Michigan football coach Kyle Whittingham has been consistently impressed by his defensive line.
In the spring, Whittingham proclaimed his defensive front to be the Wolverines’ strongest position group. And when asked five days before kickoff if the defensive line remained its strongest unit, Whittingham answered in the affirmative.
“We still feel that way,” Whittingham said Monday.
Whittingham has cited both exterior and interior defensive linemen as camp standouts, ranging from first-year to fifth-year guys. He sees a deep group as well, stating that No. 15 Michigan is “seven or eight” deep off the edge and “five deep” at defensive tackle. That should enable the Wolverines to frequently rotate and keep guys fresh, making it easier to consistently put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The most proven producer in that group is senior defensive end John Henry Daley. Last year at Utah, Henry Daley recorded 11.5 sacks in 11 games before tearing his achilles.
However, Henry Daley was on a pitch count earlier in training camp after returning from injury. But expectations are still high. ESPN named Henry Daley a second-team preseason All-American. And per Whittingham’s account, Henry Daley is moving full speed ahead.
“(He) hasn’t lost a thing,” Whittingham said. “He’s probably more explosive and quicker than he’s ever been.”
And Henry Daley finally has a running mate. A singular name didn’t emerge throughout most of spring practice and fall camp, but that’s since changed. At this point, the renowned Henry Daley has competition for being Michigan’s best pass rusher.
Sophomore defensive end Nate Marshall was a top-100 recruit but played sparingly last season, recording six total tackles in 11 games. And it wasn’t the prettiest spring for Marshall either.
“Marshall … had some struggles in the spring, some things that I wasn’t real pleased with off the field,” Whittingham said. “… The first few months were kind of rocky with Nate.”
But Marshall has since turned a corner. Per Whittingham’s accounts, he’s become more mentally mature, and that’s translated to his play. At a twitchy 6-foot-3 and 248 pounds, Marshall’s step forward is a positive development for the Wolverines’ defensive line. And he and Henry Daley could become a nightmare for opposing offensive lines.
“He’s one of the best pass rushers on the team, if not the best pure pass rusher,” Whittingham said. “He’s got a real talent for bending the edge and getting his hips turned and getting to the QB.”
It’s not just the Henry Daley and Marshall show, however. Junior defensive end Dom Nichols and senior defensive end Cam Brandt recorded one-and-a-half and five-and-a-half tackles for loss each last year, respectively. And freshmen defensive ends Carter Meadows and Tariq Boney have drawn praise throughout training camp, with Meadows coming in as the 11th-ranked player in his class according to 247 Sports.
The inside of Michigan’s defensive line has impressed as well. Senior defensive tackles Trey Pierce, Enow Etta and Jonah Lea’ea have drawn praise throughout training camp. Pierce in particular has turned heads and was recently named one of the Wolverines’ four captains.
A strong pass rush can be a calling card for any defense. And if Whittingham is correct, Michigan’s defense will get after opposing quarterbacks all year long.
