- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 427,982
- Reaction score
- 44
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- For the longest time, Michigan football had elite edge rushers but couldn't seem to find the same level of play from the interior. But then, players like Mazi Smith, Kris Jenkins, Mason Graham, and Kenneth Grant came along, and the tenor of the defensive line changed.
Now, the Wolverines are looking to reload with Graham and Grant off to the NFL, and though Rayshaun Benny is thought to be of the same caliber of player, will there be others who step up for the maize and blue?
One player expected to take a big step forward is junior Enow Etta. Part of what's expected to be a deep rotation, perhaps six players deep, Etta says it isn't just he, Benny, the two incoming transfers, Trey Pierce, and Ike Iwunnah who could make an impact, but there are other younger players who could be in the mix once the season rolls around, as well.
"Oh, yeah. I'm sure it's going to be great," Etta said. "I know you guys were there for the national championship season. We had, like, 6 D-tackles rotating. And from what I can understand, that's kind of -- I feel like we could do that this year. We have so many guys, even the young guys, like Deyvid Palepale, Manuel Beigel, like, all those guys, they're coming along. It's just great to see.
"So, it's definitely a push because it's a lot of greatness in the room and a lot of future greatness. The young guys stepping up, like I said. So, they push me to be better. I push them. And, yeah, I think people will be surprised at what we got this year."
Though players like Palepale and Beigel could have been likely factors in the past as they enter year two, given that Michigan got grad transfers from Clemson and Alabama, their opportunity is likely a bit diminished. There has been a lot of fanfare surrounding Tré Williams and Damon Payne coming in, and according to Etta, both are as advertised.
"Yeah, both transfers, I think, have been great," Etta said. "Tré and Damon, they're great guys. Like I said, those guys, we're just in the meetings, locker rooms, just laughing, having fun, hanging out with them outside of here. Like, it's just great. And they've been really coming along.
"And they, yeah, they exceed expectations. Like, they look great. So, it's good because that's a challenge for me with great guys next to me. And that's also makes me feel good, like, kind of what you guys were saying earlier, like that depth going into the season. Like, we've got a lot of guys that can play. And I think we all proved that very early this spring. And we're just going to keep rolling into fall and keep rolling into the season. And a lot of people will be surprised."
Fans will get an opportunity to see the new-look defensive line in action on April 19 in the annual spring game in The Big House.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Younger tackles, transfers standing out for Michigan football spring
Continue reading...
Now, the Wolverines are looking to reload with Graham and Grant off to the NFL, and though Rayshaun Benny is thought to be of the same caliber of player, will there be others who step up for the maize and blue?
One player expected to take a big step forward is junior Enow Etta. Part of what's expected to be a deep rotation, perhaps six players deep, Etta says it isn't just he, Benny, the two incoming transfers, Trey Pierce, and Ike Iwunnah who could make an impact, but there are other younger players who could be in the mix once the season rolls around, as well.
"Oh, yeah. I'm sure it's going to be great," Etta said. "I know you guys were there for the national championship season. We had, like, 6 D-tackles rotating. And from what I can understand, that's kind of -- I feel like we could do that this year. We have so many guys, even the young guys, like Deyvid Palepale, Manuel Beigel, like, all those guys, they're coming along. It's just great to see.
"So, it's definitely a push because it's a lot of greatness in the room and a lot of future greatness. The young guys stepping up, like I said. So, they push me to be better. I push them. And, yeah, I think people will be surprised at what we got this year."
Though players like Palepale and Beigel could have been likely factors in the past as they enter year two, given that Michigan got grad transfers from Clemson and Alabama, their opportunity is likely a bit diminished. There has been a lot of fanfare surrounding Tré Williams and Damon Payne coming in, and according to Etta, both are as advertised.
"Yeah, both transfers, I think, have been great," Etta said. "Tré and Damon, they're great guys. Like I said, those guys, we're just in the meetings, locker rooms, just laughing, having fun, hanging out with them outside of here. Like, it's just great. And they've been really coming along.
"And they, yeah, they exceed expectations. Like, they look great. So, it's good because that's a challenge for me with great guys next to me. And that's also makes me feel good, like, kind of what you guys were saying earlier, like that depth going into the season. Like, we've got a lot of guys that can play. And I think we all proved that very early this spring. And we're just going to keep rolling into fall and keep rolling into the season. And a lot of people will be surprised."
Fans will get an opportunity to see the new-look defensive line in action on April 19 in the annual spring game in The Big House.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Younger tackles, transfers standing out for Michigan football spring
Continue reading...
