ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football’s defense has been phenomenal to start the year, leading the country in scoring defense and coming in at No. 8 in pass defense.
But a little secret? We ain’t seen nothing yet.
The Wolverines have fielded the bulk of its starting defense through the first three games, but three major players have been notably absent through most: safeties Rod Moore and Makari Paige, and cornerback Will Johnson.
Paige got involved a little in Week 1 and played 41 snaps in Week 3 — much needed given Zeke Berry’s injury sustained in Week 2. When he wasn’t out there, senior Quinten Johnson got some run and even came down with an interception. Will Johnson played eight snaps in Week 2, but none in Weeks 1 or 3. Moore has yet to make his season debut.
Yet, the unit has been solid, allowing 141.3 yards per game through the air — much of which have come in garbage time.
Now that Big Ten play begins in earnest on Saturday, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is interested to see his whole first-team defense out on the field, as its becoming more and more likely that the band will be getting back together soon as the aforementioned players are getting closer to full health.
“I think we’re really, really close to having a full tilt back there,” Minter said. “So, we’ll leave it at that. It’d be hopefully fun to see those guys back out there.”
Still, not having those players has been a boon to the defense. Younger players have gotten key experience, and as head coach Jim Harbaugh has often said, ‘You get better at football by playing football.’ By withholding the injured players, other players have now become pivotal depth pieces, players who can be counted upon throughout the season.
Minter is enthusiastic about how crucial its been to see players in the secondary who weren’t expected to play big roles before the season get some time in the spotlight before the aforementioned trio reclaims their thrones as the starters.
“I really just think all those guys that haven’t played for us before, when you look at Josh Wallace, Keshaun Harris, Jyaire Hill, DJ Waller, Keon Sabb at safety,” Minter said. “Quinten Johnson probably even get more run than he’s had in the past. When you think about over the course of the year over, hopefully, 12, 13, 14, 15-game season, you’re going to need depth, things come up.
“And so I’ve been really, just really pleased with how those guys have played, how they’ve learned to prepare, which I think is just as big of a piece is that is they’ve learned our process and game planning our process and studying opponents. And so now they have some more confidence because they’ve played in games. And, I expect all those guys to still have roles for us, even when we get healthy.”