Why Josh Uche thinks Michigan’s defense ‘is in great hands’

Why the former Wolverine is confident in the Michigan defense this upcoming season, noting two players that will make the difference.

[jwplayer ujWjtTgU-XNcErKyb]

Michigan’s defense doesn’t have to completely retool in 2020, with six returning starters coming back. But, it will certainly have something of a new look.

Gone are players such as Josh Uche, Lavert Hill, Michael Dwumfour, Jordan Glasgow, Khaleke Hudson and Josh Metellus. But there’s a lot of returning experience, from Cam McGrone, Ambry Thomas, Carlo Kemp and more.

But, as Uche tells it at the NFL Scouting Combine, a lot of the defensive success this upcoming season under Don Brown’s tutelage starts up front, and it starts with pressure from the returning defensive ends.

“I feel like there’s gonna be some new changes in terms of how (they) run things and stuff like that,” Uche said. “You got Kwity Paye and you got Aidan Hutchinson. You know, they call themselves ‘salt and pepper!’

“You’re in great hands. You got Cam McGrone, you got Brad Hawkins there at safety. You got Ambry Thomas at corner. You guys got a lot of guys coming back. Vince Gray. You guys are in great hands. The defense is in great hands.”

Hutchinson had to come back for another year, regardless, but Paye had a decision to make. It didn’t take long for him to decide that he was returning for another year, however.

But with Hutchinson in particular, Uche thinks that, no matter when he decided to come out for the NFL Draft, whether it be this upcoming year or the next, he’ll have cemented himself as one of the best to ever do it.

He had high praise for both, but singled out Hutchinson’s maturity and talent as a big factor.

“They just matured a lot — especially Aidan,” Uche said. “With someone, especially as young as he is, he’s just mature. He doesn’t act his age, he acts a lot older, like he’s been there before. But I’m not saying — he still has some growing to do. And he’s just one helluva player, man. I can’t — I think he’s gonna be a first-round pick when it’s all said and done. He’s one hell of a player.”

[lawrence-related id=21798,21790,21778]

Watch the segment below: