Michigan Wolverines defensive back Zeke Berry (10) during Michigan footballs Spring Game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 19 2025.

Note: This is the third installment in MLive’s “Things We Learned” series, recapping some of the biggest storylines around Michigan football ahead of the 2025 season. Part I was on Bryce Underwood and the quarterbacks, while Part II focused in on new coordinator Chip Lindsey and early claims the Wolverines might throw the ball more this year.

Wink Martindale knew what he was walking into in spring 2024.

Michigan was coming off a national championship and without some of its key contributors that made the defense a powerhouse. Names like Mike Sainristil, Mike Barrett, Junior Colson and Jaylen Harrell had moved on, creating the need for more seasoned help.

And while Martindale had some high-level talent at his disposal — Will Johnson was back, and so was Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant at d-tackle — he also recognized a need for more. There was a lack of depth, he realized, and quickly warned the stars they would be called on to play more snaps than they had grown used to.

The Wolverines saw a dip in play from their defense, particularly on the back end, where the secondary went through some growing pains during the first half of the season and wound up ranking 63rd nationally in passing yards allowed (216.3 per game). They were prone to coverage breakdowns and big plays that cost them in losses to Texas, Oregon and Washington.

Michigan Wolverines Rayshaun Benny (26) waits for the next play to be called during Michigan footballs Spring Game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

By the end of the 2024 season, Martindale and his staff had settled in — making a pair of shrewd moves on the back end, moving Zeke Berry and safety Makari Paige outside, to help pull off shocking upsets over Ohio State and Alabama. Despite allowing an average of nearly 20 points per game, the unit was top-10 nationally in total yards (307) — a figure boosted by an exceptional rush defense.

Now in 2025, Michigan is tasked with having to replace three starters up front — Graham, Grant and edge rusher Josaiah Stewart, who emerged as one of the nation’s best last year — and a collection of experience on the back end. While Martindale and his staff felt good about who was returning (Rayshaun Benny at d-tackle, T.J. Guy and Derrick Moore at edge rusher), they went out and added reinforcements via the transfer portal. Experienced tackles Damon Payne (Alabama) and Tre Williams (Clemson) were brought in to help take the load off Benny, Trey Piece, Enow Etta and Ike Iwunnah.

“It’ll be more waves than it’ll be (riding guys),” Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito said in the spring. “We’re being very systematic in how we do our rotations.”

The middle is just as experienced, with veterans Ernest Hausmann, Jaishawn Barham and Jimmy Rolder expected to eat up most of the snaps at linebacker. Michigan was elite in 2023, in part, because it had two productive, high-level middle linebackers. That could be the case again this fall, with Barham taking on more pass-rushing responsibilities.

Even the secondary, while lacking proven, high-level talent, is expected to show improvement. Michigan is counting on big things from Zeke Bery and Jyaire Hill, both of whom showed flashes at cornerback a season ago. Safeties Mason Curtis and Brandyn Hillman are expected to step up their play. Meanwhile, the Wolverines added experienced defensive backs T.J. Metcalf (Arkansas) and Caleb Anderson (Louisiana) via the transfer portal. Metcalf impressed in the spring and is in position to start at Michigan’s critical nickel spot, though finding depth there was important, too.

Michigan defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale coaches the Blue team during Michigan footballs Spring Game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Maize team defeated Blue 17-7.

“Zeke (Berry) played it earlier in the year, then the last four to five games Makari (Paige) played it and probably had some of the best games he had at Michigan doing that,” defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan said. “I just think we’ve got to try and create depth. The best way to do that is to find roles for the current guys on your team.”

Don’t forget about returning safety Rod Moore. If healthy, Moore could easily be the best of the bunch and help make Michigan’s back end one of the best in the Big Ten. Fifth-year senior Ja’Den McBurrows is also back, giving the Wolverines another plug-and-play vet. Freshman Shamari Earls remains an intriguing prospect as well.

A quick scan of the roster this year shows more plug-and-play options for Michigan. There might not be that bonafide NFL first-round talent, but there’s enough talent to make it work. Snap counts at the college level matter, and having enough fresh players with minimal drop off in talent can impact games late.

That’s what Michigan is banking on this fall. And with improved play on offense expected, the Wolverines can return to the complementary style that helped it dominate the conference the previous three years.

“I know we got some next-day draft picks, sitting there, ready to go,” Martindale said in March. “I can say that confidently with the guys that we have. And we have more depth in every room.”