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Michigan Football: 2017 season preview, predictions

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 22: Chris Evans #12 of the Michigan Wolverines looks for running room while playing the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 22, 2016 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 41-8. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 22: Chris Evans #12 of the Michigan Wolverines looks for running room while playing the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 22, 2016 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 41-8. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Defense

Michigan is replacing 10 starters on the defensive side of the ball for 2017 and that’s a major reason for concern in Ann Arbor.

Senior outside linebacker Mike McCray is the only returning starter and he’s a good one. He finished second on the team in tackles last season with 73 as well tackles for loss, with 13.5. He added 4.5 sacks, two interceptions and six pass breakups to his impressive line. He will be joined by talented sophomores Devin Bush Jr., at middle linebacker, and Khaleke Hudson.

The linebackers will be relatively young, but what about the defensive line? Rashan Gary could be one of the nation’s top defensive ends as a sophomore. The former blue-chipper from New Jersey had 23 tackles, five for loss and 0.5 sacks last season, but expect him to break out. Junior Chase Winovich will likely get the nod at the other end spot. He had 32 tackles, 8.5 for loss and five sacks in 2016.

At the tackle spots, junior Bryan Mone and senior Maurice Hurst take over. The latter is a potential All-Big Ten candidate after putting up 33 tackles, 11.5 for loss and five sacks in 2016.

Don’t sleep on the young guys in the rotation, either. Donovan Jeter, Michael Dwumfour, Aubrey Solomon, Carlo Kemp and James Hudson can all contribute early and often.

Completely replacing 2016’s No. 1 secondary

How do you adequately replace a secondary that ranked No. 1 against the pass in all of college football a season ago? Easy answer: it’s not easy.

Michigan’s biggest worry has to be on the defensive side of the ball, namely the defensive backfield. Replacing four starters is never easy, especially when each had such a lasting impact on the program and engineered a dominant secondary for years.

Gone is Jourdan Lewis as well as Delano Hill, Channing Stribling and Jabrill Peppers, who was sort of a linebacker hybrid. Who is back to replace those stars?

Lavert Hill is a former blue-chip cornerback recruit from Detroit who is expected to win a starting job and fellow sophomore David Long looks to be the favorite on the other side. Josh Metellus, also a sophomore, will anchor the strong safety spot and junior Tyree Kinnel will take over free safety. The talent is there, as is the young depth.

Growing pains will happen with this young, inexperienced unit, but the potential to be great is evident.

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