Michigan football roster reset: Why the defense has high hopes despite big-time losses

ANN ARBOR, Mich.

The return of safety Rod Moore was the offseason boost Michigan needed for a defense that has to replace several of its most impactful players.

Moore, a team captain who made the game-clinching interception against Ohio State in 2023, missed all of the 2024 season after tearing his ACL in the spring.

He announced last month that hell return for a fifth year, which should ease the transition as Michigan adjusts to life without Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant and Will Johnson.

Advertisement Michigan dipped into the transfer portal to build its defensive roster, adding help at defensive tackle (Damon Payne and Tre Williams), linebacker (Troy Bowles) and defensive back (TJ Metcalf, Tevis Metcalf, Caleb Anderson).

While there are questions to answer on offense , the Wolverines should have another talented defense in Year 2 under Wink Martindale, who appears locked in after interviewing for a pair of NFL coordinator jobs.

Heres an early projection of Michigans roster on defense and special teams.

Edge players (12) Derrick Moore has been a consistent edge-setter and pass rusher the past three seasons, but his stats have been overshadowed by the production of players like Graham, Grant and Josaiah Stewart.

If Moores two-sack performance in the ReliaQuest Bowl was any indication, he could be in for a big senior season now that the spotlight has shifted his way.

The return of TJ Guy gives Michigan another explosive pass rusher to pair with Moore, and Cameron Brandt and Dominic Nichols will benefit from the snaps they earned in 2024.

Beyond that, its a matter of coaching up the young guys, including Nate Marshall, a top-50 prospect in the Class of 2025.

Defensive linemen (13) Rayshaun Benny didnt have the draft hype of Graham or Grant, but he shows up a lot in the defensive highlights from Michigans wins against Ohio State and Alabama.

Getting him back for a fifth year gives Michigan a building block on its defensive line.

Payne (Alabama) and Williams (Clemson), role players at their previous schools, should find spots on the two-deep, either as starters or rotational players.

Etta, the top prospect in Michigans 2023 recruiting class, got some run in the ReliaQuest Bowl and should be ready for a bigger role.

Linebackers (10) After a rocky start, Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham found their groove along with the rest of Michigans defense late in the season.

They should be even better with a second year in Martindales scheme.

Adding Bowles, a transfer from Georgia and the son of Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles, gives Michigan the depth to experiment with Barham on the edge.

Cole Sullivan and Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng are gifted athletes from the past two recruiting classes who could push for playing time.

Advertisement Cornerbacks (9) The past two years, Michigan added a cornerback in the summer who went on to play a significant role.

Josh Wallace was a starter on Michigans national championship team, and Aamir Hall had an interception against Ohio State, plus nine tackles and a forced fumble against Alabama.

Will there be a post-spring addition this year? If not, Michigan will be relying on Zeke Berry and Jyaire Hill while trying to develop depth with young players like JoZiah Edmond and Shamari Earls, one of the top prospects in Michigans 2025 recruiting class.

Michigan added two cornerback transfers in the winter: Tevis Metcalf from Arkansas and Caleb Anderson, who played for DBs coach LaMar Morgan at Louisiana.

Safeties (9) Assuming he returns to his pre-injury form, Rod Moore will be one of the top safeties in college football.

Adding TJ Metcalf, a safety who started 11 games last year at Arkansas, should offset the departures of Makari Paige, Wesley Walker and Quinten Johnson.

Brandyn Hillman established himself as one of Michigans hardest hitters in a limited role last season, and Mason Curtis provides rare versatility at 6-5.

Jaden Mangham disappeared last season after transferring from Michigan State, but hes a proven player who could emerge as a contributor.

Special teams (3) Once Michigan hits the 40-yard line, Dominic Zvada is almost automatic.

Zvada was 7-for-7 on field goals of 50-plus last season and should be one of the top contenders for the Lou Groza Award.

With Tommy Doman transferring to Florida, Hudson Hollenbeck punted in the ReliaQuest Bowl and appears to have the inside track for a roster spot.

Trent Middleton, a transfer from UCLA, has big shoes to fill in replacing William Wagner, who achieved the long snappers dream of anonymity thanks to his consistency.

(Top photo of Rod Moore: Rick Osentoski / Imagn Images).

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