Michigan Football: Rashan Gary is Wolverines’ 2017 defensive MVP
By Jesse Smith
Michigan football made their hay on the defensive side of the ball, led by defensive tackle and 2017 defensive MVP Rashan Gary.
Michigan finished the regular season 8-4 overall and 5-4 in the Big Ten which landed them fourth in the East division. They only lost to the big dogs of the conference this season, but that’s still disappointing for a program with a lot of preseason expectations.
Michigan has one of the best defenses in the nation. Honestly their offense didn’t give them enough help in the big games. That’s the main reason they have four losses this season.
This unit has multiple players would could be named the Defensive MVP. They allowed 18.3 points per game and only allowed 268.6 yards per game. This unit has the likes of Devin Bush, Mike McCray, Chase Winovich and Maurice Hurst just to name a few that really could be considered for the Defensive MVP, but my choice is defensive lineman Rashan Gary.
In 2017 Gary’s registered 62 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, five sacks, seven quarterback hurries and one forced fumble.
Gary is a sophomore from Plainfield, New Jersey and I’m just going to tell Michigan fans to enjoy in 2018 because he is gone after that. The NFL is calling this young man’s name. He disrupts the game in every fashion I’ve seen countless times when Gary beats his lineman so bad that he changes the direction of the play. More often that not it turns into a huge loss.
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He has a unique skill of size, speed and strength, while he isn’t the biggest guy on the field every snap he has a great blend of all the skill sets you need to be successful. He reminds me of a taller Warren Sapp I’m not saying he will be a Hall of Famer, but he reminds of the legend when I watch him play. Sorry Devin Bush fans this is my choice, but I can understand if I receive some slight backlash.