The Wolverine

2018 Michigan Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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THE WOLVERINE 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 97 DEFENSIVE LINE visual evidence in fall camp, remaining consistent and carrying his high level of play into games. He certainly won't be called upon to carry the load alone up the middle. Mone has always exuded considerable potential and his value as a run stopper remains, ac- cording to Brown. "Bryan Mone is playing very well," Brown said. "I don't know what his weight is, but it's so much better distributed throughout his body. He's a very strong, very physical guy. "Let's make no mistake about it. When he's in there, he's in there to do one thing — knock back whoever he's against and play the run. When it's time to do the other things, we'll figure it out and get somebody else in for him." Mone recorded a tackle for loss among 10 stops in 13 games a year ago, while Solomon — who can play either tackle position — posted 18 stops with a pair of tackles for loss in 13 games. "Aubrey is going to be a very talented player," Mattison said. "I already consider him being one of the guys." Marshall has been striving to become one over the course of his career. He se- cured five tackles and a fumble recovery in 11 games last season, but his coaches and teammates indicate his final season in a Michigan uniform will be his best. "Lawrence Marshall is doing great," Mattison said. "Lawrence Marshall is go- ing to have a really good year. Starting with the last couple of games and going through the bowl game, he really started to come on. He's also shown to be a leader by his performance. "He's not a real talkative guy, but when you sit and watch it, they all know what we critique and don't critique, they look at Lawrence and they go, 'Boy, that's a good play.'" Jeter figured to become a breakthrough contributor as a freshman in 2017, like Sol- omon, but injury intervened. He's now built up to the point of readiness for a shot at the rotation, Mattison noted. "Donovan Jeter has showed some signs," the veteran coach said. "He's up to 300- some pounds. He's strong as can be. Those kids, they're all starting to come on." When asked if Jeter might balk at getting assigned to tackle, after playing defensive end previously, the veteran defensive line coach quickly waved off the question. "No, no, no, no, no way," he said. "If you saw him right now, you'd say there's no way he's playing end. My man looks like this [spreading his hands wide]. Uh-uh. I didn't have to say a word." Paye has stepped into the role as Gary's FYI Michigan's defensive line spearheaded a unit that finished No. 18 in the nation in defending the run last season. The Wolverines surrendered an average of 120.9 yards per game on the ground, compared to No. 1 Alabama's 94.7. U-M wound up fifth in the Big Ten. The Wolverines tied for No. 7 in the nation in sacks in 2017, securing an average of 3.23 per game. Miami (Fla.) led the nation, averaging 3.38. The D-line accounted for 20.5 of the sacks, while the line- backers contributed 20 and the secondary 1.5. The defensive front is U-M's only position group with two former Rivals.com five-star recruits (junior end Rashan Gary and sophomore tackle Aubrey Solomon), boasts the most former top-100 recruits, with three — Gary, No. 1; Solomon, No. 31; and redshirt freshman end Luiji Vilain, No. 71 — and is tied with defensive back for the most former four- and five-star prospects, with eight. The other for- mer four-star preps include redshirt sophomore end Ron Johnson, redshirt freshman tackle Donovan Jeter, fifth-year senior end Chase Winovich, junior end Carlo Kemp and rookie end Aidan Hutchinson. The U-M defensive line has produced at least one NFL Draft pick in each of the last four years. During that span, seven front-line defenders have been selected — and that streak is sure to continue with possible first- rounders Gary and Winovich. No other U-M position group has more than four draftees during that time period. Junior end Rashan Gary checked in at No. 3 on ESPN expert Mel Kiper Jr.'s too-early big board of the top prospects for the 2019 NFL Draft, which was released May 10. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL YEAR-BY-YEAR RUSH- ING YARDS ALLOWED Rushing Yds Rushing Yds Yards Year Allowed Per Game Per Carry 2017 1,572 120.9 3.5 2016 1,550 119.2 3.2 2015 1,589 122.2 3.6 2014 1,412 117.7 3.2 2013 1,822 140.2 3.8 2012 1,957 150.5 3.8 2011 1,712 131.7 4.0 2010 2,456 188.9 4.4 2009 2,063 171.9 4.4 2008 1,643 136.9 3.6

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