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Know Your 2018 Penn State Football Enemy: Michigan Wolverines

By Corey Hunter

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: Defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow #96 of the Michigan Wolverines and teammates sing the school's fight song in the student section after defeating the UCF Knights 51-14 after a college football game at Michigan Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: Defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow #96 of the Michigan Wolverines and teammates sing the school's fight song in the student section after defeating the UCF Knights 51-14 after a college football game at Michigan Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 1: Running back Ty’Son Williams #27 of the South Carolina Gamecocks is stopped by defensive back Khaleke Hudson #7 of the Michigan Wolverines and defensive lineman Bryan Mone #90 during the first quarter of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game on January 1, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 1: Running back Ty’Son Williams #27 of the South Carolina Gamecocks is stopped by defensive back Khaleke Hudson #7 of the Michigan Wolverines and defensive lineman Bryan Mone #90 during the first quarter of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game on January 1, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Defense

Defensive coordinator Don Brown returns for his third season at Michigan and also returns nine defensive starters from a unit that was second in the Big Ten and third nationally in total defense (271.0 ypg).  As was the case in 2017, the defensive side of the ball remains the strength of the Wolverines.

Michigan employs a 4-3 defensive scheme and the Wolverine defensive ends should once again be as good as any in the Big Ten.  Bookending the defensive line are two of the best defensive ends in the country.  Chase Winovich, a 2017 First Team All-Big Ten selection, led the defensive line with 77 tackles, eight sacks, and 10 tackles-for-loss.  Opposite of Winovich was another first team All-Big Ten selection, Rashan Gary.  The Plainfield, NJ native had a team high seven quarterback hurries and registering 67 tackles and six sacks.  The middle will be occupied by two young defensive tackles, including Sophomore Aubrey Solomon and former PSU commit Michael Dwumfour.  Fifth-year senior Brian Mone should also be in the mix for game action this season.

The linebacking unit returns two of the teams top-3 tacklers from 2017 squad in middle linebacker Devin Bush (100 tackles) and Khaleke Hudson (82 tackles).  Both players also combined for 13 sacks, 14 tackles-for-loss and three interceptions.

Michigan must replace their second leading tackler from a year ago in WLB Mike McCray.  It appears Sophomores Devin Gil and Josh Ross are battling out to see who will be the starter.

Just like up front, Michigan has an extremely talented returning secondary.  The entire unit, which allowed an FBS low 150 passing yards per game, returns including shutdown cornerbacks Lavert Hill and David Long.  Both players combined for 13 pass breakups and four interceptions.  There may not be a better cornerback duo in the country!

Senior Tyree Kinnel and junior Josh Metellus will man the safety positions.  Utah graduate transfer Casey Hughes will also be pushing for playing time this season.

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