The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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92 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW putting that seed in his mind, when he goes back and he's going through his progres- sions, and all of a sudden he's getting hit in the earhole — that makes life tough. "Rhythm is a beautiful thing, but denying rhythm is important as well." Q: Before taking the job, did you look at what Michigan had coming back or did you trust that Harbaugh was going to deliver the talent you needed? BROWN: "I had an idea. We tweaked a couple of things. In essence, it's going back to a true four-down front. [Defensive line coach] Greg Mattison does a great job with the front. He felt that transition back to a four-down front was going to be an easy one. That part of it was easy. "We've had five linebackers walk out the door, so that part of it is a little bit more difficult, in not having a really true, hybrid, Sam-type that I'm looking for. We've had to scramble on that in the recruiting a little bit. "We've got a couple of great candidates there [including redshirt sophomore Jabrill Peppers]." Q: What about playing younger players? BROWN: "We told everyone on the recruit- ing trail, 'Don't come in here with the thought of taking a redshirt.' We feel at all three levels, we've got guys who can come in and [play]." Plenty of standouts have emerged on a defensive roster seeing a host of returning play- ers. The Wolverines are expected to field one of the better defenses in the nation, replete with a number of All-Big Ten caliber players and returning All-Americans. These five are ready for even bigger and better accomplishments. 1. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Jabrill Peppers — Peppers can do all sorts of damage as new defensive coordinator Don Brown's X-Factor at outside linebacker. He will have plenty of opportunity to come flying off the edge at the quarterback, but he'll do far more. The 2015 second-team All-American can cover receivers and tight ends, or swap spots at the last minute with a safety or cornerback, depending on the situation. In short, he's Michigan's not-so-secret weapon that can still surprise in a multi-option scheme. 2. Senior cornerback Jourdan Lewis — This first-team All-American from 2015 should come flying out of the gate in his final season. He's de - fended the toughest receivers in the Big Ten man to man and held his own. Now it's about creating even more turnovers and locking down on receivers enough to allow pass rushers a shot at the quarterback. Brown's aggressive scheme requires strong cor - ners, and Lewis will be one of the nation's best. 3. Fifth-year senior defensive line- man Chris Wormley — Wormley asserted himself in a big way last year and should only get bet- ter in his final campaign wearing the winged helmet. The third-team All-Big Ten performer is listed as a defensive end, but he's versatile enough to move inside if necessary, and that gives the Wolverines needed flexibility, depending on the development of younger players. Wormley also became a forceful personality on the Michigan roster, one likely to get consideration, like Lewis, as a pos - sible captain. 4. Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow — Many thought the Wolverines were in trouble in the middle of the defensive line when second-year performer Bryan Mone went down with a broken leg in fall camp. They didn't realize how strongly former walk- on Glasgow would assert himself, becoming a force in the middle of the Michigan defensive front. In fact, the really noticeable difference occurred when Glasgow (6-4, 300) went out with a torn pectoral muscle late in the year. He missed spring ball, but should be good to go as a powerful plug to the drain — and more. 5. Senior cornerback Channing Stribling — There were times this spring when Stribling looked like Michigan's best cornerback, and that's saying a lot when you've got an All-American on the other side. Because Lewis will be well identified as someone not to be picked on, Stribling could get a lot of action, which can lead to healthy intercep - tion and pass breakup totals. He showed big strides in making plays on the football in the spring, and with Brown's pressure-packed defense, he will again see many chances to capitalize. — John Borton Senior cornerback Jourdan Lewis will lead a secondary that Athlon tabbed as the best in the Big Ten and fourth nationally. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Brown's defense must replace all three starting linebackers from last season, but the veteran coach has fortified his troops by lining up Jabrill Peppers at the strongside position. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN Top Five Players On Michigan's Defense