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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The past several years, since Jim Harbaugh took over the team in the 2015 season, fans have gotten used to seeing a strong rotation up front, particularly on the defensive line.
The line will look different these days, with the defensive ends potentially moving back in the formation, now known as outside linebackers. With a 3-4 base, that means that we’ll now see three defensive tackles up front compared to having two tackles and two edge rushers as we have in recent years.
So what will the rotation look like? Will the Wolverines consistently cycle players in and out like we used to see Don Brown do? It all depends on how good the depth is once games are played, defensive line coach Shaun Nua says.
“I think we could play all of them but whatever the standard is for us necessary to win the game, that’s what the rotation is gonna be based off of,” Nua said. “If the ones is the only group living up to the standard that is necessary – that’s who’s gonna be playing. If the twos go out there and stink it up, the ones are gonna be out there the whole time. The goal is to always have a good rotation and at the same time keeping the standard that’s necessary for us to win.”
We have a pretty good beat on who the starters likely are at defensive tackle, but is there any new name to look out for this year? Last year, we saw Julius Welschof and Jess Speight get a lot of time, but Nua says there’s a new name to be aware of.
“Look out for Kris Jenkins,” Nua said. “I think Kris Jenkins has a great opportunity to reveal his talent. We’re all excited to see how that goes. Kris Jenkins is one of the young guys, players that’s doing a good job coming along.”
Jenkins is entering his second year and he’s the son of Ypsilanti native former second-round pick out of Maryland, Kris Jenkins, who played ten seasons in the NFL and was a four-time pro-bowler.
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Other players
Nua touched on — and we really mean touched on — a few other non-starters in his Wednesday afternoon session with the media.
Asked what we’ll see from the aforementioned Welschof, Nua said:
“We’ll find out Saturday, really. But they’re all – no, no – they’re all eager to put out what their talents have and their skillset. And Saturday will be a great day to reveal that.”
Additionally, the Wolverines added some bulk in the middle in Oregon State transfer Jordan Whittley. Though Nua didn’t say much, he said that the job he’s done conditioning-wise has put him in a position to see the field. But it’s anybody’s guess as to when that might be.
“He’s done a great job changing his body. You’ll see Saturday. Or the next Saturday. Whenever you see Whittley!”
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