Michigan’s Linebackers Went From Biggest Concern to Defensive Strength, and Jay Hill Is Watching Five Or Six Dudes Eat.

The Michigan football defense just got a major shot in the arm. Wolverines defensive coordinator Jay Hill just dropped the news that the linebacker position, which was a huge worry earlier in the year, is now their most improved defensive group. This is massive because Michigan football head coach Kyle Whittingham had previously flagged linebacker inexperience as one of his biggest concerns heading into fall camp, right alongside cornerback depth. Well, guess what? Halfway through camp, it looks like both those problems are getting solved.

LB Depth Is a ‘Good Problem’

Hill is absolutely buzzing about the linebackers. He said he feels comfortable putting five or six different guys on the field in games! That is serious depth. He’d love to see a couple of them completely lock down those starting spots, but honestly, having this many talented guys pushing each other? That’s what you call a “good problem.” It shows the kind of intense competition happening out there. Names like Nathaniel Staehling, Chase Taylor, Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, Troy Bowles, Max Alford, and Aisea Moa are all playing at a high level, making this unit a force.

Corners and DBs Showing Up

It is not just the linebackers turning heads, either. Hill is also seeing “solid depth develop” at cornerback behind the four guys they already know are starting-caliber. That is huge for their secondary, giving them more flexibility and options. The only spot they still need some dudes to step up is those fifth, sixth, and seventh corner and safety spots. Someone needs to solidify those roles in the defensive backfield. But the trajectory is clear, the defense is getting better every day. Hill credits it to the players getting a deeper “knowledge of the scheme, the culture, the run of the football, the hitting, the tackling.”

It sounds like this Michigan defense is finding its swagger. With the linebackers transforming from a question mark into a full-blown strength, and the corners building up real depth, they are looking to build something special in fall camp.

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Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.