work on moving forward, but I like his progress and how far he’s come since we’ve been here.”
Against Oklahoma, Michigan expects to spread the work around more. Cameron Brandt and Nate Marshall are among the players projected to get bigger roles, and Powell said the Wolverines could rotate five or six defensive ends if more of the group gets back to full health.
Freshmen Carter Meadows and Tariq Boney have also made an impression. Powell said both arrived with a mindset that went beyond simply trying to learn on the job.
“They came in not thinking that, hey, we’re just your average freshman,” Powell said. “They came in thinking that we’re going to come in and take somebody’s playing time or position.”
The opponent waiting Saturday is no soft landing. Powell called Oklahoma’s offense one of the best Michigan will see all season, and quarterback John Mateer is at the center of everything the Sooners do.
Powell said Mateer can damage a defense as both a passer and a runner, and his size makes him tough to finish off once defenders get close.
“He’s a focal point of their offense,” Powell said.
The praise didn’t stop there. Powell also pointed to Oklahoma’s running backs, wide receivers and tight ends, calling the group versatile and capable of doing plenty of different things. Up front, he sees an offensive line that stacks up with the best in the country, with experience across the unit and a left tackle he singled out as one of the nation’s top players at the position.
“They’re athletic, they’re big, and I think our guys are fired up for the challenge,” Powell said.
For Michigan’s pass rush, the emphasis this week has also been on finishing plays. Powell said the Wolverines missed chances to force turnovers in the opener, especially when they got to the quarterback.
“There was a couple times that we should have swiped at the ball on our sacks this past weekend,” Powell said.
That work has continued in practice, alongside Nichols’ evolution into a more complete defender. Powell said Nichols has added weight and strength and improved his technique when it comes to setting the edge.
“He understands the importance of stopping the run,” Powell said.
Marshall, meanwhile, is making it clear he belongs in the conversation for playing time. Powell called him a “really talented natural athlete” and said the sophomore should be in line for significant snaps this season.
“He’s a stud,” Powell said. “He’s for sure a matchup that a lot of offensive tackles don’t want to see.”
Michigan’s defense may need that depth if the offense again has trouble moving the ball consistently, as it did in the season opener. Powell said the unit is willing to shoulder that load.
“We go into every week thinking that we’re going to win the game on defense,” Powell said. “We like the challenge.”
Even after the uneven start, Powell said the group has moved on quickly and is locked in on getting better. With Michigan and Oklahoma bringing two of college football’s most tradition-rich programs together on Saturday, Powell said he’s looking forward to it.
“It’s going to be fun,” Powell said.
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