Michigan football D-line will be even better than expected

It’s easy to be a little concerned about the upcoming Michigan football season. Some of the best players in the history of the program walked out the door to the NFL. So did the program’s greatest head coach.

Sherrone Moore seems up to the task though. You never really know, but we did get a sneak peek. He was steady against Penn State and Ohio State — in huge moments — with a national championship season on the line.

There’s a reason Harbaugh had so much confidence in Moore and truly, outside of Harbaugh himself, no one played a bigger role in all of Michigan’s recent success than Moore. The DCs were on par, but Moore’s work with the offensive line was just as transformative.

That should continue and I wrote recently about how Michigan football’s offensive line is going to be a weapon again. Even with five new starters (technically), I don’t see a ton of dropoff. That’s how much talent there is. It’s also a reflection of Moore and Grant Newsome or at least what I think of their ability to develop talent.

Michigan football D-line will be better than expected

If the offensive line is elite or at least one of the best in the Big Ten and the defensive line is the best in the Big Ten, that’s a formula to at least contend for the conference title. Yet, I have a suspicion that the defensive line will exceed expectations — even as high as they are.

The reason is simple: Derrick Moore.

Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant are both being talked about as projected first-round picks. Josaiah Stewart is another guy who should be drafted early but if Derrick Moore has the kind of season I think he can have, he might go as early as any of them.

Moore had five sacks last season. He’s got seven during his first two seasons and in a larger role in 2024, he’s going to dominate. Offensive lines are going to be focused on the interior — dealing with two elite interior pass rushers and Moore will benefit.

The former top-100 recruit could be the next double-digit sack artist for the Wolverines. Beyond the starters, you have guys like Rayshaun Benny, Enow Etta, TJ Guy, Aymeric Koumba, Cameron Brandt, and more who are ready to make a name for themselves.

But Michigan’s front four might have four dudes good enough to be drafted on the first two days of the 2025 NFL draft. The Wolverines could have three first-rounders on the D-line alone (EDGE included) and if that’s the case, this team should be in the mix for a Big Ten title when all is said and done. Maybe even more.

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