Michigan football defensive line working to fix key issue

Even though the 2022 Michigan football defensive line performed at an elite level, helping the Wolverines capture a second-straight Big Ten title and College Football Playoff berth, there were some notable issues throughout the season. One of the most talked about problems that last year’s defense had was communicating — things were unorganized from time to time, leading to missed assignments and more. That said, rising defensive line standouts Mason Graham and Braiden McGregor claim that these issues are being addressed heading into the 2023 season.

Michigan football defensive line working to address issues with communication

Earlier this week, sophomore defensive tackle Mason Graham, who stood out as a true freshman last fall, was asked about how the Wolverines are looking to get back on the same page when it comes to the defensive tackles and edge rushers.

“I would say this year we’re meeting a lot more with the edge guys,” Mason Graham said when asked about the communication mishaps along the Michigan football defensive line. “We’re having more full unit meetings, more D-line unit meetings, so I feel like we’re on more of the same page over the last year. We had a lot of miscues last year, miscommunication on some plays, stuff like that.”

Additionally, earlier in fall camp, senior edge rusher Briaden McGregor — who is expected to take on a huge role for the Michigan football defense this year — was asked the same thing from an edge rusher’s perspective.

“I think we’ve made huge strides in that aspect of just meeting together more to understand each other,” Braiden McGregor explained. “What one tackle likes, the other one might not like. So just working with games with them and being able to know like, okay, I got Kris (Jenkins), this is what he liked, Mason (Graham), this what he likes– and just being able to be on the same page has definitely helped us a lot in our pass rush this year.”

If the 2023 Michigan football defensive line can get back on the same page, it could quickly become one of the best of the Jim Harbaugh era. Seeing as the Wolverines have had a few elite defensive lines over the past few years, that is quite a scary thought for opposing offenses as the new season draws near.

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