Michigan football defensive line unit ranked in top-3 ahead of 2023 season

The Michigan football defensive line has been impressive year in and year out under current head coach Jim Harbaugh, who is heading into his 9th season as head coach in Ann Arbor. This week, the Wolverines’ defensive line was ranked among the top-3 in the nation ahead of the 2023 season this fall by On3, which is one of the most well-known college football media outlets in the world.

Top 10 CFB Defensive Line Unit Rankings per @JesseReSimonton👀

Do you agree? 🤔https://t.co/gYBmxCUUTT pic.twitter.com/0O4hIFcnVA

— On3 (@On3sports) May 8, 2023

Michigan football defensive line earns top-3 ranking ahead of the 2023 season

Despite losing some major contributors from last year’s unit, the 2023 Michigan football defensive line is shaping up nicely thus far and should be every bit as dangerous as it has been over the previous few seasons. On top of that, Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines are targeting a number of top-ranked defensive linemen in the transfer portal, which could add some key depth and a few new faces to the room ahead of the fall opener in early September.

Three of Michigan’s top defensive line contributors from the 2022 season — Ebayi Okie, Mike Morris, and Mazi Smith — have all left the program via the NFL Draft or the transfer portal. In their place will be some impressive returning faces and more, including Kris Jenkins (defensive tackle) and Braiden McGregor (defensive end).

Impressively, the Michigan football defensive line is ranked No. 2 in On3’s preseason defensive line rankings. Michigan is one of five Big Ten D-lines to break the top 10 and comes in second only behind the Alabama Crimson Tide. Additionally, Penn State (4) and Ohio State (10) are also named on the list, which further proves how stacked the Big Ten East truly is this fall. Michigan will travel to State College for a road matchup with the Nittany Lions in mid-November and will face Ohio State at home for the final game of the regular season this fall — both games will be won in the trenches.

ON3’s reasoning

Here is On3’s explanation for ranking the Michigan football defensive line at No. 2 ahead of the 2023 season this fall:

“Despite continued losses to the NFL (Mazi Smith and Mike Morris), the Wolverines’ DL should be a team strength once again in 2023. They had the best rush defense in the Big Ten last season, and with Kris Jenkins back to punish guards, coupled with the return of massive nose tackle Kenneth Grant ( 6-3, 360 pounds) and tackle Mason Graham, they should once again be super hard to run on.  At pass rusher, second-year coordinator Jesse Minter has a nice mix of options to work with, as Jaylen Harrell and Derrick Moore should see more snaps, but the Wolverines also have the luxury of adding former Coastal Carolina All-Conference performer Josiah Stewart to the mix.  Stewart was one of the stars of Michigan’s spring game and is just two seasons removed from recording 12.5 sacks and 15.5 TFLs for the Chanticleers.”

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