It’s still early, but Michigan football players aren’t saying much about the new defense under first-year coordinator Mike Macdonald.
The Wolverines’ spring practice schedule began more than a week ago in Ann Arbor — the start of a long, arduous offseason that will be spent installing the looks, formations and plays responsible for keeping the unit competitive.
Last month, in his first interview since taking the job under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the 33-year-old Macdonald offered few specifics. He said Michigan’s defense would be “multiple,” incorporating zone coverage with the man principles and pressure looks that distinguished the group in years past.
Like their coach, players offered few details on Tuesday.
“We’re installing things every other day,” senior safety Brad Hawkins said. “I think we’re probably on install No. 4. We’re still learning as a group — going out there and getting better every single day, learning new concepts, new things. It’s very exciting.”
More: New-look Michigan coaching staff has players ‘fired up’
As for what those new concepts are, well, Hawkins either can’t quite tell just yet — or didn’t want to go into detail.
“Just different varieties of things. Different positions,” Hawkins said. “Everybody’s interchangeable and playing all over the field. A lot of players around the ball.”
Versatility is nothing new to the Michigan defenders. Previous coordinator Don Brown — dismissed in December after Michigan’s defense experienced a sharp decline in 2020, to 84th nationally in yards allowed per game (429.3) — utilized a “sam” linebacker that acted more as an edge rusher, designed to put pressure on the quarterback early and often. There was also a do-it-all “viper” linebacker who could drop back in coverage and rush the line. Whether those two positions will still be utilized in Macdonald’s system remain unclear.
But what we do know is where Macdonald came from. His previous team, the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, often used a 3-4 front that relied heavily on versatile linebackers and a mix of zone and man coverage.
“A lot of different concepts, terminology,” Hawkins said. “Just playing different types of coverages and being all over the field, moving around.”
More: Sidelined by injury, DL Aidan Hutchinson could be full-go soon
Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson did, however, give us a glimpse as to how he might be utilized this fall. Hutchinson still hasn’t fully recovered from an ankle fracture last season, but encouraged folks to flip on a Ravens game of the past and zone in on the edge rushers. That’s how he envisions playing under Macdonald.
“Coach Mac has brought in a multitude of different schemes, so I’m going to be doing everything this year,” Hutchinson said. “Standing up, hand in the dirt — you name it.”
On the topic of Macdonald, players describe the first-year coordinator as “energetic” who’s bounced around to the various position groups during practice. Hutchinson spoke of a focused demeanor, a man who presents himself in a professional and serious manner.
“You could tell he’s been in the league for the past eight years. He’s kind of got that way about him,” Hutchinson said. “I remember when I first met him — he’s very precise with his words and very articulate. The guy just sounds like he knows what he’s doing. But yeah, he’s very focused — and you can just tell that about him.”
Read more on Michigan football:
Michigan players turn over new leaf after disappointing 2020 season
RB Hassan Haskins a big fan of new assistant Mike Hart
Michigan walk-on QB commit has already beaten the odds
Offseason reset: U-M has decisions to make at linebacker
LB Cam McGrone among Mel Kiper’s ‘underrated’ NFL draft prospects
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Michigan football players coy on early defensive changes - MLive.com
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