Michigan defensive line still striving for more, working to improve defense as a whole

Among all FBS programs, the No. 24 Michigan football team ranks third in rushing defense. The Wolverines have allowed just 458 total rushing yards — corresponding to 2.86 yards per carry — through six games. Thus far, they’ve maintained the high level set by last year’s staunch defensive front. 

In stark contrast, Michigan also ranks 63rd in passing defense. Giving up 1559 yards through the air, the Wolverines’ secondary has been a point of weakness all season. Their opponents — even the significant underdogs, like Fresno State and Arkansas State — have poked gaping holes in their pass protection.

Collectively, Michigan levels off at 44th in total defense. That marks a significant downturn after finishing last season as the top-ranked unit. 

So, where do the Wolverines go from here? At face value, most of their defensive struggles can be attributed to their sputtering secondary. The obvious remedy would be improvement from defensive backs, and Michigan is certainly working toward that. But defensive line coach Lou Esposito believes his top-three unit still has room to grow, too.

“At the end of the day, playing defensive line is so easy, it’s complicated,” Esposito said Wednesday. “Because if you stay low and you throw your hands and you play with violence, you’re going to be successful. But you have to do it over and over and over again. It’s not a secret — low man wins. 

“We talk about vertical and violence all the time. And I think when the guys buy into that, and they do it, they’ll just keep getting better. You could always be better with your pad level. You can always be better with your hands. Everyone’s chasing perfection, right?”

As the Wolverines continue to chase perfection on the defensive line, they might just be able to crack the top two in rushing defense. More importantly, though, they could help revamp the unit as a whole.

Esposito emphasized that no matter what it looks like at face value, Michigan’s defensive shortcomings — and its strengths — are a product of all 11 players on the field. When the Wolverines give up an explosive play, on the ground or through the air, they don’t point fingers at a single player or position group. Rather, Esposito stressed that in those situations, the execution across the board wasn’t good enough.

“I know you can look at things and say, ‘Oh, well, this guy’s giving this up, or this guy’s giving that up, or the ball went through this hole, the ball went through that hole,’ ” Esposito said. “It’s all 11 guys. And if we’re getting a great pass rush, some of those things don’t happen on the back end. So I think it’s hand in hand. It’s not one group or one person. It’s us as a group. And those guys know it, and they take that pretty seriously.”

Interestingly enough, Michigan already boasts three of the most productive pass rushers in the nation. According to Pro Football Focus, senior edge rusher Josaiah Stewart’s 31.3% pass-rush win percentage ranks first among FBS defensive linemen. Fellow senior TJ Guy and junior Derrick Moore are not far behind, ranking third and fifth, respectively.

Regardless, Esposito and his position group are still striving for more. With the 11-man mindset, they’re hoping to shrink the substantial gap in success between the Wolverines’ rushing and total defense.

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