At this time last year, the main question surrounding Michigan’s football program was how the Wolverines were going to replace production on the defensive line after Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo left the program.
Those questions were quickly answered thanks to a breakout year for Mike Morris in an expanded defense role.
After a 2023 campaign that ended with his declaration for the 2023 NFL Draft, questions have returned around the program over Morris’ production replacement and interior defensive lineman Mazi Smith.
As for his position group, however, Morris has high hopes the returning players will take a big step forward.
“In the EDGE group, I have no idea because there are so many great guys,” Morris told reporters during the NFL Combine when asked who’s coming in next season. “Some good guys are coming in as freshmen too, freshmen who are really good. Some juniors who are seniors who are going to step up. We’re at the U tip. There will be one person every year coming up.”
When pressed to single out players who would step up in defense, Morris was quick to single out two players who have also seen their roles increase this season and who will be looking to take their games to another level.
“I have two guys,” Morris said. “Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor. Really excited to see what they can do. Jaylen is a SAM who can rush the passer to third and Braiden is an athletic freak. I think both are going to do really, really well. Jaylen J’ stepped up when I was injured in the Purdue game Braiden had a lot of good shots this year as well and came on in the Michigan State game with the sack I feel like the two can do very great things.
—
Discuss this article with our community on our premium message boards
Not a Maize & Blue Review subscriber? Sign up today to access all the latest Michigan Intel information M&BR has to offer
Follow our staff on Twitter: @JoshHenschke, @Berry_Seth14, @TrevorMcCue, @DennisFithian, @BrockHeilig, @JimScarcelli, @lucasreimink, @JaredHalus
Subscribe to our podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify
Check out Maize & Blue Review video content on YouTube
Follow Maize & Blue Review on social networks: Facebook, TwitterTikTok and Instagram
#MaizeBlueReview #Mike #Morris #future #Michigans #defensive #line #edge #rush
