Michigan Team 137 Preview: Defensive Line

By Kevin Schroeder
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Updated: August 4, 2016

Back from last year (click = big)

Projected starters: Rashan Gary (SDE/Anchor), Chris Wormley (3T), Ryan Glasgow (NT), Taco Charlton (WDE/End)

Could make an impact: Bryan Mone (NT), Maurice Hurst (3T), Matt Godin (SDE/DT), Chase Winovich (WDE), Lawrence Marshall (SDE/WDE), Carlo Kemp (WDE)

Watch out for next year: Kemp, Josh Uche (WDE), Shelton Johnson (SDE), Ron Johnson (WDE), Reuben Jones (WDE), Michael Dwumfour (NT)

Freshman freak of nature Rashan Gary was the best high school player I’ve ever seen a year ago. At one point, 247 had him rated 101/100, an honor bestowed on a very select few. Even then, he felt underrated, doubly so when he fell back to 100. I have no idea why he was dropped. “Excellent” doesn’t even begin to describe his film and he looked great at the camps and all-star games. The only thing resembling a knock I have on him is that his technique could use some polishing. After that, his biggest weakness is that there’s only one of him. I’m not going to hold “not cloning himself” against a guy. But anyway, back to the technique part – he should be more than good enough to make many a tight end consider switching to badminton. As good as he is, he’ll need to adjust to the college game, but considering the fact that he runs a 4.74 40 at around 290 pounds (have fun with that opposing linemen and QBs), he should be at least pretty good this year. Next year, “Ndamukong Suh minus filthy plays” seems doable.

Redshirt senior Chris Wormley spent last season obliterating tight ends. This year, he moves inside. Linemen won’t be quite as easy to send every which way, but Wormley should be quite good at 3T nonetheless. Expect some more great play from Wormley before being picked on either day one or two in the NFL Draft. Michigan could have kept him at SDE, but considering that Wormley’s strength is more in stopping the run as opposed to rushing the passer and Michigan brought in a 290-pound man who runs a 4.74 40 with great pass rush skills and Michigan just hired a coordinator for whom getting to the QB is a top priority, going with this lineup makes sense. In addition, this should open up some more snaps at SDE for redshirt senior Matt Godin who was far more effective on the outside than the inside. It is not a coincidence that Godin’s grades fall off a cliff starting with the Rutgers game; it was then that Ryan Glasgow went down and Godin was forced inside. On the end, his play has ranged from “solid” to “quite good.”

Redshirt senior Ryan Glasgow was outstanding a year ago prior to going down in the Rutgers game. His value to the team really can’t be understated, regardless of how many all-conference teams and watch lists and top whatever lists he’s left off of. After he went down last year, and since the team was already missing Bryan Mone (more on him in a minute), the ability to stop the run fell off a cliff nearly costing Michigan the Indiana game. Expect another great season from Glasgow before he goes to join older brother Graham in the NFL.

Senior Taco Charlton has become such a fine player that I’ve stopped shaking my fist at Brady Hoke for burning his redshirt because, in all likelihood, he would have been outta here after this season anyway. Last year, the light seemed to come on for Charlton and he turned into what Michigan fans had hoped he’d become. After some very fine play a year ago, he’s got the eye of some NFL guys. Listed at 285 pounds on the team’s website, he’s got the size to play SDE, but Michigan has several other Dudes to deploy there and Charlton’s a good enough pass rusher to play WDE, so this is probably the best lineup.

Redshirt junior Maurice Hurst was very good at 3T a year ago. Mone’s injury forced him over to NT a bit and Glasgow’s injury forced him over a bit more. He was fine at nose, but his strength is at 3T. If Glasgow and Mone remain healthy all year and Hurst can play nearly exclusively 3T, he should really shine. Most teams would be lucky to have a guy as good as him as their starter. Michigan has him as a backup. So that’s pretty cool. The NFL could beckon after this year.

The whole “other teams would be lucky to have him as a starter” thing goes double for redshirt sophomore Bryan Mone, for whom the hype train is running full speed. Mone was poised for a big season a year ago before getting hurt in camp. If he stays healthy, the sky’s the limit.

Redshirt sophomore Chase Winovich is back on defense and appears set to take on a more traditional WDE role. He should be at least fine spelling Charlton.

Redshirt sophomore Lawrence Marshall entered last season with a ton of hype behind him and then very little happened. I’ve only got grades for him for three games, none of which indicate that he made any sort of real impact. Last year, he was expected to be a quick edge rusher after displaying some real talent for the position in the spring game. This year, he’s up to 250, so he’s big enough to play SDE. If he sees the field with any sort of regularity, I’ll be surprised if a good hunk of that is not at WDE. Again, plenty of bona fide Dudes who can play SDE. At WDE, after Charlton, we’re banking on a guy who was at TE last year. I’d rather keep expectations low for Marshall and just be pleasantly surprised if he surpasses them.

Freshman Carlo Kemp could see some time at WDE if Winovich and Marshall don’t pan out. He’s an early enrollee, so he should be more ready than your average true freshman, but still, I’d rather redshirt him. He’s got a pretty high ceiling, but needs some polishing.

After redshirting this year to add size, freshman Josh Uche could make some noise in 2017. I called him a DE, because right now, it looks like Michigan’s going to be in a 4-3 under Don Brown, though Uche has said Brown’s told him he’s going to be an OLB at Michigan, so a move to a 3-4 could be in the cards for the future. A speedy edge rusher, Uche possesses plenty of physical talent, but his technique needs some work.

Redshirt freshman Shelton Johnson still needs to add size before potentially making an impact at SDE next year.

Freshman Ron Johnson will redshirt this year to add size and strength. If he can do so while retaining his athleticism, he could be an exciting prospect at WDE.

Redshirt freshman Reuben Jones was tried out at MIKE and is now back at DE. I would read this more as “LB is thin, DE is not.” Jones could see some snaps at WDE this year, but he’s probably behind a few guys. Check back next year.

Freshman NT Michael Dwumfour will redshirt this year. He’s got decent potential, but will likely take a couple years to be ready to play at the college level.

Twitter: @KSchroeder_312

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com